After reviewing 944 public comments, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture responded to a July 2020 proposal to approve the use of RFID as official ear tags for interstate transportation of cattle, and decided The development of regulatory procedures will be used for future actions related to this proposal. According to APHIS, the initial notice will not be finalized, and all currently approved APHIS identification methods may be used for official identification until further notice is issued.
Joelle R. Hayden, a public affairs expert at APHIS, said in a prepared statement: “This statement means that we will not finalize the ear tag scheme outlined in the 2020 notice, but will use the regulatory process. , To take further actions related to the traceability of animal diseases. Before we start to formulate regulatory procedures, there really is no additional update to report. APHIS still believes that RFID tags will provide the best protection for the cattle industry and prevent The rapid spread of animal diseases, therefore, the use of RFID tags will continue to be encouraged in the regulatory process.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines “official ear tags” as identification tags with a single animal’s official identification number approved by APHIS. According to current regulations, this type of tag can be used as an official logo, and the current options include only visible metal and plastic tags, as well as RFID tags. The Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) regulations for cattle only apply to beef cattle with complete attributes over 18 months migrating in interstate trade, cattle used in exhibitions, rodeos and entertainment activities, and dairy cows.
This regulation allows brand and tattoos to be accepted as acceptable identifications with the consent of both the shipper and the receiver, and allows the use of group or batch identification numbers (GIN) as group or batch identification. APHIS will continue to share news and information related to the use of ADT and RFID tags, and will provide an opportunity for public comment during the regulatory development process.
