1. Cattle imported into the state must be accompanied by an official certificate of veterinary inspection except:

a. Cattle originating directly from a producer's premises, not diverted en route, and consigned to an auction market approved by the board; b. Cattle consigned to a state or federally inspected slaughtering establishment; c. Cattle granted an exception by the board, if in the determination of the state veterinarian the animals are free of contagious or infectious diseases; d. Cattle leaving the state for exhibition or competition with a valid certificate of veterinary inspection may return to the state with the same certificate of veterinary inspection if the animal has not been out of the state for more than thirty days; and e. Other cattle as otherwise provided for by these rules.

2. Certificates of veterinary inspection for cattle must include an importation permit number issued by the state veterinarian before entering the state. Cattle imported on an approved electronic certificate of veterinary inspection platform, not originating in an area classified as infected with contagious disease by the board or state veterinarian, may be exempt from the requirement for an importation permit number.

3. The state veterinarian may deny a request for an importation permit number if the state veterinarian has information that cattle:

a. Have not met the disease testing, vaccination, or identification requirements set forth in North Dakota Century Code title 36 or this title, or as otherwise required by the state veterinarian; b. Has not met any pre-entry quarantine conditions imposed by law; c. Has been exposed to, may have been exposed to, is infected with, or may be infected with any contagious or infectious disease; d. Is or may originate from an area or premises under quarantine or other form of official or regulatory action relating to contagious or infectious disease; or

e. May be a threat to the health and well-being of the human or animal population of the state, or both.

4. Cattle entering the state must be officially identified by a method approved by the state veterinarian. Feeder heifers, feeder steers, and spayed heifers are exempt from identification rules, unless they are dairy source or exhibition or rodeo animals.

5. Cattle from foreign countries must be permanently officially identified with a method prescribed by the state veterinarian and an electronic identification compatible with the federal animal identification plan.

6. 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.

7. Cattle infected, or recently exposed to any contagious or infectious disease, may not be imported.

History: Effective July 1, 2016; amended effective July 1, 2024; April 1, 2026.

General Authority: NDCC 36-01-08

Law Implemented: NDCC 36-01-08, 36-01-12, 36-14-04.1