USDA Tunes Up Livestock Tracking Forms for Better Disease Dodging
Published Date: 1/7/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to update and keep collecting info to track animal diseases better. This affects farmers, ranchers, and anyone moving livestock, helping stop disease spread while keeping paperwork clear. They’re asking for comments by March 9, 2026, and there’s no new cost, just smarter tracking to keep animals safe.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Three-Year Renewal of Traceability Paperwork
APHIS is asking OMB to renew the Animal Disease Traceability information collection for an additional 3 years (OMB Control Number 0579-0327). The notice reports an average public reporting burden of 0.566 hours per response, an estimated 80,302 annual respondents, 947,082 annual responses, and 536,091 total annual burden hours; comments are due March 9, 2026.
Interstate Livestock ID and Paperwork Rule
Under 9 CFR part 86, livestock moved interstate must, unless specifically exempted, be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation agreed to by animal health officials. This requirement applies to producers, market operators, accredited veterinarians, and others moving livestock across State or Tribal lines.
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