Wildlife Movement: Certification, Requirements

PURPOSE: This rule clarifies that all wildlife held or transported in confinement shall comply with applicable state and federal animal health standards and movement requirements. (1) All persons holding or transporting wildlife in confinement shall comply with applicable state and federal regulations for animal health standards and movement requirements. These records shall be maintained on the premises and shall be subject to inspection by a conservation agent at any reasonable time for a period of at least five (5) years. (2) Live white-tailed deer, white-tailed deer-hybrids, mule deer, mule deer-hybrids, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes may not be imported into this state. The movement of Class III wildlife held under permit within the provisions of this chapter shall also comply with 3 CSR 10-9.354 and 3 CSR 10-9.565. (3) Live skunks may not be imported, bought, sold, transported, given away, or otherwise disposed of in this state. (4) Live Eastern cottontail rabbits, swamp rabbits, and jackrabbits may only be imported or transported into this state, as follows: (A) Eastern cottontail rabbits, swamp rabbits, and jackrabbits originating from a state or country where Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) has been diagnosed in the prior twelve (12) months may not be imported or transported into Missouri. Eastern cottontail rabbits, swamp rabbits, and jackrabbits originating from a state or country other than those where RHD has been diagnosed in the prior twelve (12) months may be imported only by the holder of an entry permit issued by the state wildlife veterinarian; (B) Any person requesting entry of such rabbits or hares shall submit a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to the state wildlife veterinarian. To obtain an entry permit from the state wildlife veterinarian, the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must state the following: 1. All eastern cottontail rabbits, swamp rabbits, and jackrabbits in the shipment have been examined within seventy-two (72) hours of shipment for and found free of communicable diseases and have originated from a single premise that has no signs of a communicable disease; 2. There has been no movement of rabbits or hares onto the originating premises within thirty (30) days prior to the shipment; and 3. No rabbits in the shipment have had contact with freeranging wild rabbits or hares within thirty (30) days prior to the shipment; and (C) For the purposes of this section, the term Certificate of Veterinary Inspection means a legible record made on an official form of the state of origin, issued by an accredited licensed veterinarian. The official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall state that the animal(s) are free of visible signs of contagious, infectious, or communicable disease and describe the animal(s) by species, breed, sex, and age. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Jan. 22, 2021, effective Aug. 30, 2021. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.