A. Whenever any blood sample is drawn for the purpose of testing for brucellosis, the person drawing the blood sample shall ensure the fastening of an official metal tag, approved by the State Veterinarian and imprinted with a distinctive number, to the right ear of the animal from which blood is drawn. If an official ear tag is already fastened to the right ear, the number imprinted shall be recorded instead of inserting a new tag.

B. The person shall submit with the blood sample a written report to the State Veterinarian. The report shall be signed by the person drawing the sample and shall be on a form prescribed by the State Veterinarian. The report shall show the number on the tag fastened to the tested animal's ear and descriptive markings of the animal, or herd tattoo, if the tested animal is a registered animal.

C. It shall not be necessary to ear tag any registered animal if the herd tattoo of each animal is shown on the report.

D. The removal of the identifying metal ear tag from the animal's ear without prior authorization from the State Veterinarian shall be a violation of the Oklahoma Agricultural Code.

E. Each packing plant in this state shall collect and identify a blood sample with all identification tags from each bovine animal showing the presence of the first pair of central incisors.

Laws 1955, HB 505, p. 47, art. 6(E), § 3; Amended by Laws 1979, HB 1187, c. 87, § 1; Amended by Laws 2000, SB 1424, c. 367, § 39, emerg. eff. June 6, 2000 (superseded document available).