Livestock Must Be Tagged in USDA Plan to Trace Mad Cow Disease
This article is for subscribers only.
Most livestock moved across state lines will have to be identified and tracked under a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that aims to rapidly trace diseased animals to their origin.
Cattle and other animals covered by the regulation will have to be identified by ear marks, tattoos or brands and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection when moved from state to state, the USDA said today in a statement. The tracing will assist investigators who need to quickly discover the origins of cattle with mad cow disease or other ailments along with their herd mates, the USDA said.