The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Rules in 2013 requiring certain classes of cattle to have “official identification” for interstate movement. This rule was updated in April 2024 requiring official identification to be both visually and electronically readable. The updated rule went into effect on November 5, 2024.
Understanding the ADT Rules
The USDA’s original ADT Rules mandated specific classes of cattle to have official identification for interstate movement. The updated regulations, which became effective on November 5, 2024, continue to apply to limited classes of cattle. Notably, these rules do not apply to cattle moving directly to slaughter. The affected classes of cattle include:
Sexually intact cattle over 18 months
All female dairy cattle (of any age)
Male dairy cattle born after March 11, 2013
All cattle used for rodeo, showing, and exhibition
This targeted approach aims to ensure that the most at-risk and traceable cattle populations are monitored effectively, minimizing potential outbreaks in the industry.
Supply of Official Identification Tags
The USDA is supplying approved tags while supplies last through state veterinarians. In Virginia, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has maintained a healthy supply of tags since the original 2013 ruling. The animal disease traceability information is stored in state and federal databases not available to the public. Cattle tagged with non-electronic official identification prior to November 5, 2024 do not need to be re-tagged. Their original tags will be grandfathered in for the lifetime of the animal.
Purpose of Electronic Identification
The primary goal of implementing electronic identification (EID) is to improve traceability in the event of disease outbreaks. With rapidly spreading foreign animal diseases, traceability could save the cattle industry billions of dollars. The speed and accuracy provided by electronic tracking enable faster containment measures, minimizing the number of affected herds that require quarantines and culling.
To illustrate the importance of these regulations, we can look to the United Kingdom's two recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks from 2001 and 2007. The difference in these outbreaks underscores the value of electronic tracking.
2001 Outbreak: lasted for 8 months, involved the depopulating of 6 million animals, and cost approximately $19 billion. The aftermath was devastating, with more than 50 farmers and veterinarians tragically taking their own lives due to the stress and financial ruin caused by the outbreak. Ultimately, it took 18 months for normal trade relations to resume.
2007 Outbreak: lasted only 4 months, involved the depopulating of just 2,100 animals, and cost about $200 million. In stark contrast, there were no reported suicides among farmers and veterinarians associated with this outbreak, and normal trade resumed within just 2 months.
Understanding these stark differences helps emphasize the crucial need for advanced systems in animal disease traceability.
Moving Forward with Confidence
The updated USDA Animal Disease Traceability Rules serve a significant role in protecting the U.S. cattle industry from the catastrophic effects that foreign animal disease outbreaks can cause. While adherence to these regulations may be seen as a challenge, the long-term benefits of establishing robust, traceable practices cannot be overstated. Remember, these measures are designed to safeguard not only individual operations but the entire cattle industry.
In summary, this updated framework by the USDA emphasizes the importance of electronic identification as a key tool to enhance resilience against animal disease crises. By understanding and preparing for these new requirements, cattle owners can contribute positively to the industry’s health and stability, ensuring a thriving agricultural future.
If you have any questions regarding these changes, don’t hesitate to contact ODVS and prepare ahead for any upcoming cattle shipping needs. Ensuring the continuous improvement of traceability measures will ultimately save lives, maintain herd health, and secure the future of cattle farming in America.
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