A. When the Commissioner or the State Veterinarian shall have a reasonable belief of the existence of contagious or infectious diseases of animals in localities in other states, territories, or countries, or that conditions exist that, in the judgment of the Commissioner or of the State Veterinarian, render the importation of animals from such localities a menace to the health of the livestock or poultry of the Commonwealth, the Commissioner or the State Veterinarian shall, by proclamation, prohibit the importation of any or all kinds of animals from any locality of other states, territories or countries, into the Commonwealth, except pursuant to subsection B.

B. The Commissioner or the State Veterinarian may require documentation of negative laboratory test results using a test specified by the State Veterinarian within a specific time period prior to an animal, embryo, hatching egg, or semen entering the Commonwealth. Expenses associated with meeting entry requirements shall be borne by the owner of the animal.

History

Code 1950, § 3-576; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-734; 2008, c. 860.