USDA finalized a rule on animal disease traceability last April and resulting changes go into effect next month.
Certain livestock will be required to have an EID (electronic identification) tag, also known as an 840 tag when being transported from the farm.
“We’ve had animal disease traceability rules in place for a long time in our industry,” Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters told the RFD Radio Network. “This is a revision that modernizes it by bringing in this electronic ID tag.”
Beginning Nov. 5, the following classes of livestock will need to have an 840 tag, readable both visually and electronically:
• all sexually intact cattle and bison over 18 months of age traveling across state lines, with the exception of animals going directly to slaughter
• all dairy cattle of any age traveling across state lines
• any cattle used for rodeo, recreation or exhibition both in Illinois and out-of-state
Animals tagged prior to the effective date do not need to be re-tagged, except for exhibition livestock.
While the federal rule only applies to interstate movement, the Illinois Department of Agriculture is also requiring exhibition animals within the state have an 840 tag.
“This will impact all exhibitors at county and state fairs in 2025, including 4-H and youth shows,” Illinois Farm Bureau’s Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting told FarmWeek. “So, it’s important to plan accordingly and prepare to have show animals tagged correctly.”
The 840 tags are linked to a premise identification number (PIN) for fast action regarding animal health emergencies in case of an outbreak. Currently, premise identification is voluntary and cost-free for producers. If producers choose not to receive a PIN for their operation, 840 tags need to be acquired through a licensed veterinarian who will use their PIN number.
“Illinois Farm Bureau policy supports an animal disease traceability program that is uniform between states, can quickly and accurately trace an animal, meets customer expectations (both domestic and international) and is not burdensome to livestock producers,” Bunting said, noting that confidentiality in this system is very important.
“Information is protected and is exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.”
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is offering free electronic 840 tags to cattle and bison producers and veterinarians to implement this change.For questions about the implementation of 840 tags, IFB members can email tbunting@ilfb.org