§3116.  Identification and transportation of ratites

A.  The commissioner may, by rule, establish procedures for the identification of ratites, including but not limited to guidelines and requirements for the use of marks, bands, tattoos, or electronic identification.

B.  Ratites may be shipped into the state only when accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection signed by a United States Department of Agriculture accredited veterinarian or other similar official of the country of such ratites' origin.  The certificate shall certify the apparent freedom of the ratites from contagious or infectious diseases and shall be based upon an actual inspection or specific serologic testing of the ratites to be shipped or moved within a period of thirty days preceding the date of shipment.

C.  Notwithstanding Subsection B of this Section, the commissioner may inspect any ratites shipped into this state, even if the ratites are accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection issued by another state or country.  If such an inspection reveals the presence of contagious or infectious disease, the commissioner may declare a moratorium on Louisiana's recognition of any certificate of veterinary inspection issued by a representative of that state or country, until the commissioner determines that the standards of inspection of that state or country are adequate and equal to those health standards established by the state of Louisiana.

D.  The commissioner, by rule, may establish other procedures for the shipment or movement of ratites within or into this state.

Acts 1993, No. 134, §1.