Utah Code 4-39-303. Importation of domesticated elk

4-39-303. Importation of domesticated elk.

(1)

A person may not import domesticated elk into the state for use in domesticated elk facilities without first obtaining:

Agriculture: means the science and art of the production of plants and animals useful to man, including the preparation of plants and animals for human use and disposal by marketing or otherwise. See Utah Code 4-1-109
Department: means the Department of Agriculture and Food created in Chapter 2, Administration. See Utah Code 4-1-109
Domesticated elk: means elk of the genus and species cervus elaphus, held in captivity and domestically raised for commercial purposes. See Utah Code 4-39-102
Domesticated elk facility: includes an elk ranch. See Utah Code 4-39-102
Elk ranch: means a facility where domesticated elk are harvested through typical hunting methods. See Utah Code 4-39-102
Person: means a natural person or individual, corporation, organization, or other legal entity. See Utah Code 4-1-109
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5

(a)	an entry permit from the state veterinarian’s office; and

(b)	a domesticated elk facility license from the department.

(2)

The entry permit shall include the following information and certificates:

(a)	a health certificate with an indication of the current health status;

(b)	proof of genetic purity as required in Section 4-39-301;

(c)	the name and address of the consignor and consignee;

(d)

proof that the elk are:

(i)	tuberculosis free; or

(ii)	enrolled in a tuberculosis herd monitoring accreditation program administered by the United State Department of Agriculture or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;

(e)	the origin of shipment;

(f)	the final destination;

(g)	the total number of animals in the shipment; and

(h)	any other information required by the state veterinarian’s office or the department.

(3)	No domesticated elk will be allowed into the state that originates east of the 100 degree meridian, to prevent introduction of the meningeal worm.

(4)

A person who imports domesticated elk into the state from an international herd:

(a)

may only import domesticated elk:

(i)	that are male; and

(ii)	to an elk ranch for use in the elk ranch; and

(b)	shall ensure that the domesticated elk are harvested in the same season in which the domesticated elk enter the state.

(5)	For the purpose of enforcing Subsection (4), the department may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, for the use of radio frequency identification tags to track male elk imported into the state from an international herd.

Amended by Chapter 110, 2023 General Session