Interstate Movement of Livestock 



INTERSTATE REGULATIONS 



Many regulations are considered by the pub- 

 lic as a burden imposed on commerce for pur- 

 poses they do not readily comprehend. 



However, regulations fill an important gap 

 in animal disease control and eradication pro- 

 grams. Methods of disease dissemination are 

 thoroughly studied, and regulations are di'awn 

 to prevent spread of the diseases. If these reg- 

 ulations were not enforced, mo.st programs 

 would be ineffective. 



Interstate Regulations administers two pro- 

 grams : 



(1) Enforcement of regulations promul- 



gated under authority of the Animal 

 Quarantine Laws. (Acts of May 29, 

 1884; February 2, 1903; and March 

 3, 1905) 



(2) Enforcement of the 28-Hour Law. (Act 



of June 29, 1908) 



Animal quarantine laws 



The regulations promulgated pursuant to the 

 Animal Quarantine Laws are contained in 

 Parts 71 through 83 of Title 9, Code of Federal 

 Regulations. These regulations are designed 

 to prevent the spread of communicable diseases 

 by controlling the interstate movement of live- 

 stock, including poultry, which are apparently 

 free of disease or exposure thereto. Special 

 provisions permit the interstate movement of 

 reactors to the tuberculosis, brucellosis, and 

 paratuberculosis tests, but only under certain 

 carefully supervised conditions which insure 

 their proper handling until final disposition. 



The regulations also provide for the proper 

 cleaning and disinfection of all cars, boats, and 

 other vehicles used in the interstate transpor- 

 tation of diseased live.stock and poultry. These 

 sanitary precautions apply likewise to yards 

 and other premises used in connection with 

 such shipments. 



Inspection for compliance with the laws is 

 conducted throughout the United States at 

 highway and railroad points, stockyards, and 

 livestock centers. Apparent violations are re- 

 ported to the Dei)artment for further investi- 

 gation and possible prosecution. 



During 1960, reports were received of 367 

 violations of the AQ Laws. Twenty-eight of 

 these cases, together with 8 on hand at the be- 

 ginning of the year, were closed when further 

 investigation revealed that either a violation 

 did not occur or there were insufficient grounds 

 on which to prosecute. Of the 225 cases sent 

 to the Office of the General Counsel, 180 were 

 recommended for prosecution. Because of ex- 

 tenuating circumstances it was recommended 

 that the remaining 45 cases be disposed of by 

 letters of warning. 



In the same period, notice was received of 

 199 dispositions as follows: 



99 — by Court action (including 2 dismis- 

 sals). 

 29 — declined for prosecution by the Depart- 

 ment of Justice ; however, 27 of these 

 ca.ses with the concurrence of the De- 

 partment of Justice had been recom- 

 mended for disposition by letter of 

 warning. 

 71 — declined for prosecution by various 

 United States Attorneys ; however, 

 warning notices were issued to the 

 alleged violators. 



28-hour law 



With the advent of railroads there began a 

 new epoch in the delivery of livestock to mar- 

 kets. "The first cars employed were crude af- 

 fairs, built of slats without overhead protec- 

 tion and without means provided for watering. 

 . . . car roofs were built, hot for shelter, as 

 might be supposed, but to prevent the cattle 

 from jumping out, as the railroads had in- 

 curred considerable losses from that cause." 



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