R58-1-3. Official Identification Devices and Methods

(1) Any State, Tribe, accredited veterinarian, or other person or entity who distributes official identification devices must maintain for 5 years a record of the names and addresses of anyone to whom the devices were distributed.

(2) An official identification number is a nationally unique number that is permanently associated with an animal or group of animals and that adheres to one of the following systems:

(a) National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES).

(b) Animal identification number (AIN).

(c) Location-based number system.

(d) Flock-based number system.

(e) Any other numbering system approved by the animal health official of the state of origin for the official identification of animals.

(3) The Department has approved the following official identification devices or methods for the species listed.

(a) The Department may authorize the use of additional devices or methods for a specific species if the Department determines that such additional devices or methods will provide for adequate traceability.

(4) Cattle and bison that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by means of:

(a) An official eartag; or

(b) Brands registered with a recognized brand inspection authority and accompanied by an official brand inspection certificate, when agreed to by the shipping and receiving State or Tribal animal health authorities; or

(c) Tattoos and other identification methods acceptable to a breed association for registration purposes, accompanied by a breed registration certificate, when agreed to by the shipping and receiving State or/Tribal animal health authorities; or

(d) Group/lot identification when a group/lot identification number (GIN) may be used.

(5) Horses and other equine species that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by one of the following methods:

(a) A description sufficient to identify the individual equine including, but not limited to, name, age, breed, color, gender, distinctive markings, and unique and permanent forms of identification when present (e.g., brands, tattoos, scars, cowlicks, blemishes or biometric measurements); or

(b) Electronic identification that complies with ISO 11784/11785; or

(c) Non-ISO electronic identification injected to the equine on or before June 30, 2013; or

(d) Digital photographs sufficient to identify the individual equine.

(6) Poultry that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by one of the following methods:

(a) Sealed and numbered leg bands; or

(b) Group/lot identification when a group/lot identification number (GIN) may be used.

(7) Sheep and goats that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by one of the following methods:

(a) Electronic implants when accompanied by a certificate or owner statement that includes the electronic implant numbers and the name of the chip manufacturer; or

(b) Official eartags, including tags approved for use in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program or APHIS-approved premises identification number eartags when combined with a unique animal identification number; or

(c) United States Department of Agriculture backtags or official premises identification backtags that include a unique animal identification number, when used on sheep or goats moving directly to slaughter and when applied within 3 inches of the poll on the dorsal surface of the head or neck; or

(d) Legible official registry tattoos that have been recorded in the book of record of a sheep or goat registry association when the animal is accompanied by either a registration certificate or a certificate of veterinary inspection.

(i) These tattoos may also be used as premises identification if they contain a unique premises prefix that has been linked in the National Scrapie Database with the assigned premises identification number of the flock of origin; or

(e) Premises identification eartags or tattoos, if the premises identification method includes a unique animal number or is combined with a flock eartag that has a unique animal number and the animal is accompanied by an owner statement; or

(f) Premises identification when premises identification is allowed and the animal is accompanied by an owner statement; or

(g) Any other official identification method or device approved by the animal health official of the state of origin.

(8) Swine that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by one of the following methods:

(a) Official eartags; or

(b) United States Department of Agriculture backtags, when used on swine moving to slaughter; or

(c) Official swine tattoos, when used on swine moving to slaughter; or

(d) Ear notching when used on any swine, if the ear notching has been recorded in the book of record of a purebred registry association; or

(e) Tattoos on the ear or inner flank of any swine, if the tattoos have been recorded in the book of record of a swine registry association;

(f) For slaughter swine and feeder swine, an eartag or tattoo bearing the premises identification number assigned by the State animal health official to the premises on which the swine originated; or

(g) Any other official identification device or method that is approved by the animal health official of the state of origin; or

(h) Group/lot identification when a group/lot identification number (GIN) may be used.

(9) Captive cervids that are required to be officially identified for interstate movement must be identified by one of the following methods:

(a) Official eartag; and

(b) A tattoo that is placed peri-anally or inside the right ear and consist of a number assigned by the animal health official of the state of origin; or

(c) A microchip that has been placed in the right ear.