Section 77-3-15 - Investigation of suspected illegal imports; oaths; health certificate of permit. - New Mexico Statutes

77-3-15. Investigation of suspected illegal imports; oaths; health certificate of permit.

Whenever the board, during the continuance in force of any prohibition against the importation into this state of livestock has good reason to believe or suspect that any such livestock against the importation of which prohibition then exists have been or are about to be driven, conveyed or transported into this state in violation of any such prohibition then existing and then in force, it is the duty of the board, either by its own members or through a veterinarian or through one or more of such persons then in their employ as circumstances shall seem to require, to thoroughly investigate the same.  They may examine, under oath or affirmation, any person in charge of the livestock or any person cognizant of any facts or circumstances material to the investigations and all facts connected with the driving or transportation of the livestock, including the place or places from which the livestock have been driven or transported; the places or districts through which they have been driven or transported; the length of time and where they have remained, fed or grazed at any designated place or district; what contagious or infectious disease of livestock, if any, they have been exposed to and when and where; and any other facts or circumstances material to the investigation and reduce such testimony to writing in all cases where the certificate of health or the permit in writing provided for in this section shall be refused.  The members of the board, a veterinarian and all other persons as aforesaid so in the employ of the board through whom any such investigation shall be made hereby are authorized to administer all oaths and affirmations required in any such investigation.  If any such investigation is made by such veterinarian and he is satisfied that the livestock are free from all contagious and infectious disease and will not communicate any disease to any livestock in this state, he shall deliver to the person in charge of the livestock a certificate of health to the effect that the livestock are healthy and entitled to pass into the state, otherwise he shall refuse the same.  If such investigation is made by any other persons authorized as specified in this section to make the investigation and they are satisfied that the livestock will not transmit to the livestock in this state any livestock disease and that the facts and circumstances attending their transportation warrant the presumption that such livestock are not from any prohibited areas, a recommendation that the importation of the livestock shall then be permitted, shall be communicated to the board and the board shall upon concurrence give the person in charge of the livestock a written permit to pass the same into the state, otherwise such permit shall be refused.