Animal Disease Traceability rule
The Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule establishes minimum national identification and documentation requirements for the traceability of livestock moving between states. The purpose of the ADT rule is to improve disease traceability, enhance disease response, and minimize losses.
Animals covered by the ADT rule
The identification and documentation requirements for each kind of animal covered by the rule are summarized in “species-specific guides” on the USDA’s animal disease traceability webpage and outlined briefly here. Some states have even more stringent requirements in place. For specific state requirements, contact the state veterinarian's office for that state.
Bison
Official identification requirements apply to all sexually intact bison 18 months of age or over; bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events; and bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions. Interstate CVIs or other accepted movement documentation are required for all bison moved interstate unless otherwise exempt. Also see the USDA flowchart ADT Rule: Interstate Movement Requirements for Cattle and Bison.
Captive cervids (e.g., deer and elk)
The ADT rule references pre-existing regulations on transporting captive cervids and makes no changes in the requirements (9 CFR part 77) for interstate movement of these animals. Additionally, 9 CFR Part 55, Control of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), establishes official identification requirement for the CWD Herd Certification Program.
Cattle
Official identification requirements apply to all sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or over; all female dairy cattle of any age and all dairy males born after March 11, 2013; cattle of any age used for rodeo or recreational events; and cattle of any age used for shows or exhibitions. Interstate CVIs or other accepted movement documentation are required for all cattle moved interstate unless otherwise exempt. Also see the USDA flowchart ADT Rule: Interstate Movement Requirements for Cattle and Bison.
Goats
The ADT rule references other pre-existing regulations on transporting goats and makes no changes in the requirements (9 CFR part 79) for interstate movement of these animals. Also see the USDA’s NVAP reference guide for sheep and goat identification
Horses and other equines
In addition to the requirements established by the ADT rule, equines moving commercially to slaughter must be accompanied by documentation in accordance with 9 CFR part 88, and equine infectious anemia reactors moving interstate must be accompanied by documentation as required by 9 CFR part 75. Also see the USDA-APHIS ADT guide to identifying horses and other equines.
Poultry
All poultry, including backyard and pet poultry, are encompassed with certain exceptions, and previous requirements established through the National Poultry Improvement Plan remain. Also see the USDA-APHIS ADT guide to identifying poultry.
Sheep
The ADT rule references pre-existing regulations on transporting sheep and makes no changes in the requirements (9 CFR part 79) for interstate movement of these animals. Also see the USDA’s NVAP reference guide for sheep and goat identification.
Swine
The ADT rule references pre-existing regulations on transporting all swine (including pet swine) and makes no changes in the requirements (9 CFR part 71.19 and, if applicable, part 85) for interstate movement of these animals. Also see the USDA-APHIS ADT guide to swine identification.
Exemptions
Unless specifically exempted by the ADT rule, livestock covered by the rule and moved interstate must be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) or other documentation. Livestock species kept as pets are held to the same requirements as production animals of the same species.
Questions?
For more information about the ADT rule, refer to these sources.