A flock classification of "Texas pullorum-typhoid certified" is established to recognize and identify those flocks that are free of pullorum disease and fowl typhoid.
  (1) A flock of poultry may attain this status by meeting the requirements of one of three alternatives. The alternatives are the following.
    (A) A flock may attain this status when each chicken or turkey breeder flock 16 weeks of age or older and other poultry approaching sexual maturity, and before eggs are hatching, has been tested by an approved serological testing procedure, conducted by authorized Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) personnel, with no positive reactors.
    (B) A flock may attain this status when it is a flock originating from Texas pullorum-typhoid certified flocks, United States pullorum-typhoid clean, or the equivalent to that specified by the National Poultry Improvement Plan by one of the methods described in §162.3 of this title (relating to Methods of Compliance).
    (C) A flock found to be infected with pullorum disease may attain this status by two consecutive negative tests not less than 21 days apart provided that all eligible poultry on the premises have been included in such tests. These flocks must be retested one year from the date of their last negative test (100% test).
  (2) A flock of poultry which has been certified may be recertified each year under this system if there is no serological or other evidence of pullorum disease or fowl typhoid and all birds added to the flock are United States pullorum-typhoid clean, Texas pullorum-typhoid certified, or the equivalent.
  (3) Any hatchery in the state must be approved by TVMDL. Hatcheries desiring approval must be inspected and approved by a representative of TVMDL. Factors which will be considered by TVMDL in the approval process include physical facilities, hatchery sanitation, the source and identification of all hatching eggs, and the cleaning, disinfecting, and biosecurity practices of the hatchery. Only eggs or products from flocks which meet the United States pullorum-typhoid clean status, according to the National Poultry Improvement Plan or a Texas pullorum-typhoid certified flock or hatchery or equivalent, may be used by the hatchery. It is the responsibility of the hatchery management to require that only eggs from qualified flocks are placed in the incubators. Failure to enforce this requirement is a violation of the Pullorum-Typhoid Act and may result in quarantine and/or prosecution.
  (4) Approved hatcheries shall be subject to periodic inspections. Failure to meet the requirements of these regulations is cause for withdrawal of the approval status of the hatchery.

Source Note: The provisions of this §162.7 adopted to be effective November 16, 1993, 18 TexReg 7922.