November 20, 2005 Premises Registration It's time for that final push to get livestock premises registered in Wisconsin. We're the first state to require producers and others who handle livestock -- including hobby farms and backyard poultry flocks -- to register the places where they keep animals. Contrary to what you may have heard recently, the first deadline for registering is Jan. 1, 2006. That's for businesses that don't already need a license from us, such as pork or beef producers, or for businesses that have a license that comes due on Jan. 1. If you own a business with a license that expires during the year, you'll need to register when you renew your license in 2006. It's all about controlling animal disease outbreaks. Farming & Agriculture > Livestock Premises Registration Livestock premises registration means that any location where livestock congregate - family farm, hobby farm, backyard poultry flocks, veterinary clinics, markets, livestock dealers and haulers - provides to a central database an address, contact person and list of species. The location gets a unique number. This is the first step in developing a nationwide system to trace livestock movements within 48 hours in case of an animal disease outbreak, so we can find where an infection originated and what animals have been exposed. Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to mandate livestock premises registration. We already had a public-private partnership, the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, that had developed the necessary computer software over about five years. WLIC was already registering premises voluntarily when a BSE- infected Washington State dairy cow was discovered in December 2003, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to put premises and livestock identification on a fast track. In early 2004, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a law mandating premises legislation effective November 1, 2005. The USDA has since made our system a model for the nation. What is premises registration? Premises registration is a way to locate where livestock or dead animals are kept or congregated. Premises are listed in a computerized database with information about what species of animals are kept at any location. Each premises is assigned a number that remains with the location. Premises registration allows for much faster traces when there is an outbreak of an animal disease or an animal-borne human disease. If we know where susceptible animals are located, we can control the disease more quickly. Premises registration is not individual animal identification. However, premises registration is a necessary first step toward identifying animals individually. Voluntary vs. mandatory The USDA is now promoting voluntary premises registration, using WLIC’s system. WLIC is currently promoting registration and registering livestock premises in Wisconsin and other states on a voluntary basis, at no cost. DATCP supports these voluntary efforts. Premises registration becomes mandatory beginning on Jan. 1, 2006 (see "When to register" below). Wisconsin will require premises identification, regardless of whether the USDA or any other state requires it. WLIC is expected to continue registering premises when it becomes mandatory, acting as an agent for the state. What must be registered Any location in Wisconsin where livestock are kept or congregated must be registered. “Livestock” includes cattle and other bovine animals, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, horses and other equine animals, farm-raised deer and other cervids, bison, llamas and other camelids, ratites such as emus and ostriches, and fish. “Premises” includes farms and hobby farms; veterinary clinics with large animal hospital facilities; stables; animal markets; animal trucker and dealer premises where animals are kept; slaughter, rendering and dead animal plants; livestock exhibitions; and any other location where livestock is kept or congregated. The premises registration number stays with the location; that is, a change in property ownership usually will not change the premises identification number. Who must register Current DATCP licensees must register their licensed livestock premises (dairy, deer and fish farms; animal markets, dealers and truckers; slaughter and rendering plants; and equine quarantine facilities). The property owner, livestock owner, livestock caretaker, or other person involved in the livestock operation must register facilities not licensed by DATCP. If two or more people keep livestock on the same premises, one registration covers all. When to register By January 1, 2006, for facilities not licensed by DATCP. By the license renewal dates in 2006 for livestock and related facilities licensed by DATCP. Registration must be renewed annually. How to register Register online or using paper forms available from DATCP or WLIC DATCP will send annual renewals. Information required: Legal name, trade name, mailing address, phone. Primary premises and up to three secondary locations. Name and phone for contact person who has knowledge of livestock movements to and from premises. Type of operation. Type of livestock. DATCP will issue a unique premises registration number. Confidentiality Information provided by the registrant is confidential unless other laws require it to be open. The premises registration number by itself is not confidential. DATCP may disclose confidential information if necessary to prevent or control disease or protect public health. Fees There is no fee for registering premises. Premises registration and current licensees Premises registration will be required for any location where livestock are kept or congregated. It will not replace licenses currently required for dairy, deer, and fish farms; animal markets, dealers and truckers; slaughter and rendering plants; and equine quarantine facilities. It will be in addition to the current license. There will be no charge for premises registration. To register now Call the Animal Health Division of DATCP at 608-224-4872 or Click here for their website: Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection website: www.datcp. state.wi.us To find out what's happening on a national level, visit the USDA's National Animal Identification System. Click for their website: usda.gov |
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