WHEN IS AN INSPECTION REQUIRED?

CATTLE OWNERSHIP INSPECTION (Brand Inspection)

Inspection is required per Livestock Identification Regulations B.C. 69/81 and the Livestock Identification Act

Inspection is required by B.C. Law in the following instances:

• Cattle leave a prescribed area of the Province on route to; Inter Provincial shipment, entering the United States, entering the non-prescribed area of the Province (Lower Mainland and surrounding Islands)
• Cattle leaving the non-prescribed area of the Province on route to a prescribed area or through a prescribed area
• Cattle being transported from one brand prescription area to another within the Province and not going directly to a public sale outlet or slaughter facility.

  the only exception is per Livestock Identification Regs Part 2, Shipment and Inspection of Livestock Section 20, Article 5; – a contributor who, without change of ownership, transports cattle from a place in a prescribed brand inspection area to a place in another prescribed brand inspection area for purposes of grazing, is exempt from the provisions of subsections (1) and (2),but, before the cattle are removed from the prescribed brand inspection area to which they were transported for grazing, to another brand inspection area, a certificate of inspection is required.

• Cattle consigned to an outlet (public sale yard, buying station or slaughter facility) in a prescribed area will be inspected at the facility or outlet
• Cattle entering a feedlot (as described in the LIR) including those located within the same prescribed brand inspection area of the Province
• NOTE: It is in non compliance of the Livestock Identification Regulations to move cattle in or outside of a prescribed brand inspection area without a properly completed Livestock Manifest (Form 3)
• NOTE: Inspection when required must occur whether the cattle are branded or not. The industry term for non branded cattle is “Slick”

Livestock Consignors Responsibilities

The owner / seller or consignor of livestock must:

• Provide the area OII brand inspector with a 24 hour notice prior to a required livestock inspection
• Provide a properly completed manifest (form 3) to accompany all livestock when being transported anywhere in or outside of the province, other than within the non prescribed Lower Mainland area.
• Complete the manifest to the best of his/her knowledge and ability. It is the responsibility of the contributor, not the brand inspector, to complete the form 3 that accompanies all livestock.
• Present the completed manifest and livestock previously clipped (when brands are poorly applied or diificult to read) to the brand inspector at the time of inspection for proof of ownership accuracy beyond reasonable doubt.
• Be sure the name(s) on the manifest(s) appear the same as the name(s) the brand is registered in. If otherwise, then a properly completed bill of sale must be provided and shall serve as a means of proving ownership.
• When consigning Finance Association cattle the consignor must have the manifest made out in the name of the feeder / breeder association, whether the cattle are carrying the association brand or not. Otherwise an association release form must be provided.

Violation of any of these and other regulations could result in detention of funds.

HORSE OWNERSHIP INSPECTION (Brand Inspection)

Inspection is required per Livestock Identification Regulation for the following instances:

• When horses are consigned to a public sale in a prescribed brand inspection area, inspection will be conducted at the sale yard
• When horses are transported to a slaughter facility or feedlot or public auction sale outside of the Province of BC
• NOTE: Inspection when required must occur whether the horse( s ) are branded or not

Important Information for BC horse owners when traveling within BC, to the US or other provinces with your horse

BC Brand Inspection Suggestions and Legislated Requirements

• Horses heading south of the border should be brand inspected before departure to avoid problems in other jurisdictions (there are problems every year in some states because horses arrive from BC without brand inspection and this is contrary to the legislation in some states)

• Horses that are traveling from BC to the US via Alberta can travel on a BC Transportation Certificate which is issued by the BC Livestock Inspector at the time of inspection without any requirement that they be brand inspected in Alberta

• If the horses stop over in Alberta for a period of time they would require an Alberta inspection before preceding south

• Any horse being delivered to a saleyard in BC must be accompanied by a Livestock Manifest (Form 3) with the horses for sale being brand inspected at the saleyard in the prescribed area of BC (BC Livestock Identification Reg. Section 28)

• Any horse being shipped to a slaughterhouse or feedlot within or outside of BC must be brand inspected and travel with a BC Transportation Certificate (BC Livestock Identification Reg. Section 28.1). This applies to all horses whether branded or not.

• Horses going to an Alberta public sale (Auction) must be brand inspected before leaving BC and travel with a BC Transportation Certificate (BC Livestock Identification Reg. Section 28.1).This applies to all horses whether branded or not.

• It is highly recommended that anyone hauling horses within BC and to Alberta, other than for sale, to a feedlot or to slaughter, complete a Livestock Manifest (Form 3) fully before heading out, sign it and carry it with you. This form then becomes a legal document.

• It is also advisable to carry the registration papers on the transported horses and if you do not have registration papers, a bill of sale for the horses

• If transporting a horse raised on your own farm that is not registered nor is a bill of sale available, it would be advisable to get your veterinarian or local brand inspector to endorse some form of proof of ownership for the possession of such a horse

• For BC horses going to Alberta for weekend events and returning on the same weekend, Alberta “Livestock Inspection Services” is prepared to waive the Alberta inspection requirement providing BC requirements are met on the way out to Alberta

It should be noted that in BC, Alberta and in most of the western states violators can be fined or charges can be laid if you do not comply with the appropriate legislation.

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For further information please contact the appropriate agency below.