ADVANCING ANIMAL DISEASE TRACEABILITY

ROAD MAP FOR

ILLINOIS

A Three-Year Plan

Submitted by:

Dr. Mark Ernst

State Veterinarian

Division of Food Safety and Animal Protection

The Illinois Department of Agriculture

____________________________________________________________________________

Submitted to:

Dr. David Barber

Area Veterinarian in Charge Illinois

Veterinary Services

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

United States Department of Agriculture

February 11, 2021
Table of Contents

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................... 3

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION.......................................................................... 3

2.1 Who are we? ......................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Where are we now?............................................................................................... 4

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses.................................................................................... 5

2.4 Opportunities and Threats..................................................................................... 6

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment..................... 6

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY..................... 6

3.1 Vision statement ................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Mission statement ................................................................................................. 6

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................... 7

4.1 Strategic goal(s)............................................................................ 7

4.2 Programmatic goal(s) (Objectives)...................................................... 7

4.3 Animal disease traceability performance measures.............................................. 7

4.4 Data requirements................................................................................................. 8

4.5 Information technology plan................................................................................. 8

4.6 Resource requirements.......................................................................................... 9

4.7 Organizational needs............................................................................................. 9

4.7.1 Outreach...................................................................................9

4.7.1.1 Accredited veterinarians............................................................. 9

4.7.1.2 Livestock markets....................................................................... 9

4.7.1.3 Industry as a whole ................................................................... 10

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity ..................................... 10

V. TRACEABILITY IMPLEMENTATION............................................................................. 10

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement ............................................................... 10
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Illinois is the home to approximately16,269 cattle farms and 2,153 swine farms, which make 

up the majority of food animal production in the state. Illinois is the 4th largest swine producing 

state in the country and 2nd largest state for corn and soybeans, making crops, and livestock

dependent on crops, a vital economic driver for the state. 

A major concern with IDOA’s (Illinois Department of Agriculture) traceability system is that 

much of the traceability information is not in a searchable database and due to state budget 

constraints; there is a shortage of personnel to perform the necessary data input. The Department 

has initiated the process of scanning and indexing all CVI’s for integration with software capable 

of searching based on specific data fields, however the ability to search scanned, hand-written 

documents is difficult and of limited value. IDOA uses the Surveillance Collaboration Services 

(SCS) software system to whatever extent possible to improve electronic searchability. This 

system supports other state and federal animal health information needs. IDOA is utilizing 

available staff to perform traceability related data input. IDOA has been working on the final 

acquisition of USA HERDS database. Once finalized, the utilization of this software will 

streamline the process. 

It is estimated that over 80% of Illinois livestock originate from a registered premises. 

However, this still leaves a significant number of unregistered premises that could slow down a 

response to a major animal disease outbreak. Therefore, IDOA continues to promote and 

encourage livestock premises registration. IDOA uses only the State Premises Registration System 

(SPRS) utilizing the 7-digit alphanumeric system. This provides for a more uniform and less 

confusing system of location identification. In 2019 a premises update initiative was implemented

and IDOA updated 1,731 premises as a result of this action. Premise updates have been limited 

due to a lack of staffing resources. In addition, 1,044 new premises had been registered from 

January 2018 to present due to the outreach to producers through-out Illinois livestock industries. 

Illinois continues to promote the use of electronic CVI’s issued in the State, especially for interstate 

movement. 

The number of animals individually and/or group lot identified as well as the number that can 

be traced back to the last point of commingling continues to increase within the state. NUES tags 

provided by USDA are distributed to producers on a case by case basis. The use of 840 tags

continues to be strongly encouraged. IDOA continues to distribute RFID 840 tags to accredited 

veterinarians, both as NUES “brite” tag replacements and NUES OCV tag replacement. IDOA 

also has a limited supply of RFID 840 tags provided to producers in some circumstances. 

 As Illinois continues to improve its ability to trace diseased animals, the industry will be 

better able to respond to an emergency livestock disease and minimize the damage to the industry. 

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Who are we?

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the lead agency in Illinois for 

Animal Disease Traceability. Those impacted most by livestock traceability 

are livestock producers and markets. These, along with veterinarians, are 

the primary constituents and require the most collaboration. 
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 In Illinois, statewide means the state of Illinois.

 Traceability data in Illinois is used to:

• Respond to disease outbreaks

• Monitor program diseases

• Provide information to livestock owners about current disease 

concerns and future issues.

The following values guide the animal disease traceability system:

• Protecting Animal Health

• Protecting Human Health

• Protecting the Marketability of the Livestock Industry in Illinois

The livestock advisory board in Illinois is made up of the following organizations:

Horsemen’s Council of Illinois

Illinois Association of County Fairs

Illinois Beef Association

Illinois Farm Bureau

Illinois Milk Producers Association

Illinois Pork Producers Association

Illinois Sheep Industry

Illinois Horse and Pony Breeders and Exhibitors Association

Illinois Deer and Elk Association

Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association

Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners 

Illinois Poultry Association 

Illinois Gamebird Association 

Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association 

Illinois FFA

USDA-APHIS, VS

USDA-FSA

USDA-NASS

2.2 Where are we now?

Animal disease traceability is defined as a system that enhances state and 

federal animal health official’s ability to conduct a disease investigation 

and locate the origin of diseased livestock and any trace forward locations. 

The animal disease traceability system links, expands, and enhances a 

number of current systems which store animal health information. 
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The following are measures of current traceability capabilities.

• Determine the state in which the animal was officially 

identified and notify that state of the reference animal’s 

official identification number. This typically occurs

within one business day depending on type of official ID. 

• Confirm that IDOA has documentation that an official ID 

number was issued within its jurisdiction and that it has 

contact information for the person who received that 

number. Some are confirmed within minutes of receipt. 

Some may take several days. We have implemented

procedures to make this process more efficient. USA 

Herds will streamline this process. 

• IDOA determines the state from which the reference 

animal was moved interstate into IDOA’s jurisdiction and 

notifies that state of the reference animal’s official ID 

number. We anticipate this takes 1-10 business days 

depending on the type of ID, how long post movement the 

trace is initiated, whether the official ID was recorded on 

a CVI, and whether the CVI was filed with the state. 

Search time is markedly reduced if an e-CVI was 

completed for the movement. This time will be decreased 

with the use of USA Herds. 

• Determine the location from which a reference animal 

was shipped. We anticipate this takes 1 to 7 days 

depending on the type of official ID, how long after it was 

moved that we are tracing it, whether the official ID was 

recorded on a CVI and whether the CVI was filed with 

the state of origin on a timely basis.

IDOA currently complies with USDA traceability standards. 

• USDA approved official ID are approved for all species by IDOA.

• 840 tags are distributed through the AIN system. 

• IDOA utilizes the national allocator to assign premises ID.

• IDOA does not use or recognize Owner/Shipper Statements for 

interstate movement of livestock.

• Requests for information are available during business hours.

2.3 Strengths of the Program:

• A high percentage of livestock originate from registered premises.

• CVI’s are filed by state and species.

• Import and export CVI’s are scanned and indexed for electronic 

searchability.

• There is increased utilization of e-CVIs by veterinarians

• Acquiring USA Herds
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Weakness of the Program:

• Illinois does not have mandatory identification of animals when they 

leave the farm of origin and enter intrastate commerce.

• Illinois still recognizes registration tattoos as official identifiers when 

the animal is accompanied by the registration certificate.

• Not all official identification tags, certificates of veterinary inspection 

and vaccination certificates are searchable electronically; however, the 

ability to search these documents electronically is improving.

• Illinois does not have mandatory premises registration.

• Budget and personnel challenges continue to make data input and 

electronic searchability difficult to achieve.

• IT support is very limited in the state system.

2.4 Opportunities and Threats:

Improving animal disease traceability decreases the threat to the 

livestock industry from disease as well as improves response to disease

occurrences. The traceability rule provides opportunities to improve 

efficiencies in data collection, storage, searching capability and the 

ability to share information.

2.5 Inventory of Existing Infrastructure and Suitability Assessment

• IDOA employs one field veterinarians and five animal and animal 

products investigators, who have limited time for traceability work. In 

the office, IDOA employs the State Veterinarian, Assistant State 

Veterinarian, Animal Emergency Disease Coordinator, and three

clerical staff that allocate a portion of their time to traceability.

• NUES tags and RFID 840 tags are distributed by the Bureau of Animal 

Health and Welfare.

• There is adequate office space availability.

• IDOA has access to the SPRS and AIN system.

• IDOA and the USDA/Veterinary Services Area Office manage a 

combination of paper and electronic records.

• IDOA files paper CVI’s by state and species and scanned CVI’s by state. 

• It is anticipated that automated data capture capability will improve with 

the use of existing software resources available through the state.

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Vision Statement

The Illinois Department of Agriculture's vision is to promote and regulate 

agriculture in a manner which encourages farming and agribusiness while protecting 

Illinois' consumers and our natural resources.
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3.2 Mission Statement

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will be an advocate for Illinois' agricultural 

industry and provide the necessary regulatory functions to benefit consumers, 

agricultural industry, and our natural resources. The agency will strive to promote 

agri-business in Illinois and throughout the world.

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Strategic Goals with Available Funding

• Illinois continues to educate stakeholders on the benefits of premises 

registration. 

• Illinois is striving to enhance the tag distribution recording system 

including improving reporting of tags issued to producers by 

veterinarians and developing a system for distribution of tags directly 

to producers.

• IDOA uses the SCS software system to make more traceability data 

searchable.

• IDOA continues to encourage accredited veterinarians to use 

electronic systems for submitting tests and for issuing CVI’s.

• IDOA continues to encourage producer groups, livestock markets, and 

state exhibitions to use official 840 RFID tags and premises 

registration.

• IDOA acquires a substantial number of 840 RFID tags annually to 

distribute to veterinarians and producers.

4.2 Programmatic goals (objectives):

• Monitor ICVI data quality.

• Input data into appropriate systems.

• Improve retrieval of available traceability information.

• Establish compatible standards for sharing data with 

States/Tribes/Territories and USDA when needed.

• Provide information regarding traceability including official ID 

devices on IDOA website and to livestock producers and 

veterinarians.

• IDOA staff reviews certificates of veterinary inspection (CVI) for 

compliance with import requirements and official identification of 

animals on the CVI’s.

• Enhance IT infrastructure and coordinate with USDA to make data 

compatible.

• Establish and/or update tag distribution record system.

• IDOA will continue to enhance IT infrastructure and the tag 

distribution record system as resources allow according to need.

4.3 Animal Disease Traceability Performance Measures 
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IDOA uses the following traceability performance standards to measure 

progress:

• Determine the state in which the animal was officially 

identified and notify that state of the reference animal’s 

official identification number. 

• Confirm that the IDOA has documentation that an official 

ID number was issued within its jurisdiction and that it 

has contact information for the person who received that 

number. 

• Determine the state from which the animal was moved 

interstate into IDOA’s jurisdiction and notify that state of 

the reference animal’s official ID number.

• Determine the address or location from which reference 

animal was shipped.

4.4 Data Requirements

• IDOA uses the SPRS premises registration system and plans to 

continue to use that system as well as the USA Herds system and 

encourages additional producers to register. Our current premises 

database is updated/validated regularly.

• IDOA accepts all official individual animal ID methods that are 

approved by USDA.

• IDOA allows tag distribution to producers in addition to the current 

tag distribution of metal tags to veterinarians. The distribution system 

to producers is tracked in accordance with USDA guidelines. This is

accomplished by using the AIN Management system and state tag 

distribution database. 

• IDOA distributes a certificate of veterinary inspection form for 

interstate use and allows the use of m-CVI, Global Vet Link, AgMove, 

and USDA-VSPS for electronic CVIs.

• Information is shared with other states and USDA when necessary for 

animal disease traceability. It may be shared in electronic or hard copy

format depending on the type of information requested.

• Group/lot official numbers are handled in accordance with USDA 

requirements.

4.5 Information Technology Plan

• IDOA uses and plans to continue to use the SPRS system for premises 

registration and the AIN for 840 tags. Premises registration is collected 

by paper and manually entered by IDOA.

• IDOA utilizes SCS software and stores the information in the federal 

database.
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• IDOA will add as much traceability information as possible to the SCS 

system.

• IDOA is implementing the USA Herds database system.

4.6 Resource Requirements

• IDOA will utilize existing staff, both field staff and office 

staff, to further animal disease traceability. Additional staff 

time is needed for a timely review, including accuracy 

checks, of permits and CVI’s.

• Automated data capture resources are needed for such things 

as CVI’s, permits and tag databases.

4.7 Organizational Needs

• Animal disease traceability is managed by the State 

Veterinarian with the assistance of the Bureau Chief for 

Animal Health and Welfare and the Emergency Coordinator. 

This program is necessary for all other animal health 

programs to succeed. Traceability is necessary to detect, 

control and eradicate all program diseases as well as any 

emergency or emerging diseases

• Illinois’ traceability advisory group is made up of various 

livestock groups, farm organizations, university and government 

agencies all listed above. They are engaged on an as-needed basis

and the group has not met in several years. 

4.7.1 Outreach

4.7.1.1 Veterinarians:

• IDOA cooperates with the USDA-VS to deliver 

accreditation training to veterinarians, part of 

which discusses traceability. 

• IDOA continues to educate veterinarians on the 

benefits of electronic ICVIs and recommend their

use when dealing with large numbers of livestock 

so that official identification may be 

automatically uploaded.

4.7.1.2 Livestock Markets, Dealers and Truckers

• IDOA licenses Livestock Markets and Dealers. 

With this licensure comes recordkeeping 

requirements that are necessary for animal 

disease traceability. 

• IDOA staff inspects markets and dealers to 

ensure accurate records and animal identification 
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are being kept to allow for animal disease 

traceability. These inspections along with initial 

licensure inspections are directed toward 

education and outreach of record keeping 

requirements to ensure animal traceability.

4.7.1.3 Industry as a Whole

• The largest livestock sector in Illinois is swine, of 

which we have excellent traceability. The majority

of the largest swine producers have registered 

their premises. With cattle being the primary 

target in the traceability rule, considerable 

outreach focus is required for those producers 

working through the Illinois Beef Association, 

Dairy Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

• Traceability is also promoted at all emergency 

preparedness programs for producers and 

veterinarians.

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity

• IDOA reviews all import CVIs to ensure compliance with import 

requirements. 

• The following data for livestock movements is compiled on quarterly 

reports in the calendar year:

o Number of livestock ICVIs created within the State on a yearto-date basis for exported animals.

o Number of livestock ICVIs received for imported animals.

o Number of livestock by species, officially identified for import

events associated with ICVIs.

o Number of livestock by species, officially identified for export

events associated with ICVIs. 

• The State maintains the number of official identification devices 

distributed by State Animal Health Officials or agents.

V. TRACEABILITY IMPLEMENTATION

5.1 Ranking of Priorities for Advancement 

• IDOA is implementing the USA Herds database system so that

information can be searched electronically in an efficient manner. This 

may include the following:

-Monitor ICVI data quality

-Input of data into appropriate systems

-Improve retrieval of available traceability information
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-Establish compatible standards for sharing data with 

States/Tribes/Territories and USDA when needed

-Review certificates of veterinary inspection (CVI) for compliance with 

import requirements and official identification of animals on the CVI’s.

-Enhance IT infrastructure and coordinate with USDA to make data 

compatible

• IDOA continues to register premises and will continue to educate

stakeholders on the benefits of registration. IDOA will also continue to 

update and renew the database.

• IDOA plans to continue enhancing the tag distribution recording 

system including improving reporting of tags issued to producers by 

veterinarians, markets, dealers, and truckers and developing a system 

for distribution of tags directly to producers.

• IDOA plans to continue education and outreach with the livestock 

industry to explain animal disease traceability, its benefits and how 

officially identifying animals prior to leaving the farm of origin 

protects the industry.

• IDOA will provide information regarding traceability including official 

ID devices on IDOA website and to livestock producers and 

veterinarians.