| Rule Number: |
26-E01 |
| Title: |
Vermont Entry Restrictions for New World Screwworm |
|
Type:
|
Emergency |
|
Status:
|
Adopted |
| Agency: |
Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
|
| Legal Authority: |
6 V.S.A. ยง 1160 |
| Summary:
| This rule shortens the allowed time between veterinary examination and physical importation into Vermont, reducing the risk of introducing the fly and the disease to Vermont. It extends the requirement to include dogs and cats, which are susceptible to screwworms and travel from the Southwest much more frequently than livestock. It also incorporates USDA playbook rules into Vermont state rules, thus allowing enforcement at the state level. It extends the range of movement restrictions to animals originating from or traveling through states containing infested zones, as wildlife and natural fly movement can cause independent and rapid spread. Finally, it requires treatment of animals within the infested zones, and of dogs and cats in affected states, before importation to further decrease the chance of becoming infected after inspection but before movement. |
| Persons Affected:
| All individuals, animal rescue organizations, animal shelters, livestock dealers and transporters, entities, associations, and interested parties involved in the transportation or importation of any domestic animals, including newly designated dogs and cats, into Vermont for any purpose. |
| Economic Impact:
| Direct actions will need to occur in the state of origin, which may increase the logistical complexity or costs of importation for Vermont industries. Currently, this will have almost no effect on farmers or livestock businesses because very few livestock move from the Southwest to New England. This will have the greatest impact on the pet trade, which has historically moved animals with minimal health checks and in large numbers. This will increase the cost of small animal importation but will result in healthier animals entering Vermont, decreasing not just screwworm but other contagious diseases as well. Additionally, the trade-off costs of not taking action could result in faster introduction to Vermont, which could have devastating economic consequences. |
| Posting date: |
Jul 01,2026 |
