Animal Movement Within Michigan (intrastate)

Key Definitions

Several terms are defined in the Animal Industry Act to help explain the new regulations. The following terms are key to understanding the responsibilities in regards to the new intrastate movement requirements.

High-risk area - An area where bovine TB has been diagnosed in livestock. A high-risk area is designated by the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), based on scientific epidemiology.

Potential high-risk area - An area where bovine TB has been diagnosed in wildlife only. A potential high-risk area is designated by the Director of MDA, based on scientific epidemiology.

Whole herd - Any isolated group of cattle, bison or goats 12 months of age or older, maintained in the same space, or two or more groups of livestock under common ownership, geographically separated but with movement or commingling of groups.

Intrastate - Movement from one location within Michigan to another location within Michigan, including movement to fairs and exhibitions.

Official intrastate health certificate - A form completed by a veterinarian documenting an animal's point of origin, point of destination, official identification and any required test results. (Intrastate health certificates may be required for intrastate movement if and when the state is divided into zones. For example, if whole herd testing is completed for the Upper Peninsula, and no bovine TB is detected, the UP could be declared a disease free zone by USDA, and an intrastate health certificate may be required to move cattle into and out of the UP from other parts of Michigan.)

Movement Requirements

(Effective March 10, 2002)

Infected Zone - includes Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties.

Movement Testing Requirements:

The herd must have met the annual testing requirement for surveillance testing.

An individual animal test with negative results is required within 60 days prior to movement for breeding livestock and sexually-intact feeders, if movement occurs after 6 months from the date of the annual whole herd test.

No additional testing is required of individual animals moved directly to slaughter, to a terminal operation, or if originating from an accredited herd.

Movement Permit Requirements

A movement permit is required to move livestock from any premises within the Infected Zone, unless moving directly to slaughter.

Official identification is required on all domestic livestock that move from any premises. Surveillance Herd Testing Requirements:

Annual whole herd testing is required of all herds for surveillance, except that surveillance testing is not required for terminal operations.

Surveillance Zone - includes Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Otsego counties.

Movement Testing Requirements:

The herd must have met the biennial testing requirement for surveillance testing.

An individual animal test with negative results is required within 60 days prior to movement for breeding livestock and sexually-intact feeders, if movement occurs after 6 months from the date of the biennial whole herd test.

No additional testing is required of individual animals moved directly to slaughter, to a terminal operation, or if originating from an accredited herd.

Movement Permit Requirements:

A movement permit is required to move livestock from any premises within the Surveillance Zone, unless moving directly to slaughter.

Disease Free Zone - includes all counties outside the Infected and Surveillance Zones.

Movement permits:

Cattle and goat premises in the Disease Free Zone must have one whole herd test in order to move livestock.

Animal Identification:

Official identification is required on any domestic livestock that move from any premises