Introduction
The cattle industry faces significant threats from foreign animal diseases. It is estimated that a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United States could result in $221 billion in economic losses (NCBA, 2024).
On May 9, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published an amendment to the current Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule in the Federal Register (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-86) electronically AND visually for certain cattle and bison transported across state lines or tribal boundaries. The new ADT rule will take effect on November 5, 2024.
Animals affected by the new ADT rule
The following animals are subject to the new ADT rule:
- All sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or older.
- Note: This rule currently excludes most feeder cattle.
- All dairy cattle of any age.
- All cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo, exhibition, or recreational events.
Animals tagged before November 5, 2024, with the previously approved visual-only tags do not need to be re-tagged with an Electronic identification ear tag (EID). These visual-only tags will remain the official identification for the animal's lifetime. Brands are not considered official individual identification in the state of Arizona nor most other brand states for the purposes of interstate movement. Brands primarily establish ownership in compliance with state law.
What is animal disease traceability?
Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) is crucial for ensuring a rapid response to animal disease outbreaks. An efficient and accurate ADT system helps identify where diseased and at-risk animals are, where they have been, and when they were there. This reduces the number of animals involved and exposed in a disease investigation and decreases the time needed to respond. Reducing the number of animal owners affected by a disease event lessens the economic impact on producers and the industry while helping to maintain commerce (APHIS, 2024).
Many producers are already familiar with visual tags under the 2013 rule. However, the 2024 amendment requires producers to use electronic tags instead. Currently, the only approved device that satisfies the requirements for both electronic and visual identification is the “840” EID button tag. EID tags will be available at no cost to producers through their State Veterinarian’s Offices (https://agriculture.az.gov/animals/state-veterinarians-office).
Is ADT information confidential?
The new regulation requiring electronically and visually readable EID tags upholds and builds on existing USDA disease programs, which have always maintained confidentiality. There are provisions in the law to protect confidential producer data held by the USDA. Personal information is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and will not be released (APHIS, 2024). Additionally, the tags are not geographic positioning devices (GPS) and do not track or transmit any environmental conditions nor store any information whatsoever. These EID tags are simply a unique number that can be read electronically instead of recording a 15-digit number by hand.
Transportation of livestock on Tribal Lands
As sovereign nations, tribes may choose to establish their own animal identification systems separate from the state. If tribal lands overlap state boundaries, livestock may move within tribal land without an EID tag. For example, the Navajo Nation occupies land in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Livestock can move within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation and across state lines within these bounds, but if livestock are moved outside this area, and into a different state, the amended rule and approved EID tags would apply to those animals. To say it another way, if animals are moved off tribal land for sale, slaughter, to a livestock market, or for any other reason, animal health entry and identification requirements of the destination state must be met.
For more information
For additional information or questions about the amended ADT rule, please contact your local Extension Agent or the Arizona State Veterinarian’s Office. More detailed information can also be found in the USDA APHIS Animal Disease Traceability Rule FAQ. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/traceability-faq.pdf
References
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. 2024. NCBA Statement on USDA Final Traceability Rule. https:// www.ncba.org/ncba-news/news-releases/news/details/37749/ncba-statement-on-usda-final-traceabilityrule
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). 2024. Frequently Asked Questions: Animal Traceability Rule. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/traceability-faq.pdf