USDA Issues Final Rule for Animal Disease Traceability USDA

[flounder]

Friday, December 21, 2012

USDA Issues Final Rule for Animal Disease Traceability


USDA Office of Communications sent this bulletin at 12/20/2012 02:15 PM EST

http://naiscoolyes.blogspot.com/2012/12/usda-issues-final-rule-for-animal.html



tss

 

[Anonymous]

After considering the public comments received, the final rule has several differences from the proposed rule issued in August 2011.








These include:








•Accepting the use of brands, tattoos and brand registration as official identification when accepted by the shipping and receiving States or Tribes








•Permanently maintaining the use of backtags as an alternative to official eartags for cattle and bison moved directly to slaughter








•Accepting movement documentation other than an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) for all ages and classes of cattle when accepted by the shipping and receiving States or Tribes








•Clarifying that all livestock moved interstate to a custom slaughter facility are exempt from the regulations








•Exempting chicks moved interstate from a hatchery from the official identification requirements








Beef cattle under 18 months of age, unless they are moved interstate for shows, exhibitions, rodeos, or recreational events, are exempt from the official identification requirement in this rule. These specific traceability requirements for this group will be addressed in separate rulemaking, allowing APHIS to work closely with industry to ensure the effective implementation of the identification requirements.

Looks to me like the USDA paid heed to much of the public comment-- and modified the rules originally proposed 8-10 years ago.... Much of this is essentially what is happening today- using brands, brand inspections, brand inspection documentation and backtags...

 

[Mike]

Nothing wrong at all with a brand as a "Group Indentifier Number" (means of identifying groups of cattle).