(a) Any equine animal identified as a reactor through testing as provided in subsections 1182(a) and (b) of this title shall be humanely destroyed within seven days of the second test. The destruction of the animal shall be by a licensed veterinarian and shall be observed by the Secretary or an agent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a reactor may be transported to an approved slaughterhouse or research facility where authorized by written permission of the Secretary. In granting permission, the Secretary may specify the conditions under which the animal shall be quarantined, transported, and destroyed.

(c) Any licensed veterinarian who destroys any equine animal in accordance with the provisions of this section shall immediately report the destruction of the animal to the Secretary.

(d) As an alternative to the destruction of animals under the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, reactors may be isolated permanently under quarantine from all other equine animals and shall be conspicuously freezebranded with the letters "EIA." In no case shall this action be delayed for more than two weeks. The quarantine shall apply to all equine animals on the premises where the reactor is located and shall remain in effect until the reactor is destroyed or isolated under quarantine and the remaining equine animals are tested and found to be negative.

(e) The provisions of this section shall be implemented by rule of the Secretary. (Added 1987, No. 276 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2017, No. 30, § 3.)