For More Information on Current Regulations Please Contact:

Dr. Susan J. Keller, State Veterinarian
North Dakota State Board of Animal Health
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
600 E. Boulevard Ave, Dept 602
Bismarck, ND 58505-0020
Office Telephone Number: (701) 328-2655
After hours: (701) 220-5194 or (701) 220-0092
Fax: (701) 328-4567

General Requirements:

1. Importation Permits are required on certain animals entering North Dakota. Permits can be obtained by calling:

   State Board of Animal Health
   Department of Agriculture
   600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 602
   Bismarck, ND 58505-0020
   Phone: 701-328-2655 (8 am - 5 pm CT) during office hours
   Emergencies and After Hours: (701) 220-5194 or (701) 220-0092

2. No animal or poultry that is infected with, or has been recently exposed to, any infectious or transmissible disease shall be imported into this state.
   
   
3. Certificates of veterinary inspection are required on certain animals imported, except livestock consigned directly from producers premises to a licensed auction market or to a state or federally inspected slaughtering establishments. The certificate is to be made on official state or federal forms and contain names and addresses of consignor and consignee, with an accurate description and identification of all animals.
   
   
4. All certificates of veterinary inspection shall be issued and all tests shall be made by an accredited veterinarian whose inspections and tests are endorsed by the state veterinarian in the state where the certificate is issued.

   Vesicular Stomatitis Notice
   August 18, 2006

   
   All imports of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and cervidae from any states which have a confirmed Vesicular Stomatitis positive animal since the beginning of each calendar year, are required to be accompanied by a pre-entry permit number prior to import into North Dakota.  The permit number is to be listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and is given to the veterinarian issuing the CVI.

   A statement shall be written on the CVI by the issuing veterinarian that indicates that the animals on the CVI have not originated from a premise or an area under quarantine for Vesicular Stomatitis or a premises on which Vesicular Stomatitis has been diagnosed in the last 30 days; and the animals in the shipment have no signs of Vesicular Stomatitis."

   'For shipments within a 10 mile radius of an infected area or premises, use the statement above except for the exam must be within a 24 hour time frame as well as the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 24 hours.'

   These requirements shall remain in effect until notice is given by the North Dakota Board of Animal Health.

   Importation Permits are required on certain animals entering North Dakota. Permits can be obtained by calling:

   State Board of Animal Health
   Department of Agriculture
   600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 602
   Bismarck, ND 58505-0020
   Phone: 701-328-2655 (8 am - 5 pm CT) during office hours
   Emergencies and After Hours: (701) 220-5194 or (701) 220-0092

Importation Requirements for Specific Types of Animals

*** CATTLE ***

Board Order No. 2008-4 Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Beef Cattle, Bison, and Goats from New Mexico

Board Order No. 2008-3 Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Beef Cattle, Bison, and Goats from California

Board Order No. 2008-2 Brucellosis Test of Imported Cattle from Montana

Board Order No. 2008-1 Tuberculosis Testing in Imported Cattle, Bison, Goats, Farmed Cervids, and Camelids from Minnesota

• USDA/APHIS Bovine Tuberculosis
• State of Minnesota Bovine TB Response

Board Order No. 2007-3 Trichomonas foetus Testing of Imported Bulls

Board Order No. 2007-01 Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Cattle from Mexico And Rodeo / Timed Event Cattle

Identification Requirements for all Cattle Entering North Dakota

Board Order 2004 - 01 - Tuberculosis Testing in Imported Dairy Cattle

An importation permit is required on female cattle over 12 months of age and all calves under 4 months of age entering the state.

Calves under 4 months of age -Calves less than 4 months of age must be officially individually identified and may be imported only for the buyer's own use and not for resale within 60 days. Statement (NOT FOR RESALE FOR 60 DAYS) must appear on the certificate of veterinary inspection. Purchaser must transport calves into North Dakota. Calves accompanying dams are exempt from this requirement.

Cattle over 12 months of age -

1. Brucellosis

No female cattle over 12 months of age can be imported into North Dakota, unless they have been officially calfhood vaccinated against brucellosis and are properly identified as such by the presence of an official vaccination ear tattoo, or each animal must be accompanied by a copy of the original vaccination certificate, and each animal must be bearing the breed registration tattoo which is recorded on the accompanying vaccination certificate to replace the original vaccination ear tag.

Female cattle originating from other Class Free states which reciprocate (IL, MN, MO, NE, NC, WI, SD), are exempt from the calfhood vaccination requirement.

Official vaccinates and bulls require testing in compliance with UM & R as follows:

1. No test required on cattle from Class Free states which reciprocate or Certified Brucellosis Free herds.
2. Other than Class Free States: negative test within 30 days on vaccinated dairy females 20 months of age and over and beef vaccinated females 24 months of age and over.
3. Bulls over 18 months of age. Negative test within 30 days. Applies to Class A States.
4. Rodeo bulls shall have a negative brucellosis test within the last 12 months.

Tests for brucellosis shall be conducted by a state or federal laboratory, or if conducted by a veterinarian approved by the state veterinarian of the state of origin, the blood samples must be rechecked by the state or federal laboratory. Shipment may be moved on the approved veterinarian's test, but any discrepancies disclosed by the laboratory shall be immediately reported to the State Veterinarian of North Dakota.

All Cattle:

1. Official identification is required on all sexually intact cattle.  Call for exceptions to this rule.

2. Tuberculosis:

A negative tuberculosis test within 30 days of shipment is required on all cattle originating from all states that are not accredited tuberculosis free. Additional testing required for MN & MI - Please call our office 701-328-2655.

In addition to the general board order regarding ID, all cattle from MN, MI NM, and TX must have official ID, including calves accompanying their dams. 

All cattle that originate from TX need to have a negative TB test withing 60 days prior to importation.

All dairy breed cattle sixty days of age or older, other than steers and spayed heifers, must be negative to an official test for tuberculosis within 60 days prior to entering North Dakota.

3. Scabies:

Cattle originating from Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas:

Two dippings for scabies, 10 to 14 days apart, in a dilution approved by Veterinary Services, APHIS, are required on all shipments from the above states within 14 days of shipment. In lieu of dipping, treatment with an approved avermectin injection administered by a licensed accredited veterinarian in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture, guidelines for veterinary services, found in 9 CFR, Part 73 is acceptable. Dairy cattle are exempt from dipping requirements.

4. Other Movements:

Exhibitions, Fairs and Shows - Requirements are the same as outlined above for Brucellosis and Tuberculosis, except nonvaccinated cattle over 12 months of age are eligible for exhibition purposes if originating directly from a Certified Brucellosis Free herd or are negative to a brucellosis test within 30 days of date of exhibition.

Temporary Importations for Grazing or Feeding - Specific health and testing requirements will be furnished by the State Veterinarian's office (701) 328-2655.

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***Canadian Import Requirements for Cattle and Bison***
Effective November 19, 2007

1. Importation permit number obtained from ND State Board of Animal Health, prior to entry into North Dakota.
2. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
3. Individual official identification by a method approved by ND State Veterinarian and listed individually on certificate of veterinary inspection.
4. Hot iron or freeze CΛN brand.  When applied, the mark must not be less than 2 inches or more than 3 inches high and applied high on the right hip.
5. Brucellosis
   • Females over 12 months of age must be officially calfhood vaccinated (bison excluded).
   • Negative test required within 30 days prior to importation on all test eligible cattle and bison (18 months of age and older).
6. Tuberculosis
• Negative test required on all animals 60 days of age and older within  60 days prior to entry (nursing calves accompanying negative tested dam are exempt).
7. Trichomonas foetus testing of imported bulls (Board Order 2007-03)

*** BISON ***

A permit is required on all bison entering the state.

A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all bison entering the state, except those for immediate slaughter.

Individual identification by official USDA metal eartags is required for all bison.

Brucellosis - Negative brucellosis test on all test eligible (>18 months or >24 months if OCV) animals within 30 days prior to entry into North Dakota. Bison originating from brucellosis - free states or areas that do not require ND origin bison to be tested prior to entry are exempt from the brucellosis test requirement

Tuberculosis - Negative tuberculosis test is required on all bison except nursing calves accompanying negative tested dams within 30 days prior to entry into North Dakota. Bison originating from tuberculosis - free states or areas that do not require ND origin bison to be tested prior to entry are exempt from the tuberculosis test requirement.

Scabies - Bison originating from the following states: Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas will require two dippings for scabies, 10 to 14 days apart, in a dilution approved by Veterinary Services, APHIS. In lieu of dipping, treatment with an approved avermectin injection administered by a licensed accredited veterinarian in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture, guidelines for veterinary services, found in 9 CFR, Part 73 is acceptable.

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*** HORSES & OTHER EQUIDAE ***

All horses require a negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) within 12 months prior to date of importation, unless originating from South Dakota (rodeo stock are not exempted).

A certificate of veterinary inspection is not required for horses entering the state for less than 7 days if an official copy of a negative EIA test within the last 12 months accompanies the horse or unless the state veterinarian determines that it is necessary based on disease information for a time period not to exceed the term of the threat. An example would be Vesicular Stomatitis (VS).

Vesicular Stomatitis Notice
August 18, 2006

All imports of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and cervidae from any states which have a confirmed Vesicular Stomatitis positive animal since the beginning of each calendar year, are required to be accompanied by a pre-entry permit number prior to import into North Dakota.  The permit number is to be listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and is given to the veterinarian issuing the CVI.

A statement shall be written on the CVI by the issuing veterinarian that indicates that the animals on the CVI have not originated from a premise or an area under quarantine for Vesicular Stomatitis or a premises on which Vesicular Stomatitis has been diagnosed in the last 30 days; and the animals in the shipment have no signs of Vesicular Stomatitis."

'For shipments within a 10 mile radius of an infected area or premises, use the statement above except for the exam must be within a 24 hour time frame as well as the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 24 hours.'

These requirements shall remain in effect until notice is given by the North Dakota Board of Animal Health.

Importation Permits are required on certain animals entering North Dakota. Permits can be obtained by calling:

State Board of Animal Health
Department of Agriculture
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 602
Bismarck, ND 58505-0020
Phone: 701-328-2655 (8 am - 5 pm CT) during office hours
Emergencies and After Hours: (701) 220-5194 or (701) 220-0092

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*** SWINE ***

A permit is required on all swine entering the state.

A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all swine entering the state, except those for immediate slaughter.

All swine imported into North Dakota for breeding or feeder purposes must be individually identified.

Breeding Swine:

1. Brucellosis - All swine must be negative to a brucellosis test, unless originating from a validated herd or state within 30 days prior to entry.
   
   
2. Pseudorabies - A negative test for pseudorabies conducted at a state or federal laboratory within 30 days unless originating from a Qualified Pseudorabies Negative herd or from a Class IV or Class V state is required, or

   All imported breeding swine, except those from Qualified Pseudorabies Negative herds or Class IV or Class V states, must be negative in 1:4 dilution, and shall be held separate and apart from all other animals until a second negative pseudorabies test is conducted, not less that 30 days, or more than 60 days from the date of importation.

Feeder Swine:

All feeder pigs imported into North Dakota must test negative to pseudorabies within 30 days prior to entry or comply with one of the following:

1. Be from a qualified pseudorabies (PRV) negative herd, or
2. Be from a monitored pseudorabies herd, or
3. Be from a Stage IV state, or a higher designation, as determined by the National Pseudorabies Control Board.

Pseudorabies vaccination is prohibited except with written permission of the state veterinarian.

Exhibition: All swine imported into North Dakota for exhibition purposes must meet the same requirements as for breeding swine.

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*** SHEEP ***

A permit is required on all sheep entering the state.

A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all sheep entering the state, except those for immediate slaughter.

Individual identification by official USDA metal eartags is required for all sheep.

Infectious Foot Rot - a statement that the sheep show no evidence of infectious footrot and that the flock of origin has been inspected and is visibly free of infectious footrot shall be written on the certificate of veterinary inspection.

Brucella Ovis - Rams over six months of age must test negative to Brucella ovis within 30 days of entry, or originate from a Brucella ovis free flock.

Scrapie - Scrapie statement to be included on the certificate of veterinary inspection: "To the best of my knowledge, the sheep listed on this certificate originate from a flock that has not been diagnosed as a scrapie-infected, source, trace, or exposed flock in the past five years." (This statement shall be signed by the owner.)

Identification - Individual identification is required on all sheep entering North Dakota.

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*** GOATS ***

A permit is required on all goats entering the state.

A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all goats entering the state.

Individual identification by official USDA metal eartags is required for all goats.

Brucellosis and Tuberculosis - A negative tuberculosis test and negative brucellosis test within 30 days of importation is required for milking breed goats.

Scrapie - Scrapie statement to be included on certificate: "To the best of my knowledge, the goats listed on this certificate originate from a herd that has not been diagnosed as a scrapie-infected, source, or exposed herd in the past five years. (This statement shall be signed by the owner.)

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*** LLAMAS ***

A permit is required on all llamas entering the state.

A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all llamas entering the state.

Brucellosis and Tuberculosis - A negative tuberculosis test and negative brucellosis test within 30 days of importation is required.

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*** DOGS and CATS***

A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all dogs and cats entering the state for longer than 30 days.

Rabies - Dogs and cats over 3 months of age shall have been vaccinated in accordance with the specifications of the vaccine used. No dogs or cats less than 3 months old accepted from areas quarantined for rabies.

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*** BIRDS ***

Avian Influenza

Due to the concern regarding high path avian influenza (AI) and its potential to move into the United States through movement of migratory birds or domestic birds, the following requirements will be effective immediately for all birds imported into North Dakota.

1. Health Certificate (HC) issued by a veterinarian.
2. Import permit obtained from our office prior to entry.
3. Health statements required previously are still required.

Specific health and testing requirements will be furnished by the State Veterinarian's office (701) 328-2655.

Exception to the above:

*** ELK ***

Specific health and testing requirements will be furnished by the State Veterinarian's office (701) 328-2655.

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*** ZOO, FUR-BEARING, NONTRADITIONAL LIVESTOCK, & OTHER WILD ANIMALS ***

Board Order on Monkeypox for Prairie Dogs Importation

Specific health and testing requirements will be furnished by the State Veterinarian's office (701) 328-2655.

The importation of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and skunks (genus Mephitis) into the state of North Dakota is prohibited, except for exhibition.

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*** SEMEN & FROZEN EMBRYOS ***

NDAC 48-02-01-01....'In addition to the disease testing, treatment, vaccination, or identification requirements of this chapter, the state veterinarian may require additional disease testing, treatment, vaccination, or identification if the state veterinarian has reason to believe that other health risks are present.'

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