Title 11 Agriculture, Livestock and Other Animals

11-19-405. Control of brucellosis; governor authorized to negotiate with federal agencies.

(a) To preserve the brucellosis-free status of this state, the governor shall enter into negotiations with any relevant parties including appropriate federal agencies and tribes of the regions adjacent to Wyoming on steps necessary to ensure brucellosis is not passed from wildlife to livestock. (b) The governor may direct any state agency to take any actions needed to ensure brucellosis does not spread from wildlife to livestock. (c) In the event of a confirmed outbreak of brucellosis, the governor may authorize the state veterinarian, with the approval of the Wyoming livestock board, to require brucellosis testing of all test eligible bovine or domestic bison at the farm or ranch of origin or any licensed Wyoming livestock market prior to a change of ownership for a period of up to eighteen (18) months. At the end of the required testing period, the state veterinarian shall review the testing requirement and may reimpose brucellosis testing for one (1) or more successive periods under this subsection if there is deemed by the state veterinarian to be a threat to Wyoming's brucellosis free status or if the state is designated as brucellosis class A or lower status. (d) The state veterinarian may direct any Wyoming brand inspector to withhold a brand inspection for movement or change of ownership to any person who has not shown evidence of any required brucellosis test. (e) As part of the state brucellosis surveillance and prevention program, the state veterinarian may require brucellosis testing of any test eligible bovine or domestic bison at any licensed Wyoming livestock market at any time. Failure to comply shall result in a suspension of the livestock market's license. (f) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be punished as provided by W.S. 11-1-103.