(a) Collecting samples.

(1) Individual blood collection devices shall be used for each animal.

(2) Each animal shall be individually identified by official eartag or backtag or individual registration tattoo or brand. The individual identification must be recorded on the test record to identify the corresponding blood sample.

(3) Tubes containing blood samples will be numbered in sequence. There will be a gap of one or more numbers between the last number assigned to a herd or unit and the first number assigned to the next her or unit.

(b) Performing the card test.

(1) A clean pipette and stirrer shall be used for each sample tested.

(2) Positive and negative check samples will be kept available at all times to check antigen being used.

(3) Antigen will be kept refrigerated.

(4) Antigen will not be used past the expiration date shown on the bottle.

(5) Mechanical rockers will be used to rotate the card. Timers will be used to read results of the card test at four-minute intervals.

(6) The card test will be run in an area where the sample is protected from wind and blowing dust.

(7) The authorized person who ran the card test will record the results of the card test on the appropriate test document (4-54, 4-33, or Texas Animal Health Commission Certificate of Veterinary Inspection). Actual test results for all cattle tested will be recorded at the time of the test.

(c) Market testing.

(1) Each animal tested at a livestock market will be identified with an official eartag and official backtag at the time of blood collection. At the time of test, each official eartag and backtag number will be recorded on the 4-54 market test record.

(2) The authorized person will not conduct the card test at a livestock market until complete ownership information and backtag identification have been provided by the market.

(3) Livestock market card tests will be conducted in a designated area with sufficient lighting.

(4) The authorized person interpreting the card test will immediately report all positive test results to the state-federal market inspector by means of the completed 4-54 market test record.

(d) Submission of samples.

(1) Blood samples may be submitted to a state-federal laboratory without prior field card testing.

(2) All blood samples and corresponding test records will be mailed or delivered to a state-federal laboratory within 48 hours after collection. Blood samples may be placed in a mail depository Monday through Saturday. Samples that would normally be mailed on weekends in which a federal holiday is on Friday or Monday shall be refrigerated and mailed the following work day.

(3) The number of samples submitted for confirmation testing which are untestable because of adulteration, hemolysis or insufficient serum must not exceed 5.0% of samples submitted during the previous six-month period nor more than 30% in any one submission.

(4) There must be no more than three discrepancies in confirmation test results disclosed over a six-month period where the laboratory results are positive for samples that were reported negative by the individual conducting the test.

Source Note: The provisions of this §47.13 adopted to be effective February 4, 2014, 39 TexReg 486