USDA APHIS Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES)

Investigative and Enforcement Services’ (IES) staff of roughly 140 employees throughout the country provides investigative, enforcement, and regulatory support services to four APHIS programs—Animal Care (AC), Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), and Veterinary Services (VS).   IES also provides these services for agricultural quarantine inspection (AQI) activities carried out by the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP).  The Agency enforces the following laws, each of which outlines requirements for compliance and general penalty provisions:

• Plant Protection Act (administered by PPQ, BRS; port-related AQI-related activities carried out by CBP)
• Animal Health Protection Act (administered by VS; AQI-related activities carried out by CBP)
• Virus Serum Toxin Act (administered by VS)
• Commercial Transportation of Equines to Slaughter Act (administered by VS)
• Animal Welfare Act (administered by AC)
• Horse Protection Act (administered by AC)
• Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act (administered by VS) 
• Honey Bee Act(administered by PPQ and VS)
• Federal Seed Act  (administered by PPQ and VS)
• Lacey Act

IES’ work is divided between two groups.  Field investigators conduct investigations and produce reports of investigation (ROIs), and headquarters enforcement staff members review completed ROIs for evidentiary sufficiency.  When the information and evidence gathered during an investigation supports a finding of a violation, APHIS may pursue enforcement action against that person or entity.

• Investigative Process
• Enforcement Process

Enforcement Summaries:

• APHIS Overall
• Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI)
• Animal Care (AWA and HPA)
  • USDA HPA Federal Disqualification and Civil Penalty List
  • View AWA and HPA Enforcement Actions
• Biotechnology Regulatory Services
• Plant Protection and Quarantine
• Veterinary Services

 Source APHIS

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A Dog Has it's Day Video

With springtime upon us, and the warmer weather finally coming through, we able to actually enjoy going outdoors. It's always nice to go shopping without putting on a pair of ice skates.

Companion Animals are an important part of all our lives, for both young and old. Dogs and cats become a part of the family as we adopt or get a new animal. It is important to remind everyone, that companion animals need to be cared for and loved.

As the old saying goes, but also a known fact. Dog is the only creature on earth, that will love you more than it love's itself.

This video A Dog's Revenge is meant to be humor. The important message though, is that we must remember to be good to our dogs. Don't leave them locked up in a car on a hot day, while you're shopping. The best place for a dog is at home.

Although this video the dog is in an RV (Recreational Vehicle) and the windows are open, so this is not really a case of animal abuse, but a simple reminder for us all. Besides the owner will have a pleasant surprise when they come back. Might be a trip back to Walmart for some cleaning supplies and air fresheners.

Enjoy the video and share it with friends.

Copyright 2015 Livestock-ID

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New USDA Animal Identification 840 Tags in Effect

As of March 2015 the new Animal Identification system went into effect with the official approved 840 tags, which helps in the Animal Disease Traceability System.

The Animal Disease Tractability Program went into effect on March 2013 with a grace period of 2 years. The APHIS had allowed for the 2 year period so cattle producers could use their old 900 ID tags, and make the transition to the new 840 ID tags.

As of March 2015 all producers should be tagging cattle with the new 840 tags, for traceability within the new Animal Disease Traceability Program (ADT), which is administered by the USDA APHIS.

Under the new rule from the USDA, the new tagging system must comply with the official approved 840 tags only; the 900 tags are no longer accepted and or approved for ADT.

The new rule is in effect for cattle crossing state lines at the moment. The USDA has yet to provide a complete ruling and official regulation for complete 840 tagging traceability.

The Animal Disease Traceability is still a gray area.

ADT 840 Tag Compliance: Official (AIN) Animal Identification Number tags should begin with the 840 prefix with the U.S. shield on the tag. Tags could be visual or RFID tags.

At the moment the APHIS is currently educating producers on the new 840 tagging compliance, rather than enforcing the law.

Animal Identification Resources:

Approved USDA Cattle Ear Tags: 840 Tags

Methods of Marking Visual ID Ear Tags

Animal Identification: Benefits of RFID

Branding Livestock for Animal Disease Traceability

Livestock Insurance: How to get the Best Plan

Animal Identification: Benefits of RFID

By Livestock-ID, Copyright 2015

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