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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 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 Movement Restrictions due to Disease Outbreaks

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – Poultry and Wild Birds
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus - Livestock
• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

New Free Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cattle Ear Tags

California ADT Regulations

Animal disease traceability regulations, including requirements for movement of cattle, identification, and documentation, can be found in Chapter 2, Division 2 of Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations.. These include the requirement that:

1. All dairy cattle born after January 1, 2017 must be officially identified prior to leaving their birth premises, unless moving directly to an approved tagging site.
2. All dairy cattle changing ownership require official identification unless moving directly to:
   • An approved tagging site
   • A recognized slaughtering establishment with a USDA approved backtag
3. Non-virgin bulls less than 18 months of age and all bulls 18 months of age and over must bear individual official identification prior to change of ownership (unless moving directly to a recognized slaughter facility or on a Bull Slaughter Agreement).

• Summary of Animal Disease Traceability Regulations

For Veterinarians

We encourage the use of electronic technology for animal disease traceability purposes, which includes Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), RFID readers (wands), electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs), and USDA's Mobile Information Management (MIM) software. Use of electronic technology for animal disease traceability increases the ease, efficiency, and accuracy of data used for daily herd management, movement, routine veterinary services, and in the event of disease outbreaks.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cattle ear tags available to California accredited veterinarians from CDFA

To increase the use of official RFID tags in herd replacements not currently using electronic identification, the USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services (VS) is distributing no-cost official (840 series) white and orange low radio frequency identification (RFID) half duplex cattle ear tags. These tags will be distributed to producers through their accredited veterinarians. Accredited veterinarians can request the tags by contacting Animal Health Branch district offices or emailing evet@cdfa.ca.gov. The number of tags distributed will be determined by the supply.

Resources

Please refer to our page on Electronic CVIs (eCVIs) for information on CVI options for small animals and large animals and links to eCVI providers.

General Animal Movement Information for Accredited Veterinarians can be found on our website, including information on obtaining CVIs, resources for movement requirements, and responsibilities of accredited veterinarians.

Timely submission and accurate completion of required forms and information by accredited veterinarians to the Animal Health Branch is critical for animal disease traceability and disease surveillance.

Please contact CDFA-AHB headquarters or your local district office if you are interested in incorporating electronic technology for animal disease traceability in your practice.

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium has released a video that explains the use of individual official identification of animals and premises registration and their importance for a strong animal disease traceability system.

Interstate Movement Requirements

It is important to verify entry requirements of the destination state before moving livestock and poultry; some states may have additional regulations and requirements.

Please visit the following websites to determine entry requirements for each state:

• http://www.interstatelivestock.com/
• http://animalregs.com

Special Movement Documents

Pasture-to-Pasture Permits
In certain circumstances, a Pasture-to-Pasture Permit may be issued for beef breeding cattle moving for pasture over the course of one grazing season between California and one of the following states: Oregon, Nevada, and Idaho. Please call the Animal Health Branch Permit Line at (916) 900-5052 to learn more about Pasture-to-Pasture Permits.
Pasture-to-Pasture Permit application

Working Horse Permits
Horses that are used for livestock husbandry or other ranch-related activities in both California and certain states (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. Please call the Animal Health Branch Permit Line at (916) 900-5052 to learn more about Working Horse Permits.
Working Horse Permit application

Extended Equine Certificates of Veterinary Inspection
An option for owners of horses traveling frequently between California and other states and not being sold 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, please refer to our handout for equine vets and handout for equine owners, or visit Global Vet Link EECVI.

Identification of Premises

Identification of premises involved in animal agriculture is an asset to achieving an efficient and effective animal disease traceability program. Producers voluntarily contribute to the effectiveness of the program by obtaining a Premises Identification Number (PIN). Producers are required to obtain a PIN to order official AIN (840) tags from manufacturers. To obtain a PIN, complete the Location Number Request form located at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/pdfs/76-196_w_location_number_request.pdf and send it to your local CDFA Animal Health Branch district office or the contact on the form. If you have any questions, please contact your CDFA Animal Health Branch district office, call (866) 325-5681, or email PAIS@cdfa.ca.gov.