CERVIDAE INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP

CERVIDAE INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP: 

CERVIDAE INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP Draft recommendations

Implementation Guidelines: 

Implementation Guidelines The NAIS should be conducted through cooperative agreements involving USDA/APHIS, State Animal Health Authorities, Tribal Nations and U. S. cattle industry Producer’s data/information must be kept confidential / exempt from current Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements including inter-governmental sharing of data. Only approved animal health authorities at the federal and state level will have access to the information system(s) supporting the NAIS. Only information essential to the enhancement of animal disease surveillance and monitoring shall be stored in any state or federally managed database under the NAIS.

Implementation Guidelines, cont’d: 

Implementation Guidelines, cont’d Event(s) that trigger access to the data must be regulatory in nature: A confirmatory positive test for Lisa A diseases. The declaration of an animal disease emergency by the Secretary of Agriculture. Program diseases (Brucellosis, TB, etc.) traceback to determine the original of infection. Existing State Brand Inspection Systems will be recognized and utilized, whenever possible, for traceback. USDA/APHIS should integrate State Brand Inspection with the NAIS and State Animal Health Agencies. Implementation of the NAIS will be directed by the establishment of Uniform Methods and Rules.

Methods of Identification : 

Methods of Identification All premises that produce, manage, and/or hold cervidae and alternative livestock are to be identified through the State or Tribal animal health authority to achieve a standard national premises system. ISO compliant RFID ear tag will be the technology used to officially individually identify cervidae and alternative livestock. The RFID code (3 digit country code for the United States – 840 and a 12 digit animal number) imbedded in the transponder is also to be printed on the RFID Tag

Tag Distribution: 

Tag Distribution Official RFID ear tags may become available through any qualified person, group or organization that becomes certified by USDA to meet the requirements established for official US Animal Identification Number (USAIN) Managers or USAIN Tag Distributors. Official identification devices should be distributed under a certified USAIN distributor and be readily available for producers to purchase directly, via telephone, electronically or written order from the retail sector. All certifiable distribution systems must have the ability to associate the USAIN to the appropriate premises number

Individual Animal Identification Requirements : 

Individual Animal Identification Requirements Change of premises will trigger the need for official individual animal identification. The owner / seller is the person ultimately responsible for applying the official RFID tag to all individual animals offered for sale, moved interstate or commingled with other owners’ cervidae and alternative livestock. It is considered commingling when multiple owners mix their cervidae and alternative livestock at a common place and time including when commingled on trucks or trailers, livestock markets, exhibitions, joint grazing agreements, etc.

Exceptions To The Individual ID Requirements: 

Exceptions To The Individual ID Requirements Exceptions to ID requirements will be taken on a case by case basis as approved by the state’s regulatory agency

Reporting Cervidae and Alternative Livestock Movements : 

Reporting Cervidae and Alternative Livestock Movements Change of premises will trigger the need for official individual animal identification. All cervidae and alternative livestock that change premises are to have their official identification and subsequent movement reported to the National Animal Identification Database. Forms of reporting cervidae and alternative livestock movements may include: Electronic Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI), (where available) Electronic or hardcopy invoice Other methods as deemed appropriate by state animal health authorities. .

Reporting Cervidae and Alternative Livestock Movements: 

Reporting Cervidae and Alternative Livestock Movements Reportable commingling includes, but not limited to, cervidae and alternative livestock commingled with other producers cervidae and alternative livestock on: Trucks or trailers Livestock markets Exhibitions Joint grazing agreements Etc. Sole responsibility of the receiving premises or person responsible for the animals at the receiving premises. SPECIAL NOTE: Private treaty transactions: seller is encouraged to also report movement events. If the receiving premises fails to report, this self-policing crosscheck will help maintain the integrity of the NAIS, protect against liability of not knowing the final destination premises when cervidae and alternative livestock are sold, and verify that the reports are accurate and complete

Reporting Cervidae and Alternative Livestock Movements: 

Reporting Cervidae and Alternative Livestock Movements Required movement events are to be reported within 24 hours or the close of the next business day in order to track all animal movements within the 48-hour goal of the NAIS. Confirmation shall be available to both the seller and buyer involved that the reported movement has been entered into the National Animal Identification Database. Optional (not required) when: Cervidae and alternative livestock moving within premises or to other premises under the same person’s control and/or ownership, even when commingled with other cervidae and alternative livestock under the same control or ownership, on a case by case basis.

Export Identification and Reporting Requirements : 

Export Identification and Reporting Requirements All cervidae and alternative livestock exported from the U. S. must be identified with an official NAIS RFID tag prior to being loaded for export. The official tag number, the premises number from where the animal was last received, and the premises number of the export facility must be reported to the NAIS Database. The official individual numbers of the animals being exported and the premises ID number of the export facility will also be recorded on the U. S. Origin Health Certificate which accompanies the animal(s) to the country of destination. USDA/APHIS port veterinarians will report to the NAIS Database the official individual numbers of the animals being exported, date of export shipment and validation that the animals have been received at the export destination location.

Import Identification and Reporting Requirements : 

Import Identification and Reporting Requirements All cervidae and alternative livestock imported into the U. S. must be identified with an official individual number of the country of origin and/or official RFID tag of the country of origin. All cervidae and alternative livestock imported will be accompanied by a USDA/APHIS approved International Certificate of Identification which shall include a listing of the age and sex of all such cervidae and alternative livestock being imported