23794699, 5CER20-5 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 23794699

Notice of Emergency Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Division:

Division of Animal Industry

Overview

RULE:

5CER20-5

Temporary Restrictions on the Importation of Lagomorphs

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE:

On March 24, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NVSL-FADDL) detected Rabbit Hemorrhagic Diseases Virus Type 2 (RHDV2), via PCR from samples submitted from two domestic rabbits from New Mexico.
Since March 1, 2020, there have been reports of wild rabbit deaths in southern New Mexico. Reports of domestic and wild lagomorph mortality in additional States in the region soon followed these initial detections. From March 24, 2020 to the present, RHDV2 has been confirmed in domestic rabbits from New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, in wild rabbits and hares in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California, and Nevada, and in feral rabbits in Colorado and Utah.
RHDV2 is a highly contagious and lethal form of a viral hepatitis that affects members of the order Lagomorpha and includes rabbits, hares and pikas.  Generally, the only signs of the disease are sudden death and blood-stained noses caused by internal bleeding. Infected rabbits may also develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs.  There is currently no approved vaccine for use in the United States and no specific treatment for the disease.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES:

This rule is fair and justified because it takes only the necessary actions to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by preventing the introduction and spread of this dangerous and transmissible disease and its vectors. The rule requires that Lagomorphs intended for movement into Florida be inspected seventy (72) hours prior to entry in this state by a veterinarian and be free from clinical signs of the disease. The Department is undertaking an aggressive campaign to notify the public about the implementation of this rule. The Department is currently in the process of amending Chapter 5C-3, F.A.C., through formal rulemaking to incorporate similar provisions for a more permanent solution.

SUMMARY:

This rule places restrictions upon the importation of Lagomorphs to ensure they have not been exposed to a known or suspected case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease or infested and show no clinical signs of the disease. The requirements in this rule are in addition to the import requirements set forth in Chapter 5C-3, Florida Administrative Code.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

Dr. Michael A. Short, State Veterinarian, Director, Division of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 407 S. Calhoun St., Rm. 330, Mayo Bldg., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800, phone (850) 410-0900

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/23/2020 Vol. 46/208

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Florida Administrative Law Central Online Network (F.A.L.C.O.N.)

RELATED COURT CASES:

Division of Administrative Hearings

FEDERAL eRULEMAKING
WEB PORTAL:

Regulations.gov

HOW TO LINK TO
THIS NOTICE:

http://flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=5CER20-5&PDate=10/23/2020&Section=4

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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