Removal of individual cattle ID requirement proposed

Individual animal identification would not be required for cattle imported into Nebraska under a bill heard by the Agriculture Committee Feb. 19.

Under LB647, introduced by Hyannis Sen. Al Davis, imported cattle would not be required to have individual identification if they are:
• identified by a registered brand;
• accompanied by an official brand inspection certificate issued by the recognized brand inspection authority of the state of origin; and
• imported directly from a mandatory brand inspection area of any state.

Davis said current regulations place undue burdens on livestock owners, sale barns and veterinarians.

“This bill would put in place practices that are already used while still protecting the health and safety of Nebraska’s cattle herds,” he said.

The state Department of Agriculture could require imported cattle to have individual identification under LB647 if the director determined that:
• the state of origin recognized brand registration or brand inspection procedures and documentation are insufficient to trace an individual animal to its herd of origin;
• identification by brand alone is in conflict with a standard of federal law or regulation regarding identification of cattle moved into Nebraska; or
• the cattle originates from a location that is not an accredited tuberculous-free state or zone or is not designated a brucellosis-free state or zone.

The bill would continue to allow the state veterinarian to issue import orders imposing additional requirements for animals imported into Nebraska from any state, country, zone or other area, including identification requirements.

Former Sen. LeRoy Louden, a rancher from Ellsworth, testified in support of LB647. He said the bill was necessary to encourage interstate commerce.

“Nebraska is one of the leading cattle feeding states in the nation for people moving herds,” Louden said. “We must have simplified rules to accommodate this industry.”

The committee also heard testimony on LB435, introduced by North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen, which would authorize out-of-state brand permits allowing a one-time use of a brand registered with a state other than Nebraska to brand cattle to be immediately exported out of state.

Hansen said the permits would benefit both Nebraska and out-of-state buyers.

“This is an attempt to address a need for all buyers to make interstate transactions run more smoothly,” he said.

The bill would authorize an owner to brand cattle with an out-of-state brand if:
• the cattle are purchased at a livestock auction market licensed under the Livestock Auction Market Act or another location approved by the Nebraska Brand Committee;
• the cattle would immediately be exported from Nebraska;
• the cattle are branded at the livestock auction market or other approved location; and
• an out-of-state brand permit has been obtained prior to branding the cattle.

Owners could obtain an out-of-state brand permit by submitting an application and corresponding fee to a brand inspector.

No one testified in opposition to either bill and the committee took no immediate action on them.