250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-7.8

Current through October 15, 2024

Section 250-RICR-40-05-7.8 - Identification

A. Animals Requiring Official Identification. All animals require official identification prior to being moved into or out of the State of Rhode Island, prior to being commingled with animals from other flocks, and after a change in ownership of a flock or individual animal.

1. Official identification must meet the following criteria:

a. Permanence;

b. Security;

c. Assignment of a unique number from a central repository;

d. Traceability, for which the owner is responsible.

2. Official identification must be through one of the following program-approved means:

a. Official tamper-resistant ear tag

(1) Approved by APHIS for use in a Scrapie Eradication Program;

(2) Approved for use in animals taking part in a Scrapie Flock Certification Program.

b. Official USDA Back Tag

Used on animals going directly to slaughter only.

c. Tattoos

(1) Applied at flank or ear (or in the case of goats registered with the American Dairy Goat Association, at the tail web);

(2) Approved for use in animals participating in a Scrapie Flock Certification Program;

(3) Approved by APHIS in the Scrapie Eradication Program;

(4) Recorded in an animal registry association record book, when the animal is accompanied by a certificate of registration from the association or an owner custody statement.

d. Electronic Identification Implants

(1) Approved for use in animals participating in a Scrapie Flock Certification Program and when accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection or an owner statement that includes the chip manufacturer and chip numbers.

(2) Approved for use in animals with a national breed registry association and the electronic ID implant number is recorded by the registry on the registration certificate accompanying that animal.

(3) The animal must be accompanied by an implant reader capable of reading the electronic implant in that animal.

B. Animals Not Requiring Official Identification. A restricted movement feeder animal that has not been designated as scrapie positive, suspect, high-risk, or exposed as defined in 9 C.F.R. § 79.1 may be moved without official identification pursuant to 9 C.F.R. § 79.3), provided that the animal is moved to:

1. A state-approved livestock market that has an official veterinarian and restricts the sale of unidentified animals to slaughter channels in a manner approved by the board; or,

2. A slaughtering establishment, either directly or through market channels; or,

3. A terminal feedlot, either directly or through market channels, when accompanied by a restricted movement certificate.

C. Application of Official Identification.

1. Owners are responsible for applying official identification.

2. For premises identification, the two-letter state abbreviation followed by three numbers ranging from 001 to 999 should be initiated and maintained at the USDA, APHIS, VS, and area office in a State. For example, participating premises in the State of Rhode Island will be identified as RI 001, RI 002, etc., to RI 999. If additional codes are needed, States can use an alphabetical identification system (e.g. AAA, AAB, A01, A02, etc.).

3. Users of Electronic Identification shall:

a. Place the implant above or dorsal to the auricular cartilage; and,

b. Provide an identification certificate when selling electronically identified animals. This certificate must state:

(1) The animal's date of birth, sex, breed, registration name and number;

(2) The electronic identification number and any secondary identification assigned to the animal; and,

(3) The breeder's name and street address, including city and state, or township, county and state, and telephone number.

4. The buyer of an animal with electronic identification shall keep the electronic identification certificate with the animal's records to document receiving electronic identification.

5. Users of ear or flank tattoos shall:

a. Use two separate tattoos:

(1) A five (5) character, alphanumeric premises code assigned by APHIS, as explained above, and,

(2) A legible unique animal number.

b. Apply the premises code in the right ear and individual animal number in the left ear, or place both numbers in each ear, or place both numbers on the right flank in the wool-free area;

c. Animals with breed or registry tattoos require only a premises code tattoo in the right ear or on the right flank. American Dairy Goat Association registration tattoos that have a unique premises ID number may use the registered premises ID in place of a State code.

d. In the case of goats registered with the American Dairy Goat Association, the tattoo may be placed on the tail web.

D. Removal of official identification. No person may tamper with or remove any official identification without prior written permission from the Board.

E. Removal of animals from slaughter channels. No animal that has been sold, moved or transferred into slaughter channels, including an animal in a terminal feedlot, may be removed from slaughter channels. No animal may be removed from slaughtering establishments, or yards immediately contiguous to slaughtering establishments, without first obtaining authorization from a State Veterinarian or an APHIS representative.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-7.8