Animal disease traceability meetings scheduled

COLUMBUS — Many Ohio livestock producers are subject to requirements under the new Animal Disease Traceability rule implemented by USDA. The goal of the animal disease traceability system is to improve the response to a livestock disease outbreak in the U.S.

Rules

USDA issued final rules on the program in December 2012. Under the rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation.

The final rule accepts brands, tattoos and brand registration if that documentation is accepted by the shipping and receiving states or tribes.

Backtags will be accepted as an alternative to official eartags for cattle and bison moved directly to slaughter.

Meetings

ODA, along with USDA, are holding producer education meetings to discuss and explain the requirements of this new animal disease traceability system and how it relates to moving animals from one state to another.

Anyone that transports livestock across state lines, or has their own livestock should attend. It’s also targeted at veterinarians and their staff, OSU extension personnel, licensed livestock dealers, haulers or others interested in learning about the requirements of the rule.

All meetings are open to the public. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the USDA will be available to respond to questions.

Details

Below is a list of the presently scheduled meetings: Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. for dinner and 7 p.m. meeting, at Union Stockyards, 7510 state Route 138, Hillsboro, Ohio; Oct. 29 at Sugarcreek Livestock, 102 Buckeye St., Sugarcreek Ohio. Time to be determined; Oct. 30 at Stark County Cattleman/Farm Bureau. Time and location to be determined.); Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m., at UPI Hillsboro, 976 W Main St., Hillsboro Ohio.