Terms Used In Tennessee Code 44-11-107

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Agriculture: means :
    (i) The land, buildings and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products and nursery stock. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Department: means the department of agriculture. See Tennessee Code 44-11-101
  • Livestock: means cattle, calves, horses, mules, poultry, swine, sheep, goats, and alternative livestock. See Tennessee Code 44-11-101
  • Livestock market: means any location where livestock is assembled and sold at public auction, on a commission basis, or otherwise for the compensation of the owner or operator, during regularly scheduled or special sales. See Tennessee Code 44-11-101
  • Representative: means an employee or designee of the commissioner. See Tennessee Code 44-11-101
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105

Each livestock market may be under the direct supervision of a representative of the department. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no livestock known to be infected with or known to have been exposed to any contagious, infectious or communicable animal disease or infestation shall be consigned to or sold through any livestock market. The representative may inspect all livestock that is offered for sale and may prohibit the movement of any animals that in the representative’s opinion are diseased or that are likely to be carriers of disease, until final inspection is made by a qualified, accredited veterinarian, as to their condition. If, upon examination, an infectious, contagious or communicable disease or infestation is found, such animals may be sold only for immediate slaughter to a recognized slaughterer where veterinary inspection is maintained; or, the owner may, upon submission of an affidavit of ownership for at least sixty (60) days prior to sale date, return them to the original premises, where a strict quarantine must be maintained. The representative shall also issue or cause to be issued all necessary quarantines for such animals as are sold for immediate slaughter or are returned to the original premises. A copy of the quarantine shall be sent to the state veterinarian immediately following issuance, and instructions given the owner that the truck moving the quarantined animals to slaughter or returning them to the original premises must be cleaned and disinfected before being used again to transport livestock. The representative shall supervise the cleaning and disinfecting of the yards and pens at such time as may be necessary, using only those disinfectants approved by the animal disease eradication branch of the agricultural research service of the United States department of agriculture.