Animal Disease Traceability

Last Modified: April 10, 2024
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Animal disease traceability is knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are, where they have been, and when is important to ensuring a rapid response when animal disease events take place.

Although animal disease traceability does not prevent disease, an efficient and accurate traceability system reduces the number of animals and response time involved in a disease investigation. This, in turn, reduces the economic impact on owners and affected communities.

Overarching Goals To Increase Traceability

A comprehensive animal disease traceability system is our best protection against a devastating disease outbreak. USDA is committed to implementing a modern system that tracks animals from birth to slaughter using affordable technology that allows for quick tracing of sick and exposed animals to stop disease spread. In September 2018, USDA established four overarching goals to increase traceability. These goals are: 

  • Advance the electronic sharing of data among Federal and State animal health officials, veterinarians, and industry, including sharing basic animal disease traceability data with the Federal animal health events repository;
  • Use electronic identification tags for animals requiring individual identification in order to make the transmission of data more efficient;
  • Enhance the ability to track animals from birth to slaughter through a system that allows tracking data points to be connected; and
  • Elevate the discussion with States and industry to work toward a system where animal health certificates are electronically transmitted from private veterinarians to State animal health officials.

Final Rule: Traceability for Livestock Moving Interstate

On January 9, 2013, USDA published a final rule (9 CFR 86) titled "Traceability for Livestock Moving Interstate." The rule establishes requirements for the official identification of livestock and documentation for certain interstate movements of livestock.

Specifically, unless exempted, livestock belonging to species covered by the regulations that are moved interstate must:

  • Be officially identified, and
  • Be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or other movement document.

Livestock species covered under this rule include cattle and bison, horses and other equine species, poultry, sheep and goats, swine, and captive cervids.

Official identification and movement documentation is essential to tracing livestock when disease is found. More information about this rule and exemptions can be found below under "Program Documents and Information."

Resources

How To Obtain a PIN or LID in Your State

A premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID) is a unique code permanently assigned to a physical location and is required to purchase official animal identification tags. Each State administers PIN or LID registration. Learn more.
Interstate Animal Movement Requirements

Find quick, accurate access to State import requirements for livestock.
How To Become an AIN Device Manager

(PDF, 279.28 KB)

Want to become an animal identification number (AIN) device manager? Download this document to learn how.

State Road Maps: Traceability Implementation Plans

The following States, Territories, and Tribal Nations are cooperators with USDA for the implementation of the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program. As part of the cooperative agreement with USDA, cooperators provide ADT Road Maps to reflect their long-term plan and approach for implementing the ADT. These reports are provided below.

 

Contact Us

For more information on the ADT program, email us at traceability@usda.gov. We also encourage you to contact your State animal health official to learn more about your State's traceability activities and requirements.

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