Advancing Animal Disease Traceability

(ADT) Road Map for

Puerto Rico 

A Three-Year Plan

Submitted by:

RAMOÓ N GONZAÁLEZ BEIRO

SECRETARY

PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

P.O. BOX 10163, SANTURCE, P.R. 00908-1163

787-721-2120

Submitted to:

FRED V. SOLTERO, DVM

AREA VETERINARIAN FOR PUERTO RICO

VETERINARY SERVICES

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

654 MUNOZ RIVERA AVE., PLAZA BLDG. SUITE 700, HATO REY, P.R. 00918

787-766-6050

Date: January 26, 2023
Table of Contents

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY _________________________________________________________________ 3

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION ______________________________________________________ 4

2.1 Who are we?_____________________________________________________________________ 4

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 goals (objectives) _____________________________________________________ 7

4.3 ADT Trace Performance Measures (TPMs) _____________________________________________ 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 Executive support ______________________________________________________________ 9

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures _____________________________________________ 9

4.7.3 Policy _______________________________________________________________________ 10

4.7.4 Staffing ______________________________________________________________________ 10

4.7.5 Budget requirements___________________________________________________________ 10

4.7.6 Outreach (required to be addressed within the Road Map) ____________________________ 10

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity _________________________________ 13

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY ____________________________________________________________ 13

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement _______________________________________________ 13

5.2 Implementation of objectives ______________________________________________________ 14
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Department of Agriculture Puerto Rico (PRDA), whose mission is to keep free 

of economically important diseases, communicable, contagious and / or zoonotic 

animal populations. The PRDA is developing a written Animal Disease Traceability 

Road Map in accordance with guidelines provided by USDA-APHIS-VS.

For PRDA, an Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Road Map and the adoption of an 

effective response system is critical to the success of disease control activities and 

must be in place in the event of a disease outbreak. Since Puerto Rico could easily be 

maintaining as a “close herd” to FAD, prevention measures shall be our priority. 

A rapid response minimizes the potential spread of contagious diseases and reduces 

the detrimental effects of diseases events. The PRDA emergency response 

capabilities can be improved through standardization of the collectable data needed 

for animal disease control programs, as increase the animal registration and 

premises. 

A benefit of the ADT is that enables PRDA and APHIS-VS to monitor the 

movement of animals on the island. By identifying all animals arriving from other 

states, it’s possible to maintain a database in case an emergency, allowing us to 

locate them and determine the source of infection immediately. The potential 

emergence of highly contagious diseases makes the need even more urgent. To be 

better able to prevent disease from spreading and to eradicate disease where it exists, 

we must be able to quickly trace infected and exposed animals. 

A rapid traceback data is required to maintain an effective disease containment, 

PRDA considers this traceback data in 48 hours, where PRDA and APHIS-VS must 

have the data required to trace affected animals. Using the common data standard 

such as Core One System, that provides information related to Premises Registration, 

and Animal Identification. 

PRDA has as an objective, to increase the number of animals identified at their birth 

premises, Since the best organized livestock sector in Puerto Rico is the milk 

industry, and all their replacement animals are imported from other states, our efforts 

should be implementing the animal identification on the dairy industry first.

PRDA will promote the standardization of animal identification in government and 

industry programs to enhance the traceability, using electronic Id Tags (840 AIN 

tags). Government programs such as “Control tick-BM86 vaccine”

The standardization data base is necessary for PRDA and APHIS-VS in Puerto Rico 

to ensure compatibility information. PRDA will be promote use the Interstate 

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) with the accredited veterinarian to 

enhance animal disease tracing and rapid emergency response.
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II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Who are we?

The Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico (PRDA) is the 

governmental agency whose mission is to promote, educate, participate in 

preventing entry of any disease affecting animal health. In conjunction 

with the District Office of USDA-VS will make efforts to implement the 

necessary mechanisms to achieve these objectives.

To achieve these objectives, PRDA maintains regular communication with 

APHIS-VS and inform the dairy, pig/hogs, beef, small ruminant’s 

producers, etc. of the benefits of identifying their premises in the ADT 

program and their animals with electronic ID-Tags.

2.2 Where are we now?

In Puerto Rico’s dairy industries, there are a large range of management 

practices among the producers. Including those that are every reluctant to 

adopt the Electronic-ID and recordkeeping requirements as the ADT 

program request. Some producers utilize individual animal identification 

for improved management capabilities while others use it as a source of 

verification. Other producers manage their animals without any official 

identification.

PRDA continue efforts to protect Puerto Rico agriculture as changes and 

challenges are addressed to prevent the entry of economically important 

diseases, communicable, prevention and foreign animal diseases to the 

animal population. 

Currently, tracing in Puerto Rico is accomplished by a combination of 

hand search and utilization of databases such as Core One and EMRS2 

programs. Traces initiated based on an official identification such as back 

tag or official ear tags are frequently requested for diseases surveillance. 

Traces that identify only the premise of origin/destination, number of 

animals that arrived. Herd records (when available) are a key factor in the 

success of these traces. Lack of herd records often requires broader 

investigations. 

In Puerto Rico, we are fortunate to have a close working relationship with 

the veterinarians involved in the food animal industries and can contact 

them for additional specifics requiring inquiries based on a particular 

shipment. 
5 

Fortunately, the Puerto Rico geographical position helps to control the 

entry of animals. There are two seaports and two airports allowing Puerto 

Rico the ability to receive animals (cattle, pigs, and horses) via sea and air.

PRDA maintains control over entry of animals that are introduced to 

Puerto Rico. They meet a series of requisites to arrive. Requirement 

includes an import permit that comply with the requisites established by 

PRDA for each animal species.

Requires a certificate of veterinary health inspection for any animal to 

reach Puerto Rico once is approved membership, staff of the PRDA will 

be notified of the arrival of these animals which will be subjected to a 

visual inspection at ports of arrival. Paper copies of CVI’s submitted by 

issuing veterinarian are filed in the state office. These files can be 

searched, by hand, chronologically by species and by destination or state 

of origin. 

PRDA are notified of the need to trace animals for a variety of reasons. 

Most commonly the tracing of animals is related to a disease situation 

(possible exposure or potential infected animal). Notification is received 

by email, fax, and phone calls. This notification can originate from the 

USDA/APHIS/VS District Office and be various types. The following 

bullets describe how these traces are carried out based on the initial 

information provided. 

Notification = Official ear tag (xxxxx#### or xxxx####) 

• Official ear tags are distributed by USDA to specific venues such 

as accredited veterinarians.

• Official ear tags are applied as part of program activities.

 

Notification = Premises of issue 

• We contact premises and hope for owner records to aid in search.

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: 

• PRDA Import and Export area, Field Staff. 

• PRDA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

• Puerto Rico Emergency Management System (ESF 11 Level).

• Open and Productive Dialogue with Industry. 

• Outreach Strategies and Effective Communication.

• Traceability included as an integral component of animal disease 

control. 
6 

• PRDA will be receive approximately 3500 electronic official ID, 

provide by USDA/APHIS/VS, which will be used for 

identification of Replacement heifers born in Puerto Rico 

Weaknesses:

• Fewer personnel for data management.

• Labor intensive, tracking system. 

• Reduction of state and federal budgets. 

• The acceptance of animal identification program by producers. 

2.4 Opportunities and Threats

Part of the challenge and the constant threat of foreign diseases are due to 

the proximity of countries with, Classical Swine Fever (CSF), African 

Swine Fever (ASF), Bovine Brucellosis, the migratory movement of birds, 

portable Avian Influenza (AI) or illegal movement of people, which 

increases progressively to the extent that our borders are not protected 

properly. 

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment

The PRDA has the capability to implement animal disease traceability as 

part of an overarching plan to protect the consumers and producers of 

livestock from devastation caused by animal diseases. Access to USDA 

resources remains a critical factor in the eventual success of such 

programs. 

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Vision Statement

The vision of the PRDA is to enforce state animal health regulations to 

prevent, control, and eradicate infectious or communicable diseases of 

livestock and domestic animals. The PRDA also works to protect the state 

from animal pests and diseases that threaten economic and public health. 

3.2 Mission Statement

The mission of the PRDA is to safeguard the animal health, enforce the 

animal health regulations to prevent, control, and eradicate infectious or 

communicable diseases of livestock and domestic animals and respond to 

Emergency Support Function (ESF-11) emergencies related to man-made

and/or natural disasters affecting animals.
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IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

These goals and objectives are intended to be progressive for the coming years and 

are not specific to any single year. 

4.1 Strategic goal(s)

To develop and implement a state-wide infrastructure for advancing 

animal disease traceability compatible with States, and USDA standards. 

The purpose of PRDA is the development in conjunction with USDA-VS 

of a comprehensive system of animal disease traceability.

4.2 Programmatic goals (objectives)

• Improve animal movement data entry into Core One and EMRS2 

programs. 

• Improve retrieval capabilities of available traceability information.

• Establish compatible standards for sharing data with 

States/Tribes/Territories and USDA when needed.

• Integrate surveillance and traceability data.

• Develop state policy pertaining to traceability. 

• Target, develop, and implement outreach messaging regarding data 

quality and processing for animal health information forms. 

4.3 ADT Trace Performance Measures (TPMs)

Traceability Performance Standards: 

1. Notify States where reference animals were officially identified.

2. Identify traceability unit in which reference animals were 

identified.

3. Notify State from where reference animals were shipped. 

4. Identify traceability unit from which reference animals were 

shipped. 

Performance Measures: 

• Time required reporting to the State of official tagging/identifying 

of an animal in question that has moved interstate. 

• Time required for the State of first officially tagging/identifying 

of an animal in question that has moved interstate to provide 

record of the official tag distribution. 

• Time required reporting to the State from which the animal has 

moved interstate. 
8

• Time required for the State from which the animal has moved 

interstate to provide the location and contact information from 

which the animal was moved interstate.

4.4 Data requirements

Animal disease traceability data is acquired through various programs. 

Storage, retrieval, and utilization will continue to be by a multi-faceted 

approach. Efforts will continue to make data searchable in the most 

efficient possible manner. Electronic means are being merged with paperbased systems. Valuable traceability data are currently collected and 

provided via paper formats, and these are sorted and filed by date, species, 

and destination. This system will be integrated into any developing 

animal disease traceability information system. The shortage of human 

resources restricts progress of data management. 

 

Standards used for location identification will mirror USDA guidelines.

Standards used for official animal identification will duplicate federal 

standards as prescribed by Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). CFR will 

define any official identification methods/devices accepted in Puerto Rico.

PRDA will expand the utilization of official ear tags beyond the current 

system on a voluntary basis with producers and practitioners. Tag

distribution will be a collaborative effort. VS Memo 578.12 will serve as 

a guideline for Electronic ID ear tag distribution. The data collection and 

entering of the tags is being done by USDA-VS and PRDA. The state does 

not have an official form to collect the data. The Electronic ID ear tag 

utilization and estimated annual volume of tags are dependent on adoption 

of federal requirements for official identification. 

Record keeping is a core component to Electronic ID ear tag and all 

official tag systems. Tags will be assigned to an official

premises/premises owner. The veterinarian or livestock owner

applying the tags will be responsible for timely submission of accurate and 

complete records. PRDA recognizes the need for and support all efforts to 

move towards more efficient storage and retrieval of animal disease

traceability information. Data will be shared with other States, Territories, 

and USDA through USDA programs. Current protocol will extend to 

traceability programs. Data requirements for commuter herd agreements 

will be species

specific. 

4.5 Information technology plan

PRDA recognizes the need for and support all efforts to move towards 

more efficient storage and retrieval of animal disease traceability 
9

information. Current efforts include adoption of a process to include 

electronic search capabilities with paper storage of Official Certification 

of Veterinary Inspection.

4.6 Resource requirements

Current PRDA staff has specific expertise to implement traceability.

PRDA need additional data management staff to record, process, and track 

large volumes of animal movement data.

Automated data capture equipment available is on limited supply 

currently. Additional equipment will help to facilitate further adoption by 

veterinary practitioners and producers. PRDA have 3 MIM’s Units and 2 

stick readers, PRDA need other two (2) stick units and one (1) laptop to 

submit data.

4.7 Organizational needs

4.7.1 Executive support

Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Services are fully 

supportive of the development of an animal disease traceability 

system. 

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures

Internal program oversight is under the direction of Puerto Rico 

State Veterinarian and the Puerto Rico Department of 

Agriculture Secretary. 

A description of the Puerto Rico Animal Disease Traceability 

Working Group: 

The Puerto Rico Animal Disease Traceability Working Group 

may be assigned a sub-committee of the Puerto Rico Animal 

Industry Technical Council (PR-AITC). The PR-AITC is an 

official advisory board created under, Puerto Rico Statutes to 

advise and make recommendations to the Department of 

Agriculture on issues concerning the protection of the animal and 

livestock interests of Puerto Rico. The Traceability Working 

Group includes a producer, veterinary practitioners, livestock 

market owners, Dairy Industry “Asociación de Agricultores”, 

etc. 
10

This group meets in person approximately two times each year. 

Additional meetings can be held as necessary to respond to 

program announcements. Information is shared via written 

correspondence and conference calls are scheduled as needed. 

Meetings of this PR-AITC sub-committee are open to all 

interested parties in addition to the committee members.

Additional feedback is gained through working with all industry 

groups and stakeholders to implement traceability.

4.7.3 Policy

The information which is required to register any premises is 

basic and not normally considered proprietary. 

Individual animal identification and destination data would be 

considered proprietary in most cases. To protect producer

privacy, the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture and 

Veterinary Services, does not plan to become a manager of 

individual animal identification numbers or trade information. 

4.7.4 Staffing

Existing PRDA-VS staff is currently utilized for implementing 

animal disease traceability. Traceability is included as part of 

many activities of the PRDA-VS. In addition, key staff members 

are identified as traceability program managers. Additional staff 

would be needed to increase the scale of operations to include 

more data management and an increase in services provided.

4.7.5 Budget requirements

Annual budgets can be established only after a program is further 

defined. Since 2014, PRDA-VS have spent an average of 

$13,911 annually on animal disease traceability with 100% of 

this coming from Federal Cooperative Agreement funding. 

4.7.6 Outreach (required to be addressed within the Road Map)

The PRDA-VS outreach plan includes livestock producers, swine 

feeder producers, poultry producers, dairy cattle producers, small 

ruminants, and individuals from all industry sectors. 
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Outreach will be needed to explain USDA plans for rule 

implementation and state actions to help producers meet 

traceability requirements.

Efforts will focus on outreach to make producers aware of the 

major initiative to enhance traceability. Emphasis will be placed 

on continuing to maintain a premises registration on Core One 

and EMRS2 programs. 

Additional emphasis will be placed on planning to enable 

livestock producers and the state to meet traceability 

requirements for implementation of federal regulations. State 

personnel will explain the shift to the need for development of a 

plan to enhance traceability and potentially respond to new 

regulations that are enacted. 

Specific outreach will continue serving the Dairy Industry sector. 

Outreach to and through USDA Accredited Veterinarians will 

foster understanding of traceability by veterinarians and equip 

them with animal identification resources for their customers. 

Information will need to be provided to producers on 

identification methods that will meet the requirements for official 

ID. Tags will have to be provided that have been manufactured 

and recorded through an approved AIN manufacturer to ensure 

data capture of correlated producer premises identification 

number and assigned tag numbers. 

A system will be implemented to assign and distribute USDA 

Official electronic ID tags directly to producers. Records of tags 

distribution and utilization will be captured through data entry 

with costs covered by cooperative agreement to the extent 

possible. 

General outreach will continue to the extent possible with 

allowances for reductions in state (PRDA) budgets and Federal 

Cooperative Agreement budgets. Priorities will include 

maintenance of premises identification infrastructure, premises 

renewals and providing timely and accurate information to all 

stakeholders.

Outreach will include initiatives to encourage producers who 

have previously registered their premises to update their 

premises records as needed. PRDA will continue to engage 

producers and industry stakeholders to seek feedback for 

improving traceability. 
12

4.7.6.1 Accredited veterinarians

The Puerto Rico Traceability Coordinating Group 

could include accredited veterinarians. We are 

fortunate to have a close working relationship with 

the veterinarians involved in the food animal 

industries of Puerto Rico.

Outreach to accredited veterinarians is ongoing. 

PRDA Animal Industry staff maintains the ability to 

contact all food animal practitioners through 

working with the industry to facilitate these 

conferences. Traceability information is routinely 

shared as part of this conference program.

Official Premises identification provided by PRDA 

can be made available to producers through their 

veterinarians. The USDA plan for electronic ID tag 

distribution includes veterinarians. 

4.7.6.2 Slaughter plants

Puerto Rico has five private slaughter plants, 

located around the island. These plants process 

cattle, swine, goats, and sheep, all under inspection 

by FSIS. 

Notification = Back tag number for residue 

concerns or slaughter surveillance suspects (##XX-

#### format)

• A slaughter date will be included in the trace 

request.

• Back tag indicates the Livestock Dealer who 

presented the animal for slaughter by the 

two-letter code.

o We have access to these records as 

needed.

o Based on the report we can identify 

the name of the consignor of the 

animal to the market.

• We contact the consignor of the back tag in 

question and confirm that they did sell one 

or more animals on said date and we gather 

all pertinent information regarding the 
13

specific animal in question and the herd in 

general.

4.7.6.3 Industry as a whole

General outreach will continue to the extent 

possible through media and participation in 

producer meetings. The PRDA staff is involved 

with all types of producer groups from various food 

animal, equine, and poultry species. 

 

The University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, 

“Colegio de Ciencias Agricolas” (UPR-RUM, 

CCA) is a major outreach partner in that 

information can be shared through their Cooperative 

Extension offices in every county. 

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity

The PRDA monthly and annual reports show:

• Number of Import Permit Numbers assigned for Veterinary 

Inspection and other interstate movement documents for 

movement into Puerto Rico.

• Number of Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspection and 

other interstate movement documents for movement out of Puerto 

Rico. 

• Numbers of animals by species and class for all interstate 

movements.

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY 

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement

• Maintain Current Animal Disease Traceability Infrastructure

• Further Refine Tracing Capabilities and Procedures 

• Continue Premises Identification and Registration

• Continue Industry Outreach and Involvement Through All Possible 

Means 

• Enhance Current Traceability Capability

• Optimize the Acquisition and Search Capability of Animal Disease 

Traceability Data

• Increase the utilization of official identification in Puerto Rico 

livestock.
14

• Prepare livestock producers, markets, and shippers to meet future 

interstate movement requirements and to better insure traceability.

5.2 Implementation of objectives

Objective 1 – Maintain Current Animal Disease Traceability 

Infrastructure.

Three core components of Puerto Rico’s Traceability program are 

identified. 

Premises-Registration:

• Continue Premises Registration 

• Maintain and Update SPRS Data 

• Register additional premises through all means available.

Increase Search capability for existing records:

• Continue to maintain high priority for filing paper records. 

• Develop system(s) to make paper files searchable electronically. 

• Encourage utilization of electronic data collection and storage.

Increase Individual Animal Identification in Puerto Rico:

• Make Electronic ID tags available to all interested participants.

• Ensure that records are maintained for all tags distributed.

• Network with owners of captured individual animal movement 

data. 

Objective 2 – Enhance Current Traceability Capability

PRDA has documented effective response in foreign and program 

animal disease traceability. Examples of recent challenges include Bovine 

TB and BRT in a large dairy herd. Time required for response to traces 

depends on level of priority for each case. PRDA has proven its ability to 

respond rapidly when circumstances warrant. Efforts are more focused on 

completeness and attention to detail, than on speed. 

Efforts are being made to establish baseline data on livestock transported 

into and out of state to characterize numbers of shipments, number of 

animals, use of CVI, and type of identification. This basic information is 

needed to address planning for establishing a mandatory requirement for 

animal identification and documentation of the state’s level of traceability. 

This information is needed to plan for tag acquisition and distribution after 

official identification is required to move animals interstate. 
15

Under cooperative agreements, PRDA will work with the USDA Area 

Office to establish a distribution methodology and record capture system 

for official Electronic ID tags. 

Participation by producers can be expected to increase significantly if 

identification for interstate movement is required. Distribution of these 

tags at no cost to the producer will require additional resources for tag 

distribution and recordkeeping. 

Tracing will be initially from point of origin and point of premises, to 

slaughter, and then later each animal movement by recording and 

capturing animal and premises data. 

Objective 3 –Optimize the Acquisition and Search Capability of 

Animal Disease Traceability Data. 

The PRDA will initiate efforts to enhance electronic accessibility of 

traceability data associated with program disease work. PRDA will 

support standardized traceability data entry of animal movement data into 

electronically searchable format. PRDA hopes to work with USDA to 

develop an automated system which specifically addresses animal disease 

traceability.

Objective 4 –Implement an Outreach Plan to include accredited 

Veterinarians, Livestock Producers, and producers of all sectors.

Outreach will be needed to explain USDA plans for rule implementation 

and state actions to help producers meet traceability requirements.

Efforts will focus on outreach to make producers aware of the major 

initiative to enhance traceability. Emphasis will be placed on continuing 

to maintain a premises registration database. Additional emphasis will be 

placed on planning to enable livestock producers and the state to meet 

traceability requirements for implementation of a federal regulation. State 

personnel will explain the shift to a state-tribal based system and the need 

for development of a plan to enhance traceability and potentially respond 

to new regulations that are enacted. 

Specific outreach will continue to private veterinarians serving the cattle 

sector. Outreach to and through USDA Accredited Veterinarians will 

foster understanding of traceability by veterinarians and equip them to be 

animal identification resources for their customers. Program managers 

will be involved in training practitioners and their technicians in utilization 

of the VSPS. 
16

General outreach will continue to the extent possible with allowances for 

reductions in state (PRDA) budgets and Federal Cooperative Agreement 

budgets. Priorities will include maintenance of premises identification 

infrastructure, premises renewals and providing timely and accurate 

information to all stakeholders.

Outreach will include initiatives to encourage producers who have 

previously registered their premises to update their premises records as 

needed. PRDA will continue to engage producers and industry 

stakeholders to seek feedback for improving traceability.