USDA - APHIS - Animal Welfare

Policy #8: Criteria for Licensing Hoofstock Dealers
Issue Date: March 25, 2011

References:
AWA Section 2133
9 CFR, Part 1, Section 1.1
9 CFR, Part 2, Section 2.1

History:
Replaces memoranda dated Feb. 6, 1991; April 4, 1991; June 19, 1991; July 1, 1991; and Sept. 26, 1994. Replaces policies dated October 13, 1998 and August 26, 2002 and previously identified as Policy #23.

Justification:
Provides needed clarification.

Policy:
The following criteria are examples of when a dealer’s license is required for people selling hoofstock:

Sells animals only for regulated purposes such as biomedical research, exhibition or as pets.

Sells the majority of their domesticated farm hoofstock (sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, llamas) for regulated purposes and more than 10 animals are sold for regulated purposes in a 12 month period.

Sells more than 10 wild hoofstock (such as deer, bison, or elk) for regulated purposes in a 12 month period or one or more exotic animals such as a zebra, hippopotami, ibex, camel, giraffe, etc.

The following criteria are examples of activities which we believe do not warrant our inspection of the premises or require the issuance of a license:

Sales to game ranches, or to private collectors.
Sales for breeding purposes only.
Sales for agricultural purposes or to improve food and fiber production.

Generally, farm animals are regulated only for purposes of biomedical research, nonagricultural exhibit, or dealing as defined above. Horses are regulated only when used for biomedical research.