After much discussion among cattle producers and industry groups, APHIS has issued its final rule on traceability and will now require electronic ID tags.
The rule applies to all sexually-intact cattle 18 months or older, dairy cattle, and any cattle used in shows or exhibitions. APHIS says the new requirements will better help them respond to foreign animal diseases, but some cattle groups are still pushing back.
R-CALF says requiring electronic ear tags will hurt producers and consumers and will only help large packers and ear tag manufacturers. CEO Bill Bullard calls the rule “government overreach at its worst.”
