States, Tribes Feeling Their Way Through Traceability Rule

USDA’s animal disease traceability (ADT) rule went into effect March 11. As individual states feel their way through the process and adopt rules and regulations in response to the new national standard, specialists encourage producers to stay informed on how the rule will impact them. Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan says the rule requires any sexually intact beef animal or bison over 18 months of age to have official ID prior to moving interstate. In addition, all dairy cattle, as well as all recreational and exhibition cattle of any age and gender are required to have official ID. “Every state has its import requirements already in place, and the new rule doesn’t change a lot in that way,” notes Mississippi State Veterinarian Jim Watson. He says the rule is designed to limit impact and change within the livestock industry, while simultaneously expediting traceability to the point of origin in the event of a disease outbreak...more