Colorado Department of agriculturE 
Animal Industry Division
8 ccr 1201-19
livestock disease control
Part 9:	Trichomoniasis 
I.	Introduction
The purpose of this rule is to To prevent introduction and to control the spread of the bovine venereal disease Trichomoniasis, specifically Tritrichomonas foetus (Trichomonas fetus or (T. fetus) infection.  These rules concerning the control of Bovine Trichomoniasis are adopted pursuant to §§ 35-50-105(3)(a), (b), (c), (f), (h), (j), (n), (p), and (q), C.R.S. 35-50-101 C.R.S. (2004) and 35-1-106(g), 35-50-105 C.R.S. (2005) Powers and Duties of the Commissioner.
II.	Definitions
A.	ACCEPTABLE SPECIMEN means a specimen determined satisfactory for diagnostic testing by the testing laboratory, including complete documentation.
B.	ACCREDITED VETERINARIAN means an individual who is currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, in accordance with 9 Code of Federal Regulations § 161 (2002) in the state where that veterinarian practices.
C.	APPOVED FEEDLOT means a dry lot feeding facility approved by the State Veterinarian where positive T. fetus bulls or bovine females from a T. fetus positive herd may be fed prior to quarantine release or slaughter and where there is no sexual contact with the opposite sex Bovine. 
C D.	APPROVED LABORATORY means any laboratory designated and approved by the State Veterinarian for examining T. fetus samples.
D.	APPROVED VETERINARIAN means an accredited veterinarian who has attended trichomoniasis training that is approved by the Colorado State Veterinarian.  Such training must include preputial sampling, sample handling and shipping, appropriate record keeping, and official bull trichomoniasis identification.
E.	BOVINE means any sexually intact male and female animal of the genus Bos.
F.	CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY INSPECTION (CVI) shall have the same meaning as set forth in Part 1 of these rules, “Standards of Livestock Certificates of Veterinary Inspection.” means the form issued by the state of origin that records the consignor, consignee, identity, origin, destination, and health status of animals, issued by an accredited veterinarian of that state.  It is commonly known as a Health Certificate.
G.	COLORADO COMMUTER PERMIT means a permit issued by the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office to Colorado livestock producers who utilize pasture lands and other livestock operations in one or more multiple states that are contiguous to with Colorado.
H.	COMMINGLE as used in this context means having both male and female bovines that belong animals of opposite sex and belonging to different owners in the same enclosure or pasture where such animals would have with a reasonable opportunity for sexual contact.
I.	COMPLETE HERD TEST – means an official T. fetus test from each non-virgin bull in a the herd.
J.	DIRECTLY TO SLAUGHTER means transporting an animal to a slaughter plant after loading into a transit device without unloading prior to arrival at the destination slaughter plant.
K.	HERD means a the group of animals consisting of all bovines over 12 months of age (male and female) that which have commingled for any period of time during the last 12 months.
L.	IMPORT PERMIT means a document issued by the State Veterinarian’s office authorizing specific livestock movements into Colorado.  Permits expire 30 days after issuance and are not transferable.
N M.	OFFICIAL T. FETUS BULL TEST means the sampling of the preputial content of a bull by an accredited and approved veterinarian or a veterinarian employed by employee of the USDA or Colorado Department of Agriculture.  Such test must be conducted after a 30 day one week separation from all female bovine.  The bull and sample must be positively and individually identified and documented for laboratory submission.
N.	OFFICIAL T. FETUS CULTURE TEST means a method approved by the State Veterinarian that utilizes a suitable growth medium to propagate Trichomonas spp.
M O.	OFFICIAL T. FETUS LABORATORY TESTING means the laboratory procedures that shall be approved by the State Veterinarian for culture and identification of T. fetus.
P.	OFFICIAL T. FETUS PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) TEST means a method approved by the State Veterinarian that detects, through in vitro amplification, the presence of T. fetus DNA.
O Q.	QUARANTINE means movement restriction issued by a regulatory veterinarian that shall be placed on all cattle in a positive T. fetus herd.  Such restriction shall specify the identity of the animals and the premises where the animals shall be confined.
P.	QUARANTINE FEEDLOT means a dry lot feeding facility approved by the State Veterinarian where positive T. fetus bulls and or bovine females from a T. fetus positive herd may be fed prior to quarantine release or slaughter, and there is no sexual contact with the opposite sex bovine.
Q R.	QUARANTINE RELEASE means a release from quarantine issued by the State Veterinarian after that a herd has completed all regulatory requirements to eliminate T. fetus infection in that herd and once that herd is no longer classified as a positive herd.
R S.	POSITIVE T. FETUS BULL means a bull that has had a positive T. fetus test.
S T.	POSITIVE T. FETUS HERD means the group of all bovines which have commingled in the previous breeding season, and in which any animal (male or female) has had a positive diagnosis for T. fetus.
T U.	NEGATIVE T. FETUS BULL means a bull that which qualifies by one of the following:  a) originates from a herd not known to be infected and has had a negative official T. fetus bull test within the last year;.  b) originates from a positive herd but has had a series of three negative official T. fetus culture bull tests or a series of two negative official T. fetus PCR bull tests at intervals of at least one week; or c) has a negative import and a negative in-state official T. fetus bull test.
U V.	REGULATORY VETERINARIAN means the State Veterinarian or his/ or her designee.  This may be a state or USDA employed veterinarian, or any accredited veterinarian holding a current state license to practice veterinary medicine.
V W.	STATE VETERINARIAN means the veterinarian designated by the Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture Commission as the director of the Division of Animal Industry, Colorado Department of Agriculture.
W X.	SUSPECT T. FETUS BULL means a bull from a positive T. fetus herd that has not yet had three consecutive negative official culture T. fetus bull tests or has not yet had two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR bull tests.
X Y.	TRICHOMONAS FETUS (OR T. FETUS) means a contagious venereal protozoan parasite disease of the Tritrichomonas foetus fetus species that causes infertility, pyometra, abortions, and reproductive inefficiency in female bovine.
Y Z.	UNACCEPTABLE SAMPLE means a sample that is deemed not diagnostic by the official testing laboratory.
Z AA.	USDA FORM 1-27 means a form used to designate the restricted movement of livestock; these livestock are moved under sealed conveyances accompanied by this form. an official restriction of livestock movement.  The form is issued by a regulatory veterinarian and specifies the owner, owner’s address, owner’s telephone, premises affected, number, breed, age, sex, positive unique individual identification, and destination of animals included.
AA BB.	VIRGIN BULL means a sexually intact male bovine less than 12 months of age or a sexually intact male bovine between 12 and 18 24 months of age if accompanied by signed affidavit from the owner/manager as having had no potential breeding contact with females.
CC.	VIRGIN BULL AFFIDAVIT means a signed affidavit from the owner/manager stating that the identified bull(s) are between 12 and 18 months of age and have had no potential breeding contact with females.
III.	Import Rules
A.	Breeding Bulls
1.	All bulls 12 months of age and over that are entering Colorado must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). , All non-virgin bulls, except as noted in (7) below, shall have an import permit, and a negative T. fetus test within thirty days prior to entry. Exemptions to the requirement for having a negative T. fetus test 30 days prior to import are the following:
a)	transient rodeo or exhibition (show) bulls, which shall have no sexual contact with a female bovine and are held in a secure facility to prevent such contact (does not include pasture) whild in Colorado;
b)	bulls consigned directly to slaughter;
c)	virgin bulls that have a Colorado commuter permit obtained from the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office and which includes a virgin bull affidavit signed by the bull’s owner; or
d)	bulls consigned to an Approved Feedlot for feeding purposes where they will be isolated from all females. Any known positive T. fetus bull quarantined in a feedlot shall go directly to slaughter from such feedlot.
2.	If the pre-entry test is conducted at a facility other than a laboratory approved by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) or the Colorado State Veterinarian state veterinarian, an in state post entry official T. fetus bull test shall be required within 10 days of entry into Colorado.
3.	No bull that which has ever previously tested positive for T. fetus shall enter Colorado unless the bull is consigned directly to slaughter and is individually identified for movement on a USDA, VS Form 1-27.
4.	No bull from a known positive T. fetus herd shall enter Colorado unless the bull has three consecutive negative official T. fetus culture tests or  two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR tests at least a week apart within 30 days prior to entry and an in-state, .  The post entry official T. fetus test within 10 days of entry into Colorado. is also required (see 2. above).  Bulls must be isolated from all females until the in-state test results are known.  Identification procedures are listed below.
5.	Bulls that must be separated and identified shall be identified consistent with procedures set forth in section VI of these rules.
5 6.	Each CVI issued for bulls covered under this rule shall bear one of the following statements:
a)	“Trichomonas fetus has not been diagnosed in the herd of origin” or
b)	“The bull(s) represented on this CVI have had a series of three consecutive negative Trichomonas fetus official T. fetus culture bull tests or a series of two negative official T. fetus PCR bull tests at intervals of which were at least one a week apart within 30 days prior to entry and there has been no female contact since the first qualifying test.”
6 7.	The veterinarian issuing the CVI shall forward a copy of all record the test lab, the test results, the date of the official negative T. fetus tests for the bull(s) represented on the CVI, and send a copy of the CVI to the Colorado State Veterinarian’s office.
7.	Exceptions to the importation rule are: 1) transient rodeo or exhibition (show) bulls, which shall have no sexual contact with a female bovine and are held in a secure facility to prevent such contact (does not include pasture) while in Colorado 2) bulls consigned direct to slaughter or 3) bulls consigned to a feedlot for feeding purposes where they will be isolated from all females.  Bulls moved from a feedlot must have three consecutive official negative T. fetus tests at least one week apart unless consigned directly to slaughter. Any known positive T. fetus bull quarantined in a feedlot shall go directly to slaughter from such feedlot.
B.	Reproductive Bovine Female
1.	No female bovine originating from a known positive T. fetus herd will be allowed to enter Colorado.  Exceptions include the following:
a)	Those on the premises of origin in which there were three consecutive negative official T. fetus culture tests or two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR tests of the entire bull population, and the only allowed females are those that: which 
a 1)	have a calf at side and no exposure to other than known negative bulls since parturition; 
b 2)	are at least 120 days pregnant; 
c 3)	are known virgin heifers;
d 4)	are documented to have had at least 120 days of sexual isolation; or
e 5)	are heifers exposed only to known negative bulls and not yet 120 days pregnant.  No other female will be allowed entry into Colorado for breeding purposes from such herds.
b)	Those consigned directly to slaughter or to an approved a quarantined feedlot.
2.	Bovine breeding females must have the following statement placed on the CVI and signed by the owner/manager of the herd of origin.
a)	“The cows listed on this CVI did not originate from a known positive Trichomonas fetus herd.” 
b)	“The cows listed on this CVI are at least 120 days pregnant.” 
c)	“The cows listed on this CVI originated from a positive Trichomonas fetus herd and are consigned for slaughter.”
d)	“The heifers listed on this CVI were exposed for their first breeding only to a known negative T. fetus bull or artificially inseminated and are not yet 120 days pregnant.”
e)	“The females listed on this CVI have had at least 120 days of sexual isolation immediately preceding the date of their movement into Colorado.”	    
C.	Commuter Permitted Cattle
1.	Bulls must be tested annually after a separation of at least 30 days one week from all female bovine.  All bulls must be negative to an official T. fetus test to be eligible to have a commuter permit issued for the following year.  All purchased bulls added to the herd shall comply with test provisions. Exemptions would be virgin bulls between 12 and 24 months of age that have a current Colorado Commuter Permit obtained from the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office, which includes a virgin bull affidavit signed by the bulls’ owner.
2.	In any herd, should a bull be a positive T. fetus bull, he shall be identified and sold to slaughter only.
a)	All remaining bulls must test negative on three consecutive official T. fetus culture tests or two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR tests taken at least one week apart.
b)	Only females that which have a calf at side, and that have no exposure to other than known negative T. fetus bulls since parturition, are at least 120 days pregnant, are known virgin heifers, or are heifers exposed only to known negative bulls and not yet 120 days pregnant shall be allowed to accompany the commuting herd.  Other open cows shall be sold to slaughter, moved to a Colorado import approved feedlot (as set forth in Part III) under quarantine to be fed for slaughter or artificial insemination, or held in sexual isolation for a 120 day period.
D.	Import Permit
1.	All non-virgin bulls 12 months of age and older must obtain an import permit, which will be recorded on the CVI.
2.	All breeding cows originating from a premise where T. fetus has been diagnosed within the last year must obtain an import permit, which will be recorded on the CVI.
E.	Public Livestock Sales (Auctions)
1.	All non-virgin out-of-state bulls 12 months of age and older must be accompanied by an import permit.
2.	All non-virgin in-state bulls (in state or import) that are 18 months of age and older or out-of state bulls that are 12 months of age and older shall be accompanied by a negative an official laboratory negative T. fetus test, conducted within 30 thirty days prior to sale. In-state bulls between 12 -18 months of age shall be accompanied by a virgin bull affidavit or a negative official laboratory T. fetus test conducted within 30 days prior to sale. Any bull without test or virgin bull affidavit may be placed under quarantine and tested at the livestock sale premise or at the Colorado purchaser’s premise within 10 days of sale.  Bulls shall be isolated from all females until the in-state test results are known. Identification procedures are listed below.
3.	All bulls not qualifying as above (III.E.2) will be announced in the sale ring as “slaughter only”, and so designated on the buyer’s documents.  Such bulls shall be identified with a back tag or reasonable method approved by the State Veterinarian designating them as having no T. fetus trich test prior to being offered for sale. All bulls not qualifying as above in III.E.2 (bulls at a livestock sale premises without an official T. fetus test) shall be sold directly to slaughter or to an approved feedlot.
4.	Bovine breeding females shall be accompanied by one of the following statements signed by the owner or manager of the herd of origin, on the CVI or other suitable document.  In the absence of one of these statements, any female bovine over the age of 12 months shall be consigned and sold to slaughter (or quarantined feed for slaughter) only.
a)	“The cows listed on this document did not originate from a known positive Trichomonas fetus herd.” Or
b)	“The heifers on this document have been exposed to only known negative bulls, and are not yet 120 days pregnant.” Or
c)	“The cows listed on this document are at least 120 days pregnant.” Or
d)	“The cows listed on this document originate from a positive Trichomonas fetus herd and are consigned for slaughter.”
F.	Identification Requirements
1.	Bulls that must be separated and identified for purposes of this section shall be identified consistent with procedures set forth in section VI of these rules.
IV.	Intrastate Breeding bulls
A.	All in-state non-virgin bulls between 12 – 18 month of age shall be accompanied by a virgin bull affidavit or must have a negative official laboratory T. fetus test conducted within 30 days prior to of change of ownership or change of possession under lease.  All bulls 18 months and older must have a negative T. fetus test within 30 days of change of ownership or change of possession under lease. Bulls shall not be exposed to females at the new premise until the results of the test are known.  Any bull with a positive test shall be immediately quarantined.  The quarantine shall be in effect until the bull is sent to slaughter.  The positive T. fetus bull’s herd of origin will be placed under quarantine.  The quarantine will be released in accordance with the regulatory section of this rule.
V.	Voluntary Colorado T. fetus Free Herd Certification Requirements:  May be an individual herd, ranch, grazing association, or federal land permittee.
A.	Breeding Bulls:
1.	All non-virgin breeding bulls shall be tested annually for T. fetus for the three years following the adoption of this rule.
2.	During the three year inception period, all non-virgin breeding bulls with changes of ownership, leased, rented or otherwise shall be tested for T. fetus within 30 days prior to such change unless consigned direct to slaughter.  The test will be completed and test results known prior to the time the bull(s) is physically transferred to the receiving premises or herd.
3.	Negative T. fetus bulls will be identified with the official Colorado negative T. fetus tag described in the identification section of this part.
4.	All slaughter bulls removed from the herd will be tested for T. fetus.  The test may be performed at a slaughter facility if prior arrangement with a veterinarian and an appropriate agreement with the slaughter facility management is made.
5.	Bovine Females added to a certified herd shall not originate from a known T. fetus infected herd.  Female herd additions must originate from a Colorado Certified T. fetus Free herd or qualify in one of the following categories:  1) calf at side and no exposure to other than known negative T. fetus bulls, 2) checked by an accredited veterinarian at least 120 days pregnant, and so recorded 3) virgin, or 4) heifers exposed as virgins only to known negative T. fetus bulls and not yet 120 days pregnant.
6.	Records must be maintained for all tests including all non-virgin bulls entering the herd and made available for inspection by a designated accredited veterinarian or state animal health official.
7.	Following successful completion of the three-year testing requirement, the participating entity shall receive a T. fetus FREE certification from the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office.  Annual re-certification will require documented evidence that all male herd additions were virgin, or that non-virgin breeding bulls added to the herd had three official negative T. fetus tests within 30 days prior to commingling with female bovine, and that all  slaughter bulls removed from the herd have been negative for T. fetus prior to or at slaughter.
8.	A herd in which a bull has a confirmed T. fetus infection will be classified as a positive T. fetus herd, and shall be removed from the “Free” status (see the Regulatory section below).  The herd will be quarantined until positive T. fetus bulls are sent to slaughter, and all other bulls in the herd test negative to three consecutive official T. fetus tests at least a week apart.  The initial negative T. fetus test is included in the three negative tests.
B.	A non-tested non-virgin bull that commingles with a herd which holds or is actively working toward the Colorado Certified Trich Free status, by fence breach or any commingled situation shall obligate the owner of the non-tested bull to test the bull from one to three times at the option of the State Veterinarian in consultation with the owner and veterinarian of the negative herd.
C.	A bull from a herd which holds a current or has pending a Free certificate, and which commingles with a non-tested herd, shall undergo one to three official T. fetus test(s) prior to return to his herd of origin.  Shall such test be positive, all bulls from both herds may be subject to test.  The State Veterinarian in consultation with the herd owner and herd veterinarian will determine the appropriate number of tests and number of bulls to be tested.
VI V.	Regulatory Action
A.	Public Grazing & Grazing Associations
1.	All bulls commingling in grazing associations and/or on public lands regardless if private or multiple user permits shall have the official T. fetus bull test conducted annually.  Virgin bulls added to a herd are exempt from testing requirements during their first breeding season.  Negative bulls shall be identified as in VI.A. VII.A. below.
a)	If any bull is found positive, the entire bull population, regardless of owners, will be required to have three consecutive negative official T. fetus cultures or two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR tests prior to turn out time.  Any stray non-virgin bull from an untested group that enters the grazing area of tested animals may be held under quarantine until the bull has one or more official T. fetus test(s) conducted.  The test(s) shall be the responsibility of the bull’s owner.  The conditions of the quarantine and number of tests will be determined by the Sstate Vveterinarian.
B.	Positive T. Fetus Bull & Herd
1.	Any confirmed T. fetus bovine and its herd (as defined by state animal health officials) shall immediately be placed under quarantine, and will remain continue under quarantine as follows: until the following rules are completed.
a)	Positive T. fetus bulls shall be identified with an official Positive T. fetus test tag by an approved veterinarian within 5 days of diagnosis.
b)	Positive T. fetus bulls shall be quarantined, and sent directly to slaughter or to public livestock market for slaughter only.  A quarantined feed period may be allowed under special conditions.  Positive bulls shall move on an official USDA 1-27 permit.
c)	All other bulls in a positive T. fetus herd shall remain quarantined until they have tested negative to three consecutive official T. fetus culture tests or two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR tests at least one week apart.  The initial negative T. fetus test is included in the series of three negative tests required.
C.	Reproductive Bovine Females from a Positive T. fetus herd
1.	Females over 12 months of age (not known to be virgin heifers) from a positive T. fetus herd may be sold direct to slaughter, or quarantined on the premises of origin.  Individual females will be released from quarantine when there are three consecutive negative official T. fetus culture tests or two consecutive negative official T. fetus PCR tests of the entire bull population and the cow(s) has a calf at side (with no exposure to other than known negative T. fetus bulls since parturition), has documented 120 days of sexual isolation, or is determined by an accredited veterinarian to be at least 120 days pregnant.  Heifers known to be virgin at the time of turnout, or heifers exposed only to known negative T. fetus bulls and not yet 120 days pregnant, are allowed.
2.	Open females shall be sold to slaughter, moved to an approved feedlot, or held in isolation from all bulls for 120 days.  Any female sold to slaughter through a livestock market shall be identified with an official Colorado positive T. fetus tag during the quarantine period.
3.	Breeding by artificial insemination with semen from a known negative bull is allowed during the quarantine period, and cows confirmed by an accredited veterinarian to be at least 120 days pregnant as well as cows documented to have 120 days sexual isolation will be released from quarantine.
VII VI.	Identification
A.	Bulls that which have passed the official negative T. fetus test shall be identified with an official Colorado negative T. fetus tag.  Virgin bulls should also be tagged with the official negative T. fetus tag.  The official tag shall be embossed with “Colorado Negative T. fetus” and a number.  Tags will be supplied by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and be assigned to accredited approved veterinarians, who shall apply such tags at the time samples are collected.  The accredited approved veterinarian shall record any second form of positive identification available, or apply an official a standard USDA metal tag as a secondary identification.  Bulls so identified pending test results shall be isolated from all females until the test result is reported.  The official negative T. fetus tag color shall be changed annually.
B.	Positive T. fetus bulls shall be identified with an official red positive T. fetus tag supplied by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.  The accredited approved veterinarian shall apply or record the existing official standard USDA metal ear tag as a second form of positive identification when the positive T. fetus tag is applied.
C.	Any quarantined cows moved from the original premise of quarantine shall be identified with an official red positive T. fetus ear tag.
VIII VII.	Specimen Collection Facilities
A.	The bull owner must provide adequate corrals and restraint to protect the animal and veterinarian from undue injury and risk.  The approved veterinarian shall determine the adequacy of such facilities, and may require the bulls be delivered to a mutually agreed facility if the owner’s facility is deemed inadequate for specimen collection purposes.
IX VIII.	Approved Laboratory Responsibilities
A.	An approved laboratory is required to immediately report any positive specimen to the State Veterinarian’s Office.  Such report will include the animal identification, brand, owner name, address, telephone number and the submitting veterinarian’s name, address, and telephone number.
B.	In order for trichomoniasis testing results to be considered official test results, the packaging and transportation of samples for trichomoniasis testing must explicitly follow the approved laboratory’s protocol for transport of specimens. Failure to follow the appropriate submission protocol and policy may result in an unacceptable sample.
B.	Transport media shall be Ringers Lactate U.S.P. or a commercial Trichomonas pouch (Inpouch TF).  If the samples are hand carried to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection, ringer’s lactate may be used as transport media.  If any shipment by mail or other carrier is involved in the transport, ringers lactate is not allowed, and the Inpouch TM TF must be used.  The specimen(s) shall be received at the laboratory in good condition within 48 hours of sampling.
C.	The laboratory shall report unacceptable samples to the State Veterinarian.  If any sample is deemed unacceptable, the submitting veterinarian shall submit a retest specimen.  The State Veterinarian may report the unacceptable samples and the name of the veterinarian who took the unacceptable standards to the Area Veterinarian in Charge who may report the information to the APHIS Administrator, who shall retain authority to suspend or revoke a veterinarian’s accreditation pursuant to 9 C.F.R. §161. require the offending veterinarian to attend an approved Trichomoniasis training, and submit acceptable specimens to continue as an approved Trichomoniasis veterinarian.
X IX.	Rule Exception
A.	The Colorado State Veterinarian may grant an exception to the requirements of this rule only on an individual basis.
XI.	Compliance
A.	Any person who violates the provisions of these rules may be subject to the criminal and civil penalties set out in sections 35-50-145, 35-50-145.1 or 35-50-103, C.R.S. (2004) and 35-50-118 and 119 C.R.S. (2005).
Part 16:	Statements of Basis, Specific Statutory Authority and Purpose
VI.	Adopted: March 18, 2010 – Effective: April 30, 2010
SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
The specific statutory authority of this rule is located in §§ 35-50-105(3)(a), (b), (c), (f), (h), (j), (n), (p), and (q), C.R.S., which cumulatively grant authority to the Commissioner of Agriculture, upon approval of the Colorado Agricultural Commission, to adopt rules related to designations of livestock disease for control and reporting purposes; health standards for importation of livestock; livestock testing for contagious or infectious disease; standards for disease surveillance among and in livestock; the form and manner of disease reporting; standards and requirements for disease prevention; and livestock disease prevention.
Purpose
The purpose of this rule change is to update the rule to clarify definitions, strengthen testing procedures and guidelines, and implement an improved risk-based approach in preventing and controlling Bovine Trichomoniasis, also known as Trich.
The changes reflected in this rule-making represent new developments in the science of veterinary medical diagnostics and in the application of that science to better prevent and control the identified disease. In addition, these changes addressed the concerns of the livestock industry to mitigate the prevalence and economic implications of Trichomoniasis to the Colorado cattle industry. 
Changes to the definitions of the rule add terms that have been identified and adopted in other parts of the Livestock Disease Control rules. In addition, changes in the definitions section amend previously adopted definitions to create consistency within the entire Livestock Disease Control rules. Further changes identify alternate official tests that may be used to identify Trich and reduce producers’ costs in the testing and release of quarantined herds, and formatting changes within the definitions provide consistency and clarity to terms used throughout this part of the livestock disease control rules.
The “Import Rules” section of this part underwent changes to place more stringent requirements on the import of cattle and to ensure that sample collection and testing procedures apply the most recent scientific understanding to better prevent and control the disease prior to import.  The rules within this section are re-organized for ease of reading and clarity of thoughts. Minor changes to testing requirements amend previous requirements so as to assure more accurate test results. Finally, changes throughout the section clarify disease control requirements for breeding females, bulls, commuter-permitted bovines, and bovines at public livestock auctions.
Changes throughout the rule also allow for virgin bull affidavits as an alternative to testing bulls that are 12 to 18 months of age that have no history of sexual contact, thereby implementing a risk-based approach that reduces the testing requirements, the testing costs, and the risk of injury to cattle, owners/operators, and veterinarians. Changes to the “Approved Laboratory Responsibilities” and “Approved Veterinarian” conform to law, removing requirements that the State Veterinarian could not legally enforce.
Factual and Policy Issues
The factual and policy issues encountered when developing these rules include: 
The reviewers found that since the inception of this rule several years back, updates in the science related to testing for Trich and updates in general knowledge related to the prevention of the disease rendered portions of the previous rule unnecessary to accomplish the same goals. The veterinary scientific community identified ways to improve the accuracy of testing by making improvements to the sampling procedure and testing protocol, which improvements are reflected in the rule changes. The reviewers identified risks to field veterinarians who were performing sample collections on bulls and the dangers associated with repeated collections from bulls that had previously been sampled. At least one veterinarian had been seriously injured while collecting samples from a previously sampled bull. Additionally, the reviewers found that due to the newer diagnostic tests and capabilities, fewer tests were required to release a Trich quarantined herd as repeated testing of the same animals would not yield any more conclusive results. Therefore, the new testing protocol allowed in the rule will produce a more accurate test with less risk to producers and veterinarians. 
Other issues that the reviewers considered include the fact that other definitions throughout the “Livestock Disease Control” rules had been amended or changed entirely. Part of the effort with this rule-making was to bring this rule into closer conformity to other parts within the “Livestock Disease Control” rules as a whole.
Finally, the reviewers found it necessary to amend requirements for bulls known to be virgin bulls such that an owner’s affidavit would sufficiently and satisfactorily confirm the virgin status of their bulls without additional testing. Doing so will not increase the risk of spread of the disease because a risk-based testing approach to this age group of breeding bulls is already in place. Further, allowing affidavits will remove an undue financial burden on the livestock producers in testing all of their young bulls. Lastly, requiring the testing of virgin bulls over 18 months of age will increase disease surveillance and better control and prevent the disease. 
The changes in these rules reflect the most up-to-date scientific studies, research, and knowledge available and apply that science in a manner that protects Colorado’s livestock industry while encouraging and maintaining a healthy and robust livestock sector within Colorado’s economy.