NCBA Weighs in on ADT

NCBA Weighs in on New Animal Traceability Rules

I’m KayDee Gilkey with today’s Open Range.

With the publication of the final Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule in the Federal Register last week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has positive things to say about the final resulting rules.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons shares

Simmons: “We were encouraged that many of the priorities of cattlemen and women that were voiced during the rule making process have been included in the final rule for Animal Disease Traceability. USDA APHIS listened to the voices of livestock producers when drafting this rule. The final product is one that will help reduce the number of animals that are involved in investigation; reduce the time needed to respond; and decrease the cost to producers. The final ADT rule establishes general regulations for improving the traceability of U.S livestock moving interstate.”

Now that it has been published, the rule becomes effective Mar. 11, 2013.Under the rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate must be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates.

Beef cattle under 18 months of age, unless they are moved interstate for shows, exhibitions, rodeos, or recreational events, are exempt from the official ID requirement in this rule. Those specific traceability requirements will be addressed separately in the future.