CDFA’s New Equine Interstate Movement Regulations – Q and A

A valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days before movement evidence of a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test, performed at a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved laboratory within twelve months before the date of movement are required for the interstate movement of horses and other equine species in California

The equine interstate movement requirements apply to all equids (horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, burros, and zebras).

The federal Animal Disease Traceability Rule was published in the Code of Federal Regulations on January 9, 2013, and became effective on March 11, 2013.

The federal Animal Disease Traceability Rule exempts the CVI requirement for the following equine movements:

• Horses used as a mode of transportation for travel to another location then back to the original location (e.g. horse and buggy and trail rides),

• Horse movement for veterinary examination or treatment and returned to the same location without change of ownership,

• Horse movement directly from a location in one state through another state to a second location in the origin state (e.g. a horse that originates in California, trailers through Nevada and is offloaded at a different destination location in California), and

• Horse movement with a document other than a CVI, as approved between shipping and receiving state animal health authorities (e.g. valid equine interstate passport or a California Working Horse Permit. At this time, no other documents are approved for use by animal health authorities in states bordering California).

California accepts valid approved equine passports issued by an animal health authority.

At this time, California does not issue equine passports. However, based on industry feedback, California may consider issuing equine passports in the future.

A California Working Horse Permit is a permit authorizing the movement of working horses across state borders from one business location to another location of the same business for use in the business operation. Horse owners, who operate a business in California and in another state in which horses are used in the operation of the business, are eligible to apply for an annual California Working Horse Permit. Approval and signature of animal health official in both states is necessary for issue of a California Working Horse Permit.

California CVI’s are valid for 30 days from the date of inspection.

No. If all destination locations are in the same state and the movements are to occur within 30 day timeline of the valid CVI, only one California CVI is necessary, provided that a list of each destination location and anticipated travel dates are documented on the CVI at the time of issue.

No. The federal Animal Disease Traceability Rule does not allow an exemption for California horses returning to California within 14 days of departure. All interstate horse movements into California require a valid CVI or valid equine passport and evidence of a negative EIA test within 12 months of entry.

Enforcement of these entry requirements for California horses that have been moved from the state and are returning to California will begin on January 1, 2014. All interstate horse movements into California require a valid CVI or valid equine passport and evidence of a negative EIA test within 12 months of entry.

No. If the movements are to occur within the 30 day timelines of the valid CVI, only one California CVI is necessary provided that a list of each destination location in each state and anticipated travel dates are documented on the CVI at the time of issue.

All interstate horse movements into California require a valid CVI, or valid equine passport, and evidence of a negative EIA test within 12 months of entry.

For California, border station personnel and animal health officials may request interstate movement documentation.

Failure to comply with California entry requirements is a violation of both California and Federal laws, which, may result in an issue of a Notice of Violation and assessment of fines up to $25,000 per violation.