Animal Bytes
September 7, 2012
Free Ear Tags Available
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) metal ear tags are now available, free of charge, to Minnesota accredited veterinarians. The tags are for use in Minnesota livestock (except sheep and goats).
Silver tags and orange Brucellosis vaccination tags will be distributed upon request. Accredited veterinarians requesting tags agree to either use the tags themselves or share with another accredited veterinarian within the same clinic. Veterinarians receiving USDA metal tags must also keep a current inventory of all tags received and a record of where the tags are applied, including name and address of the property or animal owner. In the event of a disease investigation, these records must be made available to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health upon request. Order tag online or call the Board's mainline telephone at 651-296-2942.
Requirements for Horses Exported to Canada
Submitted by USDA Veterinary Services
As we enter the busy export season for horses to Canada, please replace any previous versions of your Additional Statement page with the statement page. Insert your clinic letterhead at the top of the page. Please do not make any other changes or deletions. Do not delete or remove the signature blocks below the statements, and do not delete the USDA address and page numbering at the bottom of the page.
- Copy/insert onto clinic letterhead
- It is to be used with the VS Form 17-145 ONLY
- It is ONLY to be used for horses who have NOT been in the states of Texas or New Mexico within the previous 21 days
- It must be signed on the same date the certificate is signed (the date the horse was inspected)
Certificates may be endorsed by making an appointment with our office and presenting the certificate, statement page and original coggins for review and endorsement. The Fiscal Year 2012 fee (until October 1, 2012) is $59.00 per horse/certificate (VS Form 17-145 ONLY). For detailed information on export requirements for horses going to Canada can be obtain at the USDA web site, or contact the Veterinary Services office at 651-290-3691.
Cattle Import Permits
The Board of Animal Health is working on improving its ability to trace livestock more quickly during disease investigations. As part of that effort, the Board began requiring import permits for breeding cattle entering the state on August 1, 2011. In this first year, (August 1,2011 - July 31, 2012) 2,262 import permits were issued for cattle.
During the 2012 calendar year, 793 certificates of veterinary inspection have been received for breeding cattle that were imported without a required import permit. Please continue to help us inform veterinarians and producers in other states that an import permit is needed for breeding cattle prior to entry into Minnesota.