March 21, 2013

Iowa implements USDA animal-disease traceability rule

Requirements for Iowa livestock farmers under the USDA Animal Disease Traceability rule that began Monday (Mar 11) were highlighted by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

The rule finalised regulations to improve the traceability of cattle/bison, equines, swine, sheep/goats, poultry and captive cervids moving in interstate commerce, according to a news release.

All covered livestock moved interstate must be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, unless they are specifically exempt.

The regulations specify approved forms of official identification for each species but would allow the livestock to be moved interstate with another form of identification, as agreed upon by animal-health officials in the shipping and receiving states.

The official forms of identification are: National Uniform Eartag System (NUES) tags; other official ID approved by the USDA; and 840 tags, which are 15-digit eartags reserved for US- born animals.

All tags after March 11, 2014, will have an official eartag shield with either "US" or the state postal abbreviation imprinted inside the shield. All animals tagged after March 11, 2015 will have tags with "US" or state postal abbreviation imprinted. Brands are acceptable only if the state of origin and the state of destination approve and have an agreement.

Iowa has no agreements in place and no current plans to develop any brand or commuter herd agreements. The rule also requires an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, unless the animals are moving to an approved tagging site; directly to slaughter; or an approved livestock facility, then to slaughter.

All Certificates of Veterinary Inspection must be sent to Iowa Department of Agriculture's Animal Industry Bureau within seven calendar days. Approved livestock facilities are required to maintain records for five years, except for poultry and swine, for which the requirement is records be kept for two years. Official identification distribution records must be kept by an accredited veterinarian, person or entity distributing official identification devices for five years.