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Emphasis on disease control
State veterinarian warns livestock shippers to carry proper papers

OLYMPIA – The misguided actions of a few livestock shippers are putting the state’s $1.7 billion livestock and poultry industry at risk of serious disease outbreaks, State Veterinarian Dr. Leonard Eldridge warned today. State officials are stepping up efforts to monitor livestock coming into Washington, as well as animal sales within the state, to ensure shippers have proper ownership and health certificates.

“We are increasing our surveillance efforts to ensure livestock entering or moving within Washington meet our state’s animal health and ownership requirements,” Eldridge said. “Some shippers have become careless and aren’t carrying paperwork that documents the tests and vaccinations required to meet Washington’s health regulations for livestock movements. This lax attitude is unacceptable. They are putting the livestock industry at risk of an unnecessary outbreak of disease that could affect commerce.”

Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) officials will be checking livestock shippers to verify that they are carrying required permits, health papers, and proof of livestock ownership when traveling through weigh stations, state entry points, sales yards, and rodeos and shows.

Before an animal enters Washington, a licensed veterinarian must issue a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), which lists an entry permit number and documents a livestock animal’s vaccination and health history. Along with proof of ownership, these documents reduce livestock theft and the risk of introducing a disease that could cause economic hardship to industry and disrupt livestock movements.

“The best way to control the spread of disease is to ensure only livestock certified as clinically healthy enter the state,” Eldridge said. “An inspection by an accredited veterinarian documented on a CVI plays a large role in minimizing the threat of diseases.”

To maintain healthy livestock herds and flocks within Washington, WSDA carries out programs for animal health, livestock identification to prevent theft, and identification of animal premises. Purchase of livestock with intent for resale requires a dealer’s license through WSDA’s Commission Merchants Program.

“There are a lot of issues we deal with in the livestock industry, but preventing the introduction of a serious disease and minimizing the threat of theft rank at the top,” said Jack Field, executive vice president of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association. “Increasing the oversight of livestock movements by enforcing existing regulations is certainly a policy we support.”

For information on livestock import permits or interstate test requirements, call the WSDA in Olympia at (360) 902-1878. For information on brand inspections, call (360) 902-1855. For information via the Internet, go to www.agr.wa.gov and review the information under “Food and Animals.”

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