By Jodi Legge, Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium Executive Director
The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) was created in 2001 to manage and maintain a national animal identification system to facilitate speedy “trace back” and “trace forward” efforts in case of an animal disease outbreak.
Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to mandate livestock premises registration and WLIC has an ongoing public-private partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to implement and maintain the premises registration program. WLIC was already registering premises voluntarily when a BSE-infected dairy cow was discovered in Washington State in December 2003, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to put premises and livestock identification on a fast track. In early 2004, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a law mandating premises legislation.
What is premises registration?
Livestock premises registration means that any location where livestock congregate – family farm, hobby farm, backyard poultry flocks, veterinary clinics, markets, livestock feedlots, livestock dealers and haulers – provides an address, contact person and list of species to a central database. The location gets a unique number. The goal is to be able to trace livestock movements within 48 hours in case of an animal disease outbreak, to find where an infection originated and which animals have been exposed.
Premises registration allows for much faster traces when there is an outbreak of an animal disease or an animal-borne human disease. If DATCP knows where susceptible animals are located, they can control the outbreak.
What properties must be registered?
Any location in Wisconsin where livestock are kept or congregated must be registered. Livestock includes:
• Cattle and other bovine animals
• Swine
• Poultry
• Sheep
• Goats
• Horses and other equine animals
• Farm-raised deer and other cervids
• Game birds including pheasants, quail, wild turkeys, migrating waterfowl, pigeons, and exotic birds raised in captivity
• Bison
• Llamas and other camelids
• Ratites such as emus and ostriches
• Fish
Premises include:
• Farms and hobby farms
• Veterinary clinics with large animal hospital facilities
• Stables
• Animal markets
• Livestock feedlots, animal trucker and dealer premises where animals are kept
• Animal processing/rendering plants
• Livestock exhibitions
• Any other location where livestock is kept or congregated
The premises registration number stays with the location; in other words, a change in property ownership will not change the premises
identification number.
Who must register?
Premises registration is required for all locations where livestock are kept or congregated.
The property owner, livestock owner, livestock caretaker or other person involved in the livestock operation must register facilities not licensed by DATCP. If two or more people keep livestock on the same premises, one registration covers all.
Current DATCP licensees must register their licensed livestock premises (dairy, deer and fish farms; animal markets, dealers and truckers; slaughter and rendering plants; and equine quarantine facilities).
Are there any exemptions?
Individuals with a sincerely held religious belief opposing registration of a livestock premises can seek an exemption under s. 95.51(2), Wis. Stats. To do so, the individual must complete an application and affidavit, signed before a notary public, and submit that application to DATCP. Only individuals can apply for a religious exemption, not businesses. If the information provided in the affidavit cannot be verified by DATCP, the application may be denied, and current premises registration requirements will apply.
Is my information confidential?
Information provided by the registrant is confidential unless other laws require it to be open.
The premises registration number by itself is not confidential. DATCP may disclose confidential information if necessary to prevent or control disease or protect public health.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge for registering premises.
What information is required?
• Legal name, trade name, mailing address and phone
• Primary premises and up to three secondary locations
• Name and phone for contact person who has knowledge of livestock movements to and from premises
• Type of operation
• Type of livestock
Registrant will receive a unique premises registration number.
How can I register now?
• Fill out and submit an online registration/renewal form
• Email, mail or fax a paper application to WLIC
• Call WLIC at (888) 808-1910
How do I renew my premises registration?
DATCP requires each livestock premises to renew its registration once every three years and 2019 is a renewal year. If you have not yet renewed your premises, please do so as soon as possible.
If you move, change phone numbers, change contact name or add a new species on your premises, you must update your information
in one of the following ways:
• Fill out and submit an online registration/renewal form.
• Make corrections to your renewal form and return it in the mail to WLIC.
• Call WLIC at (888) 808-1910 and provide the information that needs to be updated.
Once a premises registration has been renewed, a confirmation letter with a premises ID card will be emailed to the registrant (paper copy mailed upon request). DATCP reminds livestock owners to keep their cards for future reference. Some organizations or events, such as fairs, may ask for a premises ID number in order to participate in their activities.
For more information about WLIC or premises registration, please visit the organization’s website at www.wiid.org or call the WLIC office at (888) 808-1910.