Section 70. Cattle entry requirements

A. All cattle entering Virginia must bear official identification, and the official identification number must be noted on the certificate of veterinary inspection or other movement document if approved by the State Veterinarian. If multiple cattle of similar breed, age, and sex are listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection, sequential identification numbers may be summarized. This requirement shall not apply to cattle 18 months of age or younger provided such cattle are not of a dairy type and are imported into Virginia for feeding purposes only.

B. All cattle that originated in or have transited through a foreign country, or are intended to be used for rodeo or other entertainment purposes, require a negative caudal fold or comparative cervical tuberculin test within 60 days prior to entry into Virginia. This requirement shall not apply to cattle consigned directly from a USDA accredited tuberculosis-free herd provided the accreditation number and date of the last herd test are listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection. Entertainment purposes shall not include the display of cattle at a scheduled agricultural fair, show, or sale.

C. All cattle originating from a region not considered free of tuberculosis for cattle by the USDA require a permit and a negative caudal or comparative cervical tuberculin test within 60 days prior to entry into Virginia. This requirement shall not apply to:

1. Cattle consigned directly from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd provided the accreditation number and date of the last herd test are listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection; and

2. Cattle consigned directly to a slaughter establishment.

D. All sexually intact cattle originating from a region not considered free of brucellosis by the USDA require a permit and an individual brucellosis test within 30 days prior to entry into Virginia. Animals allowed entry under a permit will be quarantined on the premises of the consignee until retested at the consignee's expense and found negative to brucellosis no less than 45 days and no more than 120 days after entry as indicated by the permit. This requirement shall not apply to:

1. Cattle consigned directly from a certified brucellosis-free herd provided the certification number and date of the last herd test are listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection; and

2. Cattle consigned directly to a slaughter establishment.

E. Cattle may be imported for immediate slaughter into Virginia without a certificate of veterinary inspection provided they are consigned directly to a slaughter establishment. Official identification for all cattle under this subsection must be listed on the waybill.

F. Cattle from a region considered free of tuberculosis and brucellosis for cattle by the USDA may enter Virginia for the purpose of sale at a livestock marketing facility without a certificate of veterinary inspection if otherwise required provided:

1. All cattle offered for sale at the livestock marketing facility excepting cattle 18 months of age or younger not of a dairy type and intended for feeding purposes bear official identification upon entry to the livestock marketing facility or have such applied at the livestock marketing facility; and

2. The livestock marketing facility maintains for at least five years and makes available to the State Veterinarian a record of the consignor of the cattle, the identification numbers as required of the cattle he consigns, and the buyer of the cattle.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 28, Issue 08, eff. January 18, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 03, eff. November 19, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§§ 3.2-5902 and 3.2-6002 of the Code of Virginia.