USDA Animal Disease Traceability
Animal disease traceability, or knowing where diseased and
at-risk animals are, where they've been, and when, is very important to ensure
a rapid response when animal disease events take place. An efficient and
accurate animal disease traceability system helps reduce the number of animals
involved in an investigation, reduces the time needed to respond, and decreases
the cost to producers and the government. Animal Disease Traceability is not a
food safety tool, and it cannot prevent animal disease. It is a
livestock-tracing tool necessary to efficiently respond to animal health disease
events.
Identification requirements
When moving interstate, official identification may be recorded directly on the certificate
of veterinary inspection (CVI) or on an attached list.
- Dairy cattle: All classes of dairy cattle require official
individual identification if moving interstate, regardless of age. Dairy steers moving directly to
slaughter require official identification, however the identification does not
need to be recorded on the CVI.
- Beef cattle (and bison): Sexually intact cattle greater than
18 months of age require official identification if moving interstate. If they are less than 18
months of age or moving directly to slaughter, they are exempt. Cattle of any
age used for rodeo, recreational events, shows, and exhibition require
identification.
- Sheep and goats: All sexually intact sheep and goats of any age leaving the flock of origin which are not in slaughter channels and all sheep over 18 months of age in slaughter channels must have official identification prior to leaving the farm of origin for any purpose. All sheep and goats of any age used for exhibition require official identification.
- Swine: All swine moving interstate must be officially identified. Ear notches are not accepted as official identification unless accompanied by breed registration papers.
- Horses and other equine: All horses moving interstate must be officially identified. A description or pictures of the horse is considereed official idenitification for horses and other equine.
Acceptable official individual identification
- 840 ID tags: Also referenced as animal identification
number (AIN). These tags have 15 digits beginning with 840, which is the numeric
code for the USA. The tags are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors. These tags frequently include radio frequently identification (RFID), but are available as visual-only tags as well. Producers need a premises
identification number, available from ODA, to purchase these tags. These tags may be purchased directly from commercial vendors, or ODA has a limited number of white button RFID tags that can be provided free of charge to producers (PIN number required).
- 840 RFID OVC tags: These tags are specific 840 ID tags as described above that are orange color and imprinted with "OCV." ODA will provide these to accredited veterinarians for use when performing official calfhood brucellosis vaccinations.
- USDA silver "bright" tags: Part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES). ODA will provide these free of charge to producers.
- USDA orange "bangs" brucellosis vaccination tags: Part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES). ODA will provide these to accredited veterinarians for use when performing official calfhood brucellosis vaccinations.
- Scrapie tags: These tags are specific to sheep and goats as part of the scrapie control program. These tags include a flock ID number and an individual animal identification number. Limited quantities of these tags are provided for free when registering a new flock/herd, and additional tags may be purchased from most tag vendors.
- Brands: A single iron hot brand will be allowed in certain circumstances when cattle are moved as a single group without ownership change, and when accepted by both the shipping and receiving states. Oregon has agreements in place for CA, ID, MT, NV, and UT. Individual identification is required, but animals may be shipped on brand assurance. Indicate on CVI that individual identification is in place.
- Breed registry tattoos: Tattoos are allowed, when accompanied by breed registry papers and when accepted by both the shipping and receiving states.
Premises identification number (PIN)
Premises identification is another component of animal
disease traceability. The number links livestock and poultry locations to a
national database for better management of emergencies.
Benefits to livestock and poultry owners and operators with
a national PIN:
- Allows rapid notification of livestock and poultry
stakeholders during an emergency
- Helps prepare for animal health and food safety emergencies
- Helps track animals in an emergency
- Reduces the impact of an emergency
- Allows producers to purchase commercially available 840 ID
tags
- Maintains or provides greater market access
Ordering RFID tags
Oregon livestock may order tags directly from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Animal Health Program using the Producer RFID tag order form.
A Premises Identification Number (PIN) must be included on the order form that matches the farm/ranch's address. PINs may be obtained by completing the premises registration application and returning it with the supplies order.
A producer does not need a Premises Idenification Number if an accredited veterinarian applies RFID ear tags.
RFID reader loan
ODA has several RFID readers available to loan, free of charge, to Oregon livestock producers. The reader loan program is intended to provide producers an opportunity to evaluate the use of RFID in their operation without requiring an up-front investment in an RFID reader. RFID readers available for loan include the TruTest XRS2 VHF reader.
UHF readers will hopefully be added to this program soon.
Resources