The requirements pertaining to importation of livestock and poultry into Vermont from another state are addressed in Rule # 98074: Rules Governing the Importation of Domestic Animals, Including Livestock and Poultry. Import Permits are required in advance of movement of all poultry and livestock species into Vermont except horses and may be obtained by calling the Animal Health Office at (802) 828-2421. Regarding exhibition permits for horses and livestock, Vermont's fair season is defined as May 1 through October 31.
For information on transporting an animal from Vermont into another state, visit Interstate Livestock. This is an intereactive website and species are still being added. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that these requirements are confirmed by calling the agricultural agency of the individual state of destination.
Livestock
The Animal Health Section of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets closely regulates the movement of livestock into and out of Vermont. Through this close oversight, Animal Health Section personnel help to prevent the introduction and spread of domestic and foreign animal diseases that could be devastating to Vermont’s livestock agricultural industry.
The interstate movement requirements that must be met are dictated by the species, age and sex of the animal, as well as the purpose for its transport into Vermont or the state of destination (slaughter, breeding, etc.). In most cases, livestock imported into Vermont must be officially identified, travel with a health certificate dated within 30 days of import, and must travel with an import permit number obtained from the Animal Health Office prior to transport. Equine animals are exempt from the identification and import permit requirements but must travel with a negative Coggins certificate and a valid health certificate.
Disease testing requirements and exemptions also exist. Prior to importing a livestock animal into Vermont, review Vermont’s import regulations to ensure you are compliant and have your veterinarian contact the Animal Health Office to obtain an import permit if applicable.
Other species-specific animal movement requirements may be viewed using the links below:
Vermont Equine Infectious Anemia Rules
Vermont Rules for Animal Transportation
Official Identification User Guide
Sheep and Goats
Use of Electronic Implantable Devices (EIDs)
Federal Animal Disease Traceability Rule Requirements for Sheep & Goats
Equine
Vermont hosts numerous equine competitive events each year that draw horses into the State from the New England region and beyond. The Rules Governing the Importation of Domestic Animals, Including Livestock and Poultry explain the general requirements that must be met in order to import horses into Vermont, which include a negative Coggins test within 12 months of importation and a health certificate completed by a licensed accredited veterinarian within 30 days of importation. The documents below provide additional information for horse owners about these importation requirements and the protocol for obtaining an Exhibition Permit from the Agency of Agriculture’s Animal Health office, which lessens the owner’s cost burden associated with the movement of competition horses into Vermont.
Equine Importation FAQ for Horse Owners
Obtaining an Equine Exhibition Permit
Federal Animal Disease Traceability Rule Requirements for Equine