A new North Carolina law aimed at combating the growing problem of feral swine goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2011.
The new law's primary objective is to stop the transport of feral swine into and around the state, and thus, will require identification (ID) approved by the state veterinarian's office of all swine in transport on public roads including all commercial swine. If stopped by any law enforcement officer, a person transporting swine without proper identification is subject to a $5,000 per head fine.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Division has been working with producers to develop a number of identification options that will comply with the new law without placing undue burden or cost on producers. Those options will include:
Other forms of ID that are expected to be approved are use of slap tattoos or ear notches that link back to a farm ID/state ID.
A comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions prepared by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture can be found here.
You can also hear an interview with North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler about this new law by visiting NCDA&CS's "In the Field" blog.
If you would like to join a distribution list to receive updated information on this new law, please send an email to: Joe.Web@ncagr.gov and request to be added to the swine ID distribution list.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Angie Whitener at the North Carolina Pork Council by email or by telephone at (919) 781-0361.