8. Provide a quarterly report to the VS regional Johne’s disease epidemiologist and the Johne’s staff of VS, National Animal Health Programs, on the progress of the Program.

A Johne’s disease group or an equivalent must be formed to assist the State in Program development, implementation, and review. A representative at the producer level, for either the beef or the dairy industry, is recommended as the chairperson for the group. The DJC must be a member. The group must meet at least once a year.

This group should include, but not be limited to:

1. Dairy producers—purebred, commercial, and commodity groups

2. Beef producers—purebred, commercial, and commodity groups

3. University/extension faculty

4. Animal health diagnostic laboratory personnel

5. Regulatory veterinary medical officers—State, Federal, and/or field services

6. Veterinary practitioners—beef and dairy

States may elect to use the services of private practitioners in addition to State or Federal personnel to assist herd owners in conducting risk assessments and developing herd management plans. States using these veterinarians must determine that they meet the qualifications listed below. The DJC needs to develop a process to closely monitor the herd management plans developed by new Johne’s certified veterinarians. For example, the DJC may require the new certified veterinarian to develop the first one-to-five herd management plans in conjunction with an experienced animal health official. Johne’s certified veterinarians will be required to take a JD refresher course approved by the DJC at least once every 3 years.

Johne’s certified veterinarians must be accredited veterinarians and demonstrate to the DJC that they have the knowledge needed to: