Updated August 8, 2005

Animal Movement

Rule Change Division of Animal Industry

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services December 12, 2004

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry, has this date issued a revision of 5C-3, Importation of Animals. This revised Rule is contained on this web site under the section entitled " Rules ".

Rule 5C-3 contains importation requirements by species for animals and certain animal products to be imported into Florida from other states. These requirements have been clarified and modified to coincide with disease and program status of Florida and other states. Most of the changes were made to clarify existing requirements. Two changes added sections to the Rule to include additional requirements for movement of susceptible animals from states or areas affected with Vesticular Stomatitis, Exotic Newcastle Disease, or Avian Influenza (H5 or H7 types). In recent years, emergency rules had to be implemented because of outbreaks of these diseases in other states in order to protect Florida livestock and poultry. In order to more rapidly implement these needed protections, this Rule is being amended. This will allow immediate implementation of protective measures in the event of such a disease outbreak in another state without the necessity of enacting an Emergency Rule.

5C-3 also includes a requirement for current rabies vaccination for cats and dogs entering the state. This requirement has been in place for movement within Florida and this rule change makes this a condition for movement into the state as well. 5C-3 also is changed to national industry standards with respect to swine health status. New definitions for commercial production swine, those swine free of pseudorabies and not exposed to feral swine, and for transitional swine, those with potential exposure to feral swine, are included in this rule. Individual identification requirements for sheep and goats have been included to conform to national standards and USDA regulations.

Rule 5C-3 also includes recognition of the use of an Equine Event Extension or Equine Interstate Passport Card that may be used in lieu of the Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection showing negative EIA test results within the past 12 months and health certification up to 6 months for temporary movements of horses between Florida and other states that have mutually agreed to recognize such extensions. These extension permits or cards have been in use in a successful pilot program and will be an option for meeting moving requirements for intra and interstate test and health certificates in the future. Implementation of these extensions and passport cards will be made through interested veterinarians and horse owners in the coming year.

Protective measures have been maintained to protect the State of Florida from the introduction of disease, while strengthening requirements from states affected with diseases such as Vesticular Stomatitis, Exotic Newcastle, and Avian Influenza. These rule changes are not expected to have a significant impact on animal movements into or within the State of Florida. Changes will provide increased protection from areas and animals of greater animal disease risk.

Attention Veterinarians using On-Line Health Certificates and e-Coggins

Georgia and Alabama now require digital images for electronic Coggins tests certificates (Equine Infectious Anemia Laboratory Test) created on GlobalVetLink by Florida veterinarians- For link to letter from the State Veterinarian, click here . [pdf]

Currently the e-Coggins available to veterinarians using GlobalVetLink allows optional attachment of a digital image of equines that replaces the USDA drawing of distinguishing markings on the paper version of the form (APHIS Form VS 10-11). The use of digital images on the e-Coggins will become required beginning 2005. Until this requirement for the use of digital images becomes mandatory on January 1, 2005, it is recommended that veterinarians that cannot attach a digital image use the paper form for horses requiring official Coggins tests for events outside of Florida (such as sales, exhibitions or competitions).

For assistance with adding the use of digital images to certificates on GlobalVetLink, practitioners can refer to the Help features after logging in or contact the GlobalVetLink Technical Support line.

Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (e-Health Certificates) and Certificates of Equine Infectious Anemia Laboratory Test (e-Coggins) require ink signature by Accredited Veterinarians

Original copies of Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that accompany animals moving interstate, are required by Code of Federal Regulations (9CFR Parts 160 and 161) to be personally signed by the Accredited Veterinarian performing the examination. Any official document (health certificate or Coggins) generated on-line and printed for use by the owner/shipper must bear an original ink signature by the accredited veterinarian performing the examination and issuing the certificate. On-line copies with electronically printed signatures are not considered official documents, and should only be used by state officials in verification/compliance monitoring and by the veterinarian for records retention purposes.