Swine Movement Requirements

Intrastate Movement (Movement Within Florida)

Swine for Exhibition

Florida-origin swine for exhibition must be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI), also known as a health certificate, dated not more than 90 days before exhibition.

It is recommended that exhibitors have a biosecurity plan in place, and breeding swine presented for exhibition must be maintained in isolation between exhibitions or move directly between exhibitions. Breeding swine returning to the farm from exhibitions must be isolated from other swine for at least 30 days before being returned to the herd.

Testing requirements for breeding swine presented for exhibition:

• Brucellosis
  • Swine 6 months of age or older must be negative to an official test for brucellosis within 90 days prior to exhibition, or
  • Originate from a Validated Brucellosis-Free Swine Herd (the Validated Brucellosis-Free Herd number and date of the last certification test must be written on the OCVI), or
  • Originate from a commercial production swine herd. A commercial production swine herd is defined as a swine herd that is tested annually for brucellosis and found to be negative. These herds must be continuously managed with adequate facilities and biosecurity practices to prevent exposure to any transitional or feral swine.
• Pseudorabies
  • Swine 6 months of age or older must be negative to an official test for pseudorabies within 90 days prior to exhibition, or
  • Originate from a Qualified Pseudorabies-Negative Herd (the Qualified Pseudorabies-Negative Herd number and date of last certification test must be written on the OCVI), or
  • Originate from a commercial production swine herd. A commercial production swine herd is defined as a swine herd that is tested annually for pseudorabies and found to be negative. These herds must be continuously managed with adequate facilities and biosecurity practices to prevent exposure to any transitional or feral swine. Herd number and date of last certification test must be written on the OVCI.

Swine for exhibition as “market class swine” are exempt from the OCVI and test requirements provided that all swine in the class go directly to slaughter at a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS)-approved facility following the exhibition.

Movement Other Than Exhibition

According to Section 534.081, Florida Statutes, Florida-origin swine moving intrastate for reasons other than exhibition must be accompanied by proof of ownership, such as an owner-shipper statement, which must include:

• The name and address of the sender,
• The name and address of the buyer,
• The physical address of the point of origin,
• The physical address of the point of destination,
• The number of animals,
• A description of the animals, and
• Official individual identification.

Florida-origin swine moving intrastate are exempt from the OCVI and test requirements.

Feral Swine Movement

Individuals trapping feral swine must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as a Feral Swine Dealer (FSD). The registered FSD will receive an identification card that must be carried on their person when moving feral swine. A Feral Swine Dealer Card can be obtained by contacting the State Veterinarian's Office at (850) 410-0900 or completing the online application.

All captured feral swine must be moved to one of the following approved locations:

• A recognized USDA FSIS slaughtering establishment,
• A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-approved game reserve, or
• An approved feral swine holding facility licensed by FDACS. To hold feral swine on private property, the premises must be registered with FDACS as an Approved Feral Swine Holding Facility and must meet certain requirements. 

Feral swine moved to any other locations must be isolated from all other swine and test negative for pseudorabies and brucellosis on two consecutive tests conducted at least 60 days apart.

Interstate Movement (Movement Between States)

Importing Swine Into Florida

If you are importing swine into Florida from another state (otherwise known as interstate movement), there are certain rules that apply. Chapter 5C-3, Florida Administrative Code, states all requirements for the importation of animals into Florida.

Entry Requirements

Prior Permission Number

If you are bringing swine into Florida for any reason, you must get a prior permission number from the State Veterinarian's Office before you travel. If you do not have a prior permission number, you may be denied entry into the state with your animals.

The prior permission number can be obtained by filling out our online application or by calling our office at (850) 410-0900 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You must have the following information available:   

• Veterinarian information (certificate of veterinary inspection, testing dates or certification number),
• Consignor information (Where the animals are coming from),
• Consignee information (Where the animals are going) and
• Animal information (number, type).  

Remember, the prior permission number must be written on your OCVI or owner-shipper statement.

For accredited veterinarians issuing OCVIs for animals that require an entry permit, please  read this memo [ 176.6 kB ] .

Official USDA Individual Identification

For interstate movement, all swine must be individually identified with official identification unless the swine are kept as a group. The requirements for group shipment of swine are explained in 9 CFR 71.19 — Identification of Swine in Interstate Commerce.

Swine must be inspected by an accredited veterinarian who will issue an OCVI stating that the animals are free from infectious diseases and including the prior permission number.

Swine over 6 months of age must test negative for brucellosis and pseudorabies within 30 days or originate directly from a Validated Brucellosis-Free Herd and from a Qualified Pseudorabies-Negative Herd. The Validated and Qualified Herd numbers and the dates of the last certification tests within the past 12 months must be written on the OCVI.

Transitional Swine Movement

Transitional swine imported (moved into Florida) must meet the requirements above. Transitional swine exported (moved from Florida to another state) for purposes other than immediate slaughter must be tested and found negative for pseudorabies and brucellosis within 30 days before movement and must be segregated from other swine between the time of testing and movement out of Florida.

Feral Swine Movement

Feral swine cannot be brought into Florida for any reason unless they have an OCVI and a prior permission number and have tested negative twice, at least 60 days apart, for swine brucellosis and the pseudorabies virus.

Swine Consigned Directly to a USDA FSIS Slaughter Establishment

The shipment must be consigned directly to a recognized USDA FSIS slaughter establishment.

An owner-shipper statement must be signed by the owner or agent and provide the following information:

• Prior permission number,
• The name and physical address of the consignor (person delivering the animals),
• The name and physical address of the consignee (person receiving the animals),
• The point of origin (premises where the animals originate),
• The point of destination (premises where the animals are being shipped),
• The number of animals and a description of the animals sufficient to identify them for any and all purposes (include age).

An OCVI and a negative test for swine brucellosis and pseudorabies virus are not required to enter the state.