Livestock export testing safeguards human and animal health internationally by mitigating the spread of diseases and ensuring the sustainability of international commerce.

livestock headed for export, like this dark red cow looking over the fence with a yellow ear tag, must be tested
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory is the only laboratory in Texas authorized to perform testing on any livestock destined for export. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, shares its top tips for exporter clients looking to stay in compliance. TVMDL is the only laboratory in Texas authorized to perform testing that meets U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, and international requirements.

“The goal of export testing is to ensure we don’t move infectious diseases around the world through exported animals,” said Terry Hensley, DVM, TVMDL assistant agency director and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service veterinarian, Bryan-College Station. “As a diagnostic lab, we are doing our part to run the tests requested by a certain country.”

Those countries establish regulations with organizations like the World Organization for Animal Health. They indicate which diseases need to be tested for, the acceptable tests, and sometimes even timeframes for testing.

From paperwork to protocols, the export testing process can be complex. TVMDL strongly encourages clients to consider the following when requesting export testing:

  • Be aware of the destination country’s animal health requirements. 
  • Organize paperwork and samples.
  • Proactively submit samples to ensure timely results. 

Stay aware of a destination country’s animal health requirements   

Hensley explained that export testing focuses on ensuring compliance with the health certification standards of the destination country. Neglecting exact protocols can cause clients to face delays, quarantines, rejections or worse at import-country borders.

“If there are problems when those animals get to that destination country, it could be bad,” Hensley said. “They can either be given the option to send those animals back to the U.S., or sometimes they’re going to do retesting. In the worst case, they get euthanized at the point of destination.”

Therefore, clients must work closely with their veterinarians and take time to orient themselves to the updated animal testing regulations of the destination country. Communication with the USDA and the destination country ensures an appropriate plan and reduces the risk of error.

The types of tests required may vary depending on where animals are transported. Some of the more common serological tests TVMDL performs for export are to detect antibodies to diseases such as brucellosis, bluetongue and bovine leukemia. Testing is mainly performed using blood samples. However, other sample types may include nasal swabs, fecal or tissue samples and, in some cases, milk or semen samples.

Hensley recommends clients ensure samples are stored and shipped according to the instructions outlined on each test’s listing on the TVMDL website. These instructions ensure samples are handled and shipped in a manner that would help them arrive at TVMDL in a testable condition.

Organizing paperwork and samples

“I think the key is good communication and organization,” Kalyn Green, assistant section head for serology at TVMDL, said.

Paperwork should include all forms of identification for each exported animal, such as the official identification numbers and microchip numbers. All samples must be labeled and linked to the animal from which it was collected. Green encouraged the use of electronic forms to minimize human error and illegible handwriting on labels.

Besides animal and sample identification, she also mentioned that premise ID, sample collection date, country of export and veterinarian signature are often needed and sometimes forgotten.

Proactively submit samples to ensure timely results

Clients should submit samples for testing well ahead of all regulatory deadlines or departures. In addition, some tests must be performed within a certain timeframe before export.

“Timing is huge,” Green said. “Some tests require a specific window before export, for example, within 30 or 60 days of departure. Also, account for how long it takes to get the results. For some of our serologic tests, if we have a suspect reaction, we must send the sample to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.”

Export testing can be complex but is a manageable process with the proper preparation and information. For more information on export testing at TVMDL, visit https://tvmdl.tamu.edu  or call the College Station lab at 888-646-5623.

This story originally appeared on the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory website.

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