USDA To Push RFID Use Rule To Future Date

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The USDA recently announced that the July 2020 notice to make RFID the official ear tags for interstate movement of cattle will not be finalized and will instead go through the rulemaking process at a future date. (Photo courtesy of USDA.)

Following a review of public comments on a July 2020 proposal to approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as the official ear tag in the interstate movement of cattle, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) decided to hold off on implementation of the rule until a future date, leaving the original notice unfinalized. All current APHIS-approved identification methods may be used for official identification until further notice. APHIS still supports RFID tags for protection against the spread of disease and encourages its use while rulemaking is pending.

Current Applicability

Official ear tags must be APHIS-approved tags with an official identification number for individual animals. Currently accepted ear tags can be used as official identification, visual-only metal and plastic tags, and RFID tags. Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) regulations apply only to sexually intact beef animals over 18 months of age moving in interstate commerce, cattle used for exhibition, rodeo and recreational events, and all dairy cattle. Brands and tattoos are acceptable if shipping and receiving states agree. APHIS will continue efforts toward ADT and the use of RFID tags and will again provide opportunity for public comment when the rulemaking process moves forward.

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Source: USDA