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
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, 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 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: Scrapie ear tags are accepted. No identification
required on market lambs less than 18 months of age.
Acceptable official individual identification
- USDA silver “bright” tags (part of the National Uniform
Eartagging System-NUES). ODA will provide these free of charge to producers.
- Bangs calfhood vaccination tags.
- 840 ID tags (also referenced as animal identification
number-AIN). The tag has 15 digits beginning with 840, which is the numeric
code for the USA. The tag comes in various sizes, shapes, and colors. Radio
frequency identification (RFID) also is available. Producers need a premises
identification number, available from ODA, to purchase these tags. Producers
purchase these directly from commercial vendors (PIN number required).
- Brands. A single iron hot brand will be allowed, 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
Resources