Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Cattle - Mandatory influenza testing for interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle
- USDA may require testing for other classes of cattle in the future based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile
- Access a summary of these additional requirements
Additionally, cattle entering the state must meet import requirements which in most instances will include a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI). Animals included on the CVI should not be known to be infected with or exposed to contagious diseases, or showing signs of contagious or infectious disease, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Understanding of this disease continues to grow and requirements may be updated as new information is received. For further information on the current situation in cattle, visit the DATCP webpage on HPAI in Cattle.
This information is current as of June 20, 2024.
All states are included in the below requirements with the exception of Texas and Michigan.
These are the requirements for domestic cattle and bison from all states except Texas and Michigan:
- For import requirements for exotic ruminant species (e.g. yaks, water buffalo), please visit the exotic species page.
- No M-branded bovine/cattle from other states may be imported to Wisconsin except directly to a slaughter facility. For M-branded cattle imported directly from Mexico, please call the import coordinator (608) 224-4874.
- If you wish to import animals from several different states, or if the animals have been in the origin state for fewer than 120 days, please contact the import coordinator.
Importing breeding cattle or exhibition animals from states other than Michigan and Texas
- Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is required:
- Include complete physical origin and destination address.
- Indicate on CVI if adult dairy breed females are lactating or dry.
- Include a statement that lactating dairy cattle are both free from and have not been exposed to a known contagious and infectious disease.
- Individual Official ID requirements for the CVI:
- Required for all dairy breed cattle of any sex or age or for any purpose
- Unless dairy breed steers are moving for rodeos, recreational events, shows, or exhibitions, a statement indicating the animals are officially identified is acceptable in lieu of listing the ID
- The following are official ID:
- USDA ear tag number that are part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code), both the silver "brite" tag and the orange brucellosis tag (e.g. 35ABC1234)
- USDA Animal Identification Number tag with country code (includes the visual number and/or RFID) - 15-digit number starting with 840 for US origin (or 124 for Canadian origin) cattle
- Manufacturer-coded RFID tag - 15-digit number with the first three digits in a 900 series, such as 980, 982 or 985 (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015)
- American ID tag - 8-12-digit number prefaced with "USA" (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015 and if the entire number, including the "USA," is written on the CVI)
- Please note: Wisconsin has no reciprocal agreements with other states regarding the use of tattoos and registration numbers as identification. As a result, breed association tattoos and breed registration numbers are not accepted as official identification. In addition, brands are not accepted as official ID
- "Pending" official ID or partial ID numbers on paperwork are not acceptable
- If an animal has more than one form of official identification, all the IDs must be listed on the CVI
- A negative influenza test with a collection date within seven (7) days of import is required for lactating dairy cattle:
- Include test collection date, result, lab, and accession number on CVI
- Non-lactating dairy cattle, including dry cows, heifers, and bull calves, are not required to be tested.
- Lactating dairy cattle from herds with a positive influenza test result within the last 30 days are ineligible for import
- Lactating dairy cattle with clinical signs consistent with influenza are ineligible for import
- See the DATCP webpage on HPAI in Cattle for additional information and biosecurity recommendations for this emerging and evolving disease
- No TB tests required
- No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required
- No import permit required (except for bovines that are part of a rodeo, circus, or menagerie; visit the Circuses, Rodeos, and Menageries page)
- Fairs or exhibitions may have additional requirements; contact the show organizers for more information
Importing Dairy Breed Slaughter Cattle
Lactating dairy slaughter cattle imported to any location except directly to a slaughter establishment, including to a federally approved market, are required to meet the import requirements above.
Lactating dairy slaughter cattle imported DIRECTLY to a slaughter establishment are not required to be tested for influenza prior to movement to slaughter. However, they must meet the following requirements:
- Movement documentation
- CVI with official identification listed OR
- Owner Hauler Statement, submitted to the state of origin AND state of destination; visit the Owner Hauler Statement web page for instructions
- Lactating dairy cattle with clinical signs consistent with influenza are ineligible for import for any purpose including slaughter
Nonlactating dairy cattle, including dry cows, heifers, or calves going directly to a slaughter establishment or directly to an approved federal market and then directly to a slaughter establishment are not required to have official individual ID, influenza testing, or a CVI. However, they must have a backtag and an owner hauler statement, or other paperwork that contains the required information of an owner hauler statement such as a bill of lading or bill of sale (reference "Owner Hauler Statement Requirements" below).
Nonlactating dairy cattle designated as slaughter animals but not sent directly to a slaughter establishment or directly to an approved federal market and then directly to a slaughter establishment must meet import requirements above.
Owner Hauler Statement Requirements:
- Location from which the animals originated
- Destination of the animals (not the address of the consignee)
- Total number of animals
- Species of animals
- Name and address of the owner at the time of the movement
- Name and address of the hauler
Importing Beef Breed Cattle or Bison from States Other Than Michigan and Texas
- Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) required:
- Include complete physical origin and destination address.
- Individual Official ID included on the CVI:
- Required for sexually intact animals of any age, including calves at side and feeder heifers
- Required for all cattle and bison of any age or sex including steers moving for rodeos, recreational events, shows, or exhibitions
- Only beef steers not moving for rodeos, recreational events, shows, or exhibitions are exempt from official ID requirements
- The following are official ID:
- USDA ear tag number that are part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code), both the silver "brite" tag and the orange brucellosis tag (e.g. 35ABC1234)
- USDA Animal Identification Number tag with country code (includes the visual number and/or RFID) - 15-digit number starting with 840 for US origin (or 124 for Canadian origin) cattle
- Manufacturer-coded RFID tag - 15-digit number with the first three digits in a 900 series, such as 980, 982 or 985 (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015)
- American ID tag - 8-12-digit number prefaced with "USA" (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015 and if the entire number, including the "USA," is written on the CVI)
- Please note: Wisconsin has no reciprocal agreements with other states regarding the use of tattoos and registration numbers as identification. As a result, breed association tattoos and breed registration numbers are not accepted as official identification. In addition, brands are not accepted as official ID.
- "Pending" official ID or partial ID numbers on paperwork are not acceptable.
- If an animal has more than one form of official identification, all the IDs must be listed on the CVI.
- Currently Influenza testing is not required for beef breed cattle or bison.
- No TB tests required
- No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required
- No import permit required (except for bovines that are part of a rodeo, circus, or menagerie; visit the Circuses, Rodeos, and Menageries page)
- Fairs or exhibitions may have additional requirements; contact the show organizers for more information
Importing Beef Slaughter Cattle or Slaughter Bison
Beef cattle and bison going directly to a slaughter establishment or directly to an approved federal market and then directly to a slaughter establishment are not required to have any testing, official individual ID, or a CVI but must have an owner hauler statement, or other paperwork that contains the required information of an owner hauler statement such as a bill of lading or bill of sale.
Owner Hauler Statement Requirements:
- Location from which the animals originated
- Destination of the animals (not the address of the consignee)
- Total number of animals
- Species of animals
- Name and address of the owner at the time of the movement
- Name and address of the hauler
Animals designated as slaughter animals but not sent directly to a slaughter establishment or directly to an approved federal market and then directly to a slaughter establishment must meet import requirements above.