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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Animal Identification: Benefits of RFID

Animal identification requires the basics of a visual ID tag and animal management software. Going beyond the basics of visual ID tags, shows management benefits which prove overall cost reduction of animal management.

Using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for animal identification, provides more in depth knowledge, easier traceability and reliable information overall.

The following video, is one of a series of videos, dedicated to animal identification. The videos demonstrate firsthand, in the field the benefits of using RFID tags, RFID readers, and animal management software.

 

Benefits of RFID Tagging.

By Livestock-ID, Copyright 2013

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Allflex A-Tag: One Piece Cattle Tag

The new Allflex A-Tag provides a cost effective short term identification solution, which is also designed to be high quality visual tag. The A-TAG is designed to be a one piece ear tag, with a self-piercing design.

Allflex is known worldwide as an innovative manufacturer of high quality animal identification products. As an innovative supplier, Allflex is constantly designing and increasing their animal id products. 

With increasing demand from end users for a complete and easy one-piece ear tag, Allflex has created the new A-Tag. Designed and manufactured with high quality plastic, the Allflex A-Tag provides cattlemen with a fast effective high quality identification product. 

The A-Tag is similar in design and easy of application like the popular Z Tag one piece visual tag. 

The new A-Tag is available in three sizes for Feedlot, cow, and calf. Like the traditional Allfex visual tags, the A-Tag is available as a blank tag or with custom printing. 

The main advantage of the Allflex A-Tag is its unique one piece design, also with its self-piercing tip and fast application, the A-Tag causes less stress on the animal and faster healing.   

You can access the Allflex A-Tag datasheet here. 

The new cattle tag is part of the complete portfolio of Allflex animal identification products, that is back by industry knowledge and customer support. 

Copyright (C) 2012 Livestock-ID

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