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Animal Health: Proposed Revisions to animal importation, animal testing, and disease reporting (18 AAC 36)

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated August 6, 2020 at 1 p.m.

These FAQs will be updated as additional written questions are received.

Click/tap the question below to see the answer.

What are the main changes I should be aware of and how will the changes impact animal health?
The amendment proposes changes to the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with Animal Health. The revisions include:
  • 18 AAC 36.015 (a): DEC intends to require health certificates or certificates of veterinary inspection to have a unique number that is trackable and traceable;
  • 18 AAC 36.125 (a)(5): adds requirement that if a goat is over 2 months of age, has tested negative for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae within 60 days of import;
  • 18 AAC 36.135 (a)(1): clarifies requirement for genetic testing of sheep;
  • 18 AAC 36.135 (a)(6): adds requirement that if a sheep is over 2 months of age, has tested negative for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae within 60 days of import;
  • 18 AAC 36.215 (b) through (f): repeals and readopts to make conforming edits and clarifications, and adds/removes diseases from those listed. (See question 3 for detailed changes)
  • 18 AAC 36.215: amended by adding a new subsection dealing with reporting emerging pathogens.
  • 18 AAC 36.500 (f): amended by updating from the 2013 to the 2020 version of the adopted by reference American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals.
Why require health certificates and certificates of veterinary inspection under 18 AAC 36.015 (a) to have a traceable and trackable number?
In recent years, the Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) has seen an increase in certificate forgeries. This may be due to advancements in technology and online accessibility to certificate templates. Requireing a traceable and trackable number will allow the OSV to authenticate certificates
What diseases are added/removed in 18 AAC 36.215(b) through (f)?
  • 18 AAC 36.215 (b): repeals and readopts to make conforming edits and clarifications, and adds to list of diseases, including:
    • Akabane disease;
    • Hendra virus disease;
    • Leishmaniasis;
    • Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV, RHDVa, RHVD2);
    • Seneca Valley virus.
  • 18 AAC 36.215 (c): repeals and readots to make conforming edits and clarifications, and adds to list of diseases, including:
    • bovine babesiosis;
    • cattle fever tick (Boophilus annulatus, B. microplus);
    • contagious foot rot;
    • duck virus enteritis [previously located in (e) of this section];
    • porcine coronaviruses (PEDv, TGE, Delta);
    • low pathogenic avian influenza (H5 and H7 subtypes);
    • theileriosis;
    • trichomonosis.
  • 18 AAC 36.215 (d): repeals and readopts to make conforming edits and clrifications. The disease "laryngotracheitis" was removed and replaced with "avian laryngotracheitis," and alphabetized in this subsection.
  • 18 AAC 36.215 (e): repeals and readopts to make conforming edits and clarifications, and adds to and removes from list of diseases, including:
    • Adds:
      • Cryptococcus gatti;
      • Mycoplasma ovipneumonia in any cloven hoofed species;
      • turkey rhinotracheitis (avian pneumovirus).
    • Removes:
      • duck viral enteritis [now located in (c) of this section];
      • infectious hematopoietic necrosis (fish disease required reportable to ADF&G).
  • 18 AAC 36.215 (f): repeals and readopts to make conforming edits and clarifications, and adds to and removes from list of diseases, including:
    • Adds:
      • Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (pigeon fever);
      • cryptosporidiosis;
      • myxomatosis;
      • vesicular exanthema.
    • Removes:
      • bovine leucosis;
      • coccidiosis (clinical cases only);
      • infectious mastitis in cattle or goats;
      • leptospirosis.
Why require Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae testing of sheep and goats older than 2 months of age?
Testing at 2 months and older is based on recommendations from Washington Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Washington State University. Lambs and kids typically remain unifected with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae for a considerable time after birth. Data shows this is typically about 2 months, although in some herds can be 6 months or longer.
Why is the method of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae testing left undefined?
This is consistent with other animal import testing requirement set out in regulations and allows for veterinarians' professional discretion when new diagnostic methods are developed.
When will these changes take effect?
These changes will take effect 30 days after Lt. Governor signs the updated regulation package, which is anticipated fall 2020.
How do I submit comments on these proposed regulations?
Comments from the public and the regulated industry on the proposed regulation changes may be submitted in several ways, including:
  • Online: Submit Comments
  • Mail: Shannon Miller, Department of Environmental Conservation, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99577
  • Email: shannon.miller@alaska.gov
  • Fax: 907-269-7654
  • The comments must be received not later than 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2020.
  • We do not respond individually to comments on proposed regulations changes. After we have a chance to review the written comments received and then consider them in deciding what changes (if any) to make in our regulations, we will prepare a summary of the comments and our responses to them, which will be mailed to everyone who submits a timely written comment on the proposed changes and provides a return mailing address.
  • If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Kate Orozco by email at kate.orozco@alaska.gov or by phone at 907-465-6171 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 not later than September 18, 2020 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
What if I have another question that is not answered here?
DEC will respond to questions that are relevant to the proposed changes if the questions are received in writing at least ten days before the end of the public comment period. If questions are submitted after that, we may, but we are not required to, respond to those questions. The questions and answers will be available on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website. One consolidated answer may be provided for a group of questions that are similar, as appropriate.

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