Producers bringing cattle into British Columbia from Washington State must now report those movements to the province’s Chief Veterinarian under a general order that took effect October 27, 2026, ABP Daily reported. The mandate applies to cattle of any age imported from Washington State after September 23, 2026.
Reporting Washington State Cattle Movements
Anyone responsible for cattle moved onto a British Columbia premises from Washington State must submit movement details to the Chief Veterinarian. According to www2.gov.bc.ca, eligible locations include commercial farms, feedlots, heifer rearing facilities, assembly yards, show grounds, and other temporary holding sites. The reporting obligation applies even if animals only stopped temporarily during transportation, and livestock dealers or brokers managing those premises must also comply.
Submit Movement Data Through Specific Channels Within Three Days
Producers can complete filings through DairyTrace, the Canadian Livestock Tracking System, or by emailing [email protected]. Submissions must include the Premises ID Number for the farm or facility, the exact dates of movement, and individual animal identification numbers. For cattle entering the province between September 23 and October 27, 2026, producers had three days from the October 27 order date to report. Animals arriving on or after October 27 must be reported within three days of arrival.
Avian Influenza Monitoring in Washington Herds
The B.C. Office of the Chief Veterinarian issued the directive as animal health officials monitor an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in dairy cattle across Washington State, where cases rose sharply during October 2026. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency states that HPAI has not been detected in dairy or beef cattle in Canada, nor in U.S. beef cattle. Lactating dairy cattle imported from the U.S. require pre-import HPAI testing, while federal officials emphasize that public health risks remain low and pasteurization keeps milk supplies safe.
Common Questions Regarding Cattle Reporting
Do beef cattle imported from Washington require reporting?
Yes. The order applies to both beef and dairy cattle of any age imported from Washington State after September 23, 2026, as noted by www2.gov.bc.ca.
What specific animal identification numbers must be provided?
Producers must report RFID ear tag button numbers or metal ear tag numbers, which begin with the prefix 840 for United States cattle.
Does the three-day reporting window apply to secondary movements within the province?
Yes. The reporting requirement applies each time qualifying cattle are moved onto any new B.C. premises, including temporary stopovers.
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