The order was issued in support of legislation passed this year by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam making it illegal to transport and release wild-appearing hogs without proper documentation. The new law goes into effect July 1.
"Wild hogs have the propensity to reproduce in great numbers, carry diseases, destroy crops and cause serious ecological damage," state veterinarian Charles Hatcher said. "The purpose of the order is to help reduce the incidence of disease and to support efforts to prevent the illegal transportation and releasing of wild hogs."
Under the order, all wild-appearing swine being moved within the state must have one of the following:
· A state or federally approved individual identification and proof that each hog has tested negative for Pseudorabies and Brucellosis within 90 days of movement.
· Proof that each individual hog originated from a Validated Brucellosis-free and Qualifed Pseudorabies-negative herd.
· A movement authorization number from the state veterinarian's office.
Movement authorization numbers will be issued for wild-appearing swine being moved directly to slaughter, a quarantined facility, a veterinarian for testing or from one production facility to another. The order also provides for a movement authorization number to be issued for wild-appearing production swine that are raised for meat or breeding purposes. Production facilities for which movement authorization numbers are issued are subject to inspection by the department.
To receive a movement authorization number under this order, call the state veterinarian's office at 615-837-5120.
