Code of Colorado Regulations
1200 - Department of Agriculture
1201 - Animal Health Division
8 CCR 1201-19 - LIVESTOCK DISEASE CONTROL
Part 6 - Sheep Brucellosis

6.1.1. "Approved laboratory" means a laboratory approved by the State Veterinarian to conduct testing for Brucella ovis.

6.1.2. "Approved test" means a test approved by the State Veterinarian for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis in test eligible rams.

6.1.3. "Brucella ovis exposed ram" means any test negative or untested test eligible ram which has been in contact with a ram that tests positive to approved test within the last 30 days.

6.1.4. "Brucella ovis positive eartag" means an ear tag used to identify rams that test positive to an approved Brucella ovis test. The design and color of the Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag shall be approved by the State Veterinarian and shall be supplied through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

6.1.5. "Brucella ovis positive ram" means a ram that tests positive to an approved Brucella ovis test.

6.1.6. "Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag" means an ear tag used to identify Brucella ovis exposed rams or untested rams. The design and color of the Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag shall be approved by the State Veterinarian and shall be supplied through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

6.1.7. "Indeterminate Test Results" means an ELISA Test with results in a low positive range that does not verify infection status.

6.1.8. "Official Test" means a test to detect the presence of Brucella ovis that is approved by the Colorado State Veterinarian.

6.1.9. "PCR Test" means the Polymerase Chain Reaction test used on semen from Brucella ovis indeterminate rams and low positive rams.

6.1.10. "Slaughter only back tag" means a back tag provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to livestock markets which is applied to rams presented for sale without a B. ovis test.

6.1.11. "Test eligible ram" means any ram six months of age and older.

6.2.1. All test eligible rams that are transferred, leased, or loaned for breeding purposes shall be tested prior to any such transfer, lease, or loan.

6.2.2. All samples must be submitted to an approved laboratory for testing.

6.2.3. Official identification of the rams must be recorded and accompany all samples to the approved laboratory for both official and unofficial testing.

6.2.4. Official tests for Brucella ovis: All sample collection for interstate or intrastate sale or transfer of breeding rams must be performed by or under the supervision of an accredited veterinarian.

6.2.5. Unofficial tests for Brucella ovis: An owner may collect samples from rams and have the samples tested at an approved laboratory. This method of sample collection cannot be used for sale or transfer of breeding rams or to qualify rams.

6.2.6. Only a test methodology approved by the State Veterinarian may be used.

6.3.1. No person may transfer, lease, or loan a ram six months or older for breeding purposes in the state of Colorado unless said ram has been tested for Brucella ovis within 30 days prior to the date of the transfer, lease, or loan and unless such test result is negative. It is the responsibility of the buyer to obtain necessary official test records from the seller at the time of transfer, lease, or loan.

6.3.2. No Brucella ovis exposed ram may be transferred, leased, or loaned for breeding purposes within Colorado unless all exposed rams in the flock test negative, are sent to slaughter, or are castrated in accordance with provisions of Part 6.5.2 of these rules.

6.4.1. All test eligible rams that arrive at market without proof of an official negative Brucella ovis test, as in Part 6.2.4. completed within 30 days of the sale date, shall be identified with an official Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag, with a "slaughter only" back tag, or with a paint brand on the top of the back. This brand shall be a "Q" not less than 4 inches in height.

6.4.2. Rams arriving at market without official identification shall have an official identification device applied.

6.5.1. All confirmed test positive Brucella ovis rams and all exposed rams shall be immediately placed under quarantine and remain under quarantine until such positive rams are castrated, are sent to slaughter or transferred to a slaughter channel feedlot. Exposed rams remaining on the premises shall stay under quarantine until they have had two negative tests that are at least 45 days apart and after last exposure to positive rams.

6.5.2. Upon completion of the above requirements and receipt of the following information the State Veterinarian may release the quarantine.

6.6.1. Prior to transfer, lease, or loan any Brucella ovis exposed rams and all untested rams six months of age or older shall be identified by the following methods:

6.6.2. Any ram found to be positive on an approved test for Brucella ovis shall be identified with an official Brucella ovis positive ear tag. All positive rams shall be sold directly to slaughter or slaughter channel feedlots, or be castrated, and then may be sold or moved without restriction.