Mandatory EID Still a Concern for USCA

When it comes to mandatory electronic identification, or EID, eartags in bison and cattle moving interstate, the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association has repeatedly brought up multiple concerns. I recently had a chance to catch up with their president, Justin Tupper…

“We’re always cautious about mandating.”

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association addresses that while disease traceability is a priority amongst the industry, they say there was already a robust system in place that allowed for the flexibilities outlined in USDA’s Animal Disease Traceability Framework…

“Mandating an EID tag that’s low frequency that you still have to catch their head to read, we don’t see does anything to help any of that.”

One of their main concerns: the potential misuse of information gleaned by a mandatory EID system.

USDA's rule requiring EID eartags for cattle traveling across state lines went into effect Nov. 5, 2025. Litigation against the rule is pending.

For more from the USDA as to the what, where, and why, as well as to read the full text of the rule, visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/traceability