ANIMAL DISEASE TRACEABILITY PROGRAM
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, through its Office of Veterinary Services, collaborates with the USDA on the official identification of livestock and poultry involved in regulatory activities. Official identification (ID) tags are regulated by state and federal animal health officials to ensure unique and standardized animal identification is available to support animal health programs and rapid response to disease events. Responding rapidly and accurately to disease events helps to minimize impacts to animals and production systems and maintain consumer confidence in Virginia agriculture.
What is Animal Disease Traceability?
Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) supports animal health programs and effective response to disease events by:
- Providing official animal identification tags to livestock producers, veterinarians, and livestock marketing facilities throughout Virginia at no cost
- Providing information on regulatory programs and interstate movement requirements
- Utilizing information technologies such as electronically readable identification tags (RFID), field data collection devices, and geographic information systems
- Maintaining electronic records of all official identification tags distributed and related regulatory information (e.g., regulatory test and vaccination activities, interstate health certificates and livestock premises registration)
Official ID Tags
Official animal identification tags are used to identify livestock and poultry in Virginia and must be applied by an accredited veterinarian or state or federal animal health official. They are required for:
- Interstate movement of livestock
- Public sales and exhibitions
- Regulatory programs, such as brucellosis vaccination or certain disease testing
A Premises Identification Number (PIN) is required to purchase 840-series (RFID) identification tags. Special tag applicators are required. Learn about registering your premises by visiting Premises Registration, or email the Office of Veterinary Services.
How To Get Official 840-Series (RFID) Tags
Official 840-series (RFID) Tags can be obtained from:
- VDACS by Emailing Office of Veterinary Services
- 804-series electronic (RFID) tags are available at no cost.
- A fee will be charged to cover shipping.
- Accredited veterinarians
- Official Online ID Tag Vendor:
Official Scrapie ID Tag Vendors
Producers who already have a Flock ID can purchase official scrapie tags from several online vendors.
Scrapie Flock ID along with tags for sheep and goats can be requested from the USDA office in Richmond at 804.343.2560.
For additional information on Official 840-series (RFID) tags, read the USDA Official Eartags – Criteria and Options documentation.
840-series (RFID) Tag Requirements
- A Premises Identification Number (PIN) is required to purchase 840-series (RFID) identification tags.
- Special tag applicators are required.
Species-Specific Traceability Requirements
Learn more about traceability for each livestock species in Virginia:
Identification for Sales and Exhibitions in Virginia
- Except beef feeder cattle, all cattle moving to a public sale (livestock market, buying station, or sale barn) or public exhibition in Virginia must have an official ear tag.
- Sale or event managers may provide tagging services on-site, but a fee may apply.
Interstate Movement Requirements for Beef Cattle
All beef cattle moving interstate must have:
- Official 840-series (RFID) tags (cattle tagged with official USDA metal tags before November 5, 2024, are exempt from this requirement)
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
Except in the following conditions:
- Beef feeder cattle less than 18 months of age do not have to be individually identified but must be accompanied by a complete CVI.
- Cattle moving directly to slaughter from approved markets may use official back tags without CVI.
- Cattle moving temporarily to an adjacent state for grazing purposes that do not change ownership must be officially identified, but do not require a CVI. A signed Commuter Herd Agreement must be in place with both states before cattle move in this manner.
Identification for Sales and Exhibitions in Virginia
- All dairy cattle moving to a public sale (livestock market, buying station, or sale barn) or public exhibition in Virginia must have an official ear tag.
- Sale or event managers may provide tagging services on-site, but a fee may apply.
Interstate Movement Requirements for Dairy Cattle
All dairy cattle moving interstate must have:
- Official 840-series (RFID) tags (cattle tagged with official USDA metal tags before November 5, 2024, are exempt from this requirement)
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
Except in the following conditions:
- Cattle moving directly to slaughter from approved markets may use official back tags without CVI.
- Equines generally require some form of individual identification and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
- Owners should check specific state entry requirements before transporting horses across state lines.
- More details on federal requirements can be found on the USDA Animal Disease Traceability: A Guide to Identifying Horses and other Equines for Interstate Movement Factsheet.
- Visit the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection webpage to learn about Equine Interstate Event Permits.
- Most states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and official individual ID for sheep and goats moving interstate unless they are going directly to slaughter.
- Sheep and goats arriving at Virginia public livestock markets must be officially identified.
- Markets may provide tagging services, often for a fee.
- Approved Official 840-series (RFID) tags include USDA-approved ear tags used for the Scrapie Eradication or Flock Certification Programs.
- New producers can request a flock ID and a limited number of scrapie tags by contacting USDA at 866.873.2824.
Resources
- Most swine in Virginia belong to integrated commercial systems using identification programs endorsed by the pork industry.
- More Swine Industry program information:
- Independent swine producers moving animals' interstate (except direct to slaughter) generally need:
- Official ID tags or breed registry tattoos
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
- Producers should verify specific state entry requirements.
- Official 840-series swine tags are available online, and VDACS offers official metal swine tags at no cost.
Contact
For questions or more information, contact:
Richard Odom
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Virginia Animal Disease Traceability Program
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804.692.0600
Email richard.odom@vdacs.virginia.gov
