Virginia Law

A. Within the 30 days prior to its date of entry into Virginia, cattle must be deemed healthy and free of infectious diseases after examination by an accredited veterinarian and all required tests must be completed. Proof of examination, test results, and official identification must be submitted with the permit request and on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection in a format approved by the State Veterinarian. All cattle shall be accompanied by an electronic or written Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or alternative movement document approved by the State Veterinarian, which shall be in the possession of the person in charge of such cattle.

B. All cattle entering Virginia must bear individual official identification, and the official identification number must be noted on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or alternative movement document if approved by the State Veterinarian. This requirement shall not apply to cattle 18 months of age or younger provided such cattle are not of a dairy type and are imported into Virginia for feeding purposes only.

C. Official identification for cattle shall be:

1. An ear tag or other permanently affixed device bearing a unique identification number issued by an official state or federal program;

2. A USDA back tag if the animal is consigned directly to a slaughter establishment; or

3. Another form of identification approved by the State Veterinarian.

D. All cattle that originated in or have transited through a foreign country, or are intended to be used for rodeo or other entertainment purposes, require a negative caudal fold or comparative cervical tuberculin test within 60 days prior to entry into Virginia. This requirement shall not apply to cattle consigned directly from a USDA accredited tuberculosis-free herd provided the accreditation number and date of the last herd test are listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Entertainment purposes shall not include the display of cattle at a scheduled agricultural fair, show, or sale.

E. All cattle originating from a region not considered free of tuberculosis for cattle by the USDA require a permit and a negative caudal fold or comparative cervical tuberculin test within 60 days prior to entry into Virginia. This requirement shall not apply to:

1. Cattle consigned directly from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd provided the accreditation number and date of the last herd test are listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

2. Cattle consigned directly to a slaughter establishment.

F. All sexually intact cattle originating from a region not considered free of brucellosis by the USDA require a permit and an individual brucellosis test within 30 days prior to entry into Virginia. An animal allowed entry under a permit will be quarantined on the premises of the consignee until the animal is retested at the consignee's expense and found negative for brucellosis no fewer than 45 days and no more than 120 days after entry as indicated by the permit. This requirement shall not apply to:

1. Cattle consigned directly from a certified brucellosis-free herd provided the certification number and date of the last herd test are listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

2. Cattle consigned directly to a slaughter establishment.

G. All bulls 18 months of age and older and all nonvirgin bulls younger than 18 months of age require a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for bovine trichomoniasis within 30 days prior to entry into Virginia unless consigned directly to a slaughter establishment.

H. Cattle may be imported for immediate slaughter into Virginia without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection provided they are consigned directly to a slaughter establishment. Official identification for all cattle under this subsection must be listed on the waybill.

I. Cattle from a region considered free of tuberculosis and brucellosis for cattle by the USDA may enter Virginia for the purpose of sale at a marketing facility without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection if otherwise required provided:

1. All cattle offered for sale at the marketing facility excepting cattle 18 months of age or younger not of a dairy type and intended for feeding purposes bear official identification upon entry to the marketing facility or have such applied at the marketing facility; and

2. The marketing facility maintains for at least five years and makes available to the State Veterinarian a record of the consignor of the cattle, the identification numbers as required of the cattle he consigns, and the buyer of the cattle.

J. This section shall not be construed to (i) permit the entry into Virginia of any species of animal otherwise prohibited or restricted by any state or federal law, regulation, or directive or (ii) contravene additional entry requirements imposed by any state or federal law, regulation, or directive.

K. All testing required by this section shall be considered official if (i) conducted by a state, federal, tribal, or accredited veterinarian or (ii) collected by a state, federal, tribal, or accredited veterinarian and conducted by an official animal health laboratory approved by a state or federal animal health agency as dictated by testing protocol.