Part IV. Production Units
2VAC5-195-140. Production unit licensing and training requirements.
The provisions of this section shall become effective November 19, 2006.
Production units shall apply to the State Veterinarian for a license to operate in Virginia. A premises identification number shall be assigned. The premises identification number shall be recorded on the license to operate.
Production units shall allow the State Veterinarian access to records upon request. Testing for AI shall be conducted by the State Veterinarian.
Requirements for issuance of a license to a production unit are the applicant's agreement to comply with the requirements of this regulation and Virginia's Avian Influenza Proclamation, development and implementation of a written biosecurity plan approved by the State Veterinarian, consent to an initial, random and at least quarterly inspection of the production unit and consent for the State Veterinarian to review all records relating to the production unit.
Failure of the production unit to satisfactorily comply with any of the licensing requirements shall result in the denial of a license to operate in Virginia.
When the State Veterinarian determines that a licensed production unit no longer meets the requirements of this regulation, such license shall be suspended until such time that deficiencies have been corrected to the satisfaction of the State Veterinarian.
Production unit personnel shall attend training provided or approved by the State Veterinarian. Such training shall include disease recognition and biosecurity requirements. A certificate of training shall be provided by the trainer and maintained with the production unit's personnel records.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-6023 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. November 19, 2006; Errata, 23:3 VA.R. 510 October 16, 2006.
2VAC5-195-150. Production unit bird testing and recordkeeping.
Production unit birds shall originate from a negative AI flock and shall bear or be accompanied by identification to a premises of origin. The categories of production units and the testing requirements for each category are as specified in the "USDA Uniform Standards for a State-Federal-Industry Cooperative Program, October 20, 2004."
Samples for AI testing may be collected by state or federal animal health technicians, veterinary medical officers, accredited veterinarians, or others so designated by the State Veterinarian.
The production unit shall maintain AI flock test records as well as records of bird purchases and transfers for 12 months from the date the bird left the production unit. A copy of the form to be used may be obtained from the State Veterinarian.
Production unit birds loaded for transportation shall be identified by premises of origin and shall contain a lot number that will distinguish the shipment from others. The production unit shall record this information on the test certificate that will be provided to the distribution unit.
A production unit shall not sell its birds directly to LBMs unless the production unit is also licensed as a distribution unit in Virginia. A production unit licensed as a distribution unit in Virginia shall locate the C&D equipment at a site approved by the State Veterinarian.
Production unit premises with birds that test positive for AI shall be quarantined while results are being confirmed. Positive AI flocks shall be tested using a virus-detection procedure.
Production unit premises that are confirmed positive for AI shall be depopulated and shall undergo C&D. The State Veterinarian shall approve depopulation and disposal methods. Such depopulation and disposal shall be accomplished by production unit personnel. The premises shall then be inspected and retested. The production unit shall have a negative AI environmental test before restocking. If approved by the State Veterinarian, controlled slaughter may be directed as a method of depopulation.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-6023 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. August 21, 2006.
2VAC5-195-160. Production unit sanitation and biosecurity requirements.
A production unit shall keep its unit, conveyances, bird-holding devices, and other equipment clean and sanitary.
A written biosecurity protocol approved by the State Veterinarian shall be developed and practiced by the production unit.
Production units shall have state-approved equipment available for C&D of premises, conveyances, and crates. Production units shall maintain records of downtime and C&D for 12 months after distribution of the birds in the live-bird marketing system.
Production units shall notify the State Veterinarian of dates and times of scheduled pickups by distribution units at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled pickups.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-6023 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. August 21, 2006.
2VAC5-195-170. Production unit surveillance.
Production unit premises shall be subject to random inspections by the State Veterinarian to ensure that premises, conveyances, and coops are clean and sanitary. Random samples for AI testing may be collected from birds or the environment at the time of inspection. The production unit shall provide records for review during production unit inspections.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-6023 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. August 21, 2006.
2VAC5-195-180. Handling of production unit positive laboratory results.
Production unit bird samples positive for AI shall be submitted to the NVSL for confirmation. The premises shall be quarantined until results are obtained from the NVSL.
Production unit premises with AI-positive birds confirmed by the NVSL shall remain under quarantine. All records shall be presented to the State Veterinarian for epidemiologic investigation. The birds shall be depopulated and the premises shall undergo C&D by employees of the production unit, under the supervision of the State Veterinarian.
The State Veterinarian may require depopulation and disposal any time multiple positive AI screening tests are reported, without waiting for NVSL confirmation.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-6023 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. August 21, 2006.