USDA proposes rule to ease ID requirements on cattle and bison being shipped across state lines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule to allow cattle and bison to travel across state lines without official identification "if they are shipped to no more than one approved livestock marketing facility and then directly to a slaughter plant,"  Philip Brasher reports for Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter. All other livestock are normally required to have official ID when being moved interstate.

Livestock owners have complained that delays while waiting for Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspection have caused animals to lose weight and hurt their market value, Brasher writes: "A separate provision of the rule would specify that federal and state inspectors can look at records and receipts held by marketing facilities that relate to pest detection, control or eradication efforts. The facilities would have to maintain records of receipt, distribution and application of ID devices and USDA-approved backtags." (Read more)