New federal regulations covering the interstate movement of livestock are now in effect, and the Indiana Board of Animal Health is implementing new rules governing the movement of animals within the state. Dr. Bret Marsh, state veterinarian, says most Indiana producers are already doing what is necessary, “Many of the things producers are doing no will work well and will continue to be recognized under the new federal rules as well as the new state rules.” Marsh says the new rules will be presented to the board this week and will require all livestock to be tagged, “If we are using radio frequency ID, that is an 840 tag, or if a plastic or steel noose tag is used, then those will be recognized anywhere in the US.”
Bret-Marsh
Marsh says the new rules also require premise identification, something that is already well established in Indiana, “We have nearly 60 locations registered as livestock premises in the state.” He told HAT the information collected by BOAH is secure and protected. He added it is important to have this information so that people can be notified quickly if there is a disease incident. Marsh praised Hoosier livestock producers for adopting these new procedures well ahead of much of the rest of the nation and, as a result, they will see very little disruption in the movement of livestock. He added that many of the major livestock shows in the state have adopted the new tagging protocols several years ago, “Both the Hoosier Beef Congress and the Indiana State Fair now require this electronic identification of livestock.”
Dr. Marsh and BOAH staff have been discussing the new rules at winter livestock meetings around the state and are collecting producer and industry comments. Marsh said the first reading of the rules will take place at this week’s board meeting with final implementation expected by late in the year. The next meeting of the Board of Animal Health will take place, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at the Board of Animal Health office at Discovery Hall – Suite 100, 1202 East 38th Street, , Indianapolis, Indiana.
For more information in the new rules visit http://www.in.gov/boah/2336.htm
