Animals, Pigs, Roosters, Cattle, Sheep, and Horses

Animal Disease Traceability

The ability to rapidly trace movements of diseased animals or at-risk animals exposed to disease is essential for a prompt response to an animal disease event. Animal disease traceability does not prevent disease but is an indispensable element for ongoing disease control programs and for animal health officials responding to emergency diseases. Federal and state animal health officials, in cooperation with livestock industry stakeholders, developed an animal traceability framework to enhance the ability to trace the movement of livestock. The United States Department of Agriculture has the authority to regulate and promulgate regulations for the interstate movement of livestock.

UPDATES

New! Movement Restrictions due to Disease Outbreaks
New! As of April 26, 2024, USDA APHIS published its final Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule into the Federal Register regarding the use of electronic identification (EID) eartags as official identification (ID) in cattle and bison. The intent of these changes is to strengthen the ability of the US to quickly respond to significant animal disease outbreaks, as rapid traceability is critical to ensuring appropriate disease response and timely return to business continuity.
Changes include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Official eartags sold for or applied to cattle and bison must be both electronically and visually readable.
- The definition of dairy cattle – "All cattle, regardless of age or sex or current use, that are of a breed(s) of offspring of a breed used to produce milk or other dairy products for human consumption, including, but not limited to, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn, and Red and Whites."
- The definition of approved tagging site – "A premises, authorized by APHIS, State, or Tribal animal health officials, where livestock without official identification may be transferred to have official identification applied on behalf of their owner or the person in possession, care, or control of the animals when they are brought to the premises."
This rule will come into effect on November 5, 2024.
New! No-cost Electronic Identification (EID) Eartags for Cattle and Bison Available to California Producers, Veterinarians, and Approved Tagging Sites

Premises Identification Number (PIN)

A Premises Identification Number (PIN) is a unique alphanumeric number assigned to a geographic location where livestock or poultry are managed or other locations associated with animal agriculture.

PINs are permanently assigned to a single location and must match the “911” address/physical location of the animals. If, for example, a producer moves their farm’s location, they will need to apply for a new PIN.

Identifying premises involved in animal agriculture is an asset to achieving an efficient and effective animal disease traceability program in the case of an animal disease event or emergency. Participation in this program is voluntary; however, a PIN is required to order official electronic ID eartags.

To request a PIN, complete AHB Form 76-196-W (Location Number Request) and submit to either your local AHB district office or the contact on the application.

If you need to confirm whether you already have a PIN, need to update your contact information, or your address is incorrect, please contact CDFA.

Electronic Identification (EID) Eartags for Cattle and Bison

Through the USDA, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering electronic identification (EID) eartags at no cost for use in cattle and bison to California-based producers, California licensed and Category II accredited veterinarians, and approved tagging sites. CDFA also has a limited number of tag applicators and tag readers available for loan. Tags and equipment are available as supplies last.

To obtain EID eartags through CDFA or the tag manufacturer directly, you must have a Premises ID Number (PIN). See the “Premises Identification Number” section on this page for further information about PINs.

Producers

EID Tag Request Form 76-226 (Application)
Recordkeeping Templates: EID Tag Application Log for Producers (PDF) - EID Application Log for Producers (Spreadsheet)
EID Program Information – English - Spanish

Veterinarians

Approved Tagging Sites

EID Tag Request Form 76-228 (Application)
EID Equipment Agreement 76-225 (Application)
EID Tag Application Log for Approved Tagging Sites
EID Program Information: English - Spanish

List of Approved Tagging Sites in California.

Where can I submit my EID eartag requests and reporting forms?

Animal Health Branch district office

Redding: evet@cdfa.ca.gov
Modesto: cdfa.ahfss_ahb_modestodata@cdfa.ca.gov
Tulare: cdfa.tularedata@cdfa.ca.gov
Ontario: evet@cdfa.ca.gov

Where can I buy EIDs eartags?

Approved EID Tag Manufacturers

How do I place EID tags in cattle?

Allflex EID Tag Application Guide

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs)

Category II accredited and California licensed veterinarians can request official paper Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) for Livestock and Poultry (AHB Form 77-010) from CDFA by either calling (916) 900-5002 or emailing ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov. Paper CVIs come in booklets of 25 each and, once issued, must be submitted to CDFA within 7 days.

Electronic CVIs (eCVIs) are also available to use for both large and small animal veterinarians through third-party service providers.

Interstate Movement Requirements

It is important to verify entry requirements of the destination state before moving livestock and poultry in order to ensure that shipments comply with interstate movement laws and regulations.

Please contact the destination state directly or visit the following websites to determine entry requirements for each state:

Special Movement Documents

Pasture-to-Pasture Permits (P2P)

Available for beef breeding herds moving for pasture over the course of one grazing season between California and one of the following states: Oregon, Nevada, and Idaho. This permit allows for exemptions for certain movement and testing requirements. To apply or learn more about Pasture-to-Pasture Permits, call the Animal Health Branch Permit Line at (916) 900-5052.

Pasture-to-Pasture Permit application

Working Horse Permits (WHP)

Horses that are used for livestock husbandry or other ranch-related activities in both California and either Nevada or Idaho may be exempt from the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection requirement for entry to California if the owner obtains a Working Horse Permit. These permits are valid until the end of a calendar year. Working Horse Permits are not allowed for horses used for show or exhibition and are primarily issued to owners who already have a Pasture-to-Pasture Permit for grazing beef cattle. To apply or learn more about Working Horse Permits, call the Animal Health Branch Permit Line at (916) 900-5052.

Working Horse Permit application

Extended Equine Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI)

An option for owners of horses traveling frequently between California and other states is the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI), provided by Global Vet Link. An EECVI is valid for up to six (6) months and can be used for interstate movement instead of a traditional CVI, which is valid for 30 days from the date of inspection. Veterinarians create an EECVI online through the GVL software system and provide owners with access to create the required travel permits for each interstate movement. For more information about this program, refer to our handouts for equine veterinarians and equine owners, or visit GlobalVetLink.