(1) An "animal" is any quadruped of a species which can become infected with brucellosis. The term includes, but is not limited to a member of the bovine, porcine, canine, ovine, bison, caprine, or feline species, or the genus cervidae.

(2) "Brucellosis" is an infectious, transmissible disease of animals and man caused by brucella aborutus, brucella suis, or brucella melitensis, which are referred to in these rules collectively as brucella organisms or individually as a brucella organism. Disease control in animals shall be in compliance with Title 9 CFR part 78 and USDA APHIS brucellosis eradication Uniform Method and Rules (UM&R).

(3) "Ram epididymitis" is an infectious disease of sheep caused by a bacteria variously called brucella ovis, brucella melitensis ovis, or ram epididymitis organism (R.E.O.).

(4) "Official vaccination" for ram epididymitis is the inoculation of the male sheep at weaning age or older, by a deputy state veterinarian, with a ram epididymitis vaccine approved for use by the state veterinarian.

(5) A brucella ovis free ram flock is:

(a) The Department of Livestock will designate a ram flock as brucella ovis free for one year when:

(i) all rams eight months of age and older are subjected to an approved brucella ovis serologic test and all rams are found to be negative; and

(ii) a second test of these same rams is performed 45 to 60 days after the first test and all rams are again found to be negative.

(b) The Department of Livestock will renew the designation of this flock on an annual basis when all rams eight months of age and older are once officially tested negative for brucella ovis; and if

(i) while this flock is recognized as brucella ovis free, all reactor rams on the premises are castrated or identified as prescribed by the department and removed to slaughter; and

(ii) all additions of rams to the flock except for natural increase progeny are officially tested negative for brucella ovis and retested 45 days later and prior to entry into the flock or originate from another brucella ovis free flock.

(c) All official tests used for qualifying rams for interstate shipment must be done by a deputy state veterinarian. The blood samples must be submitted to an approved laboratory for testing. Individual identification of tested rams must be recorded and accompany the blood samples to the laboratory. Costs for veterinary service and laboratory test fees are to be borne by the owner.