Management of Tuberculosis Reactors

(1) Reactor Tags. Whenever an animal reacts to a comparative cervical tuberculin test, the veterinarian who performed the test must attach a metal tag with a serial number and the inscription "Mass. Reactor," or a similar USDA-approved reactor tag, to the animal's external left ear. (2) Transport and Disposal. The reacting animal must not be disposed of in any way or leave the premises where it was tested except for Immediate Slaughter, under the direction of state and federal veterinarians. The reacting animal must be appraised at its market value. Cattle which have reacted to a comparative cervical tuberculin test may not be moved in vehicles of any kind containing any other cattle unless all the animals are for Immediate Slaughter. 4.06: continued (3) Cleaning, Disinfection and Repair. All vehicles in which comparative cervical reacting cattle have been moved must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected immediately after use. At a minimum, all bedding and manure must be removed, and the entire vehicle interior must be saturated with an approved disinfectant. Immediately after removal of a comparative cervical reactor from anypremises, the owner must thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises and make any needed repairs. The Department may supervise any of these activities at its discretion. The owner must provide and pay for all materials used and the labor employed and ensure that all Department requirements for the cleaning, disinfection and repair of vehicles and premises are met. (4) Acquisition of New Cattle. An owner who has had a bovine animal tested under 330 CMR 4.00 may only acquire cattle from USDA accredited-free herds or states, and must identify these animals to the Department when they are acquired. (5) Compensation Claims. If compensation will be claimed under MGL c. 129, § 33, slaughter must occur within 30 days of the date of appraisal. An owner of cattle seeking such compensation must affirm, on forms prescribed by the Department, the amount of money received from the sale or disposal of the reacting cattle, and any other information the Department requires. An owner claiming compensation under MGL c. 129, § 33 is entitled to payment for animals which reacted to a Comparative Cervical Test. Compensation for reactors to any subsequent tests or retests will be denied unless these reactors are identified as having been either in the herd at the time of the previous test, born into the herd since the time of the previous test, or were admitted into the herd pursuant to 330 CMR 4.00.