Transporting livestock

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On May 9, 2024, USDA- APHIS published into the Federal Register the Final Animal Disease Traceability Rule Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison making visually and electronically readable tags the only form of official identification for sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age and older, all rodeo, exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate. This new rule will become effective November 5, 2024.

USDA’s Final 2024 Animal Disease Traceability rule only changes the type of tag that can be used, it does not change the class of animals that are required to be tagged.

Who can get EID Tags?

All producers can purchase 840 EID tags and applications directly from a tag distributer. To purchase 840 tags, you must have a premise ID number Assigned.

Accredited veterinarians can receive no cost EID tags from the Department of Veterinary Health.

If you are an accredited veterinarian needing to order tags or a producer who needs a Premises ID number, please contact our office of Veterinary Health at vetreports@ldaf.state.la.us or 225-925-3980

EID Tag Distributers

• Allflex USA Livestock identification tags, and tissue sampling - Allflex | Livestock Identification Tags, Tissue Sampling, and Precision Instruments

• Datamars US / Can (English) - Datamars

• All Data Tags All Data Tags - 840 USDA Cattle Tags

• Shearwell Data Shearwell Data - Animal Identification and Management Systems :: Shearwell.com

• Y-Tex yTex Corportation (y-tex.com)

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Livestock brought into Louisiana needs to be accompanied by an official health certificate ( Certificate of Veterinary Inspection ) stating the animals:

• Are free from signs of infectious or contagious diseases

• Are free from signs of internal and/or external parasites

• Meet specific requirements stated in this regulation

Health certificates are valid for 30 days.

No livestock affected with, or carrying the contagion of, screwworms shall be moved into Louisiana for any purpose.

Livestock consigned to an approved slaughter establishment or livestock auction market are exempt from the health certificate requirement.

Authority note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:2093.

Historical note: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock Sanitary Board, LR

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State Veterinarian issues REVISED Order of the State Veterinarian, effective August 9, 2024:

All lactating dairy cattle must be tested for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and show negative results within seven (7) days prior to admission to all fairs, livestock shows, exhibitions, and breeders' association sales.

The milk samples must be collected by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Testing must be conducted by a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. LSU Diagnostics (Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostics Lab) is a NAHLN lab. https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/laddl/

Each individual animal must be sampled, tested, and have negative results for HPAI.

The date of sample collection must be no more than seven (7) days prior to the arrival at the fair.

In lieu of NAHLN test results in hand, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, including individual official animal identification and negative HPAI results for samples collected from all lactating dairy cows within seven (7) days of arrival at the event, will also be acceptable for intrastate animals.

Failure to abide by these import requirements may result in a civil penalty of five thousand dollars imposed in accordance with La. R.S. 3:2093 and 2137. Additionally, violation of this order may constitute a crime, which, upon conviction, shall result in a fine of not less than five thousand, nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year, nor more than ten years, or both, pursuant to La. R.S. 3:2137.

View the revised Order of the State Veterinarian here.

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A federal requirement, effective March 11, 2013, governs the interstate movement of livestock covered under the Animal Disease Traceability rule:

• Bison

• Captive cervids

• Cattle

• Equine

• Goats

• Poultry

• Sheep

• Swine

These livestock must be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) when traveling interstate unless subject to specific exemptions.

To comply with the USDA's Animal Disease Traceability regulations:

1. Get necessary animal health certificates from an accredited veterinarian.

2. Send completed health certificates to our office within 7 days of issue (mail, fax, email)

3. We will forward a copy of the health certificates to the state of destination

Any further individual entry requirements are determined by the state of destination. Please check with that state in a timely manner to adhere to all requirements. Find contact information for state animal health officials on the U.S. Animal Health Association website .

Contact us for more information on electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (eCVI)s, to register for the Louisiana eCVI, or to place an order for health certificates (paper-based or electronic fillable PDFs).

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For information on international travel, call the USDA APHIS Area Office in Flowood, MS, at 601-936-8580.