Changes to Washington State's Equine Interstate Travel Rules

The following changes go into effect on January 30, 2015

The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Program would like to make all horse owners aware of recent import regulation changes that will become effective January 30, 2015.

Revised Code of Washington: 16.36
Washington Administrative Code: 16-54

96 Hour Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Exemption

The biggest change that horse owners need to be aware of is the 96 hour Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) exemption is being removed for horses entering Washington State. The exemption allowed out of state horses to enter Washington State for no more than 96 hours without a CVI.

Reasons supporting this amendment:

 There is no reciprocity with our neighboring states. Washington horse owners are required to obtain a CVI to enter our neighboring states; however, the exemption allowed for out of state horses to enter Washington without a CVI. This posed a problem when horse owner’s returned to Washington from an out of state event, as it was essentially an illegal entry.

 An increased effort to protect our Washington equine industry. Taking measures to protect Washington horses from the threat of Equine Herpes infection is very important. The neurological form of this disease has become a significant issue in the show and event circuit since this rule was adopted. By removing the exemption and requiring a CVI we can take a major step forward to ensure that horses entering Washington State are healthy.

One option for horse owners traveling to the western states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico is the Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Movement Permit (Horse Passport). The horse passport is good for an entire show/event season and is recognized by many of our neighboring states. A couple of important notes when using the horse passport, Montana requires a lifetime brand inspection and an itinerary must be completed and returned at the end of the show/event season.

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) Testing

We no longer require Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) testing on intact male horses entering Washington State. We still require an entry permit on semen imported into Washington State and an entry permit on a known EVA positive stallion.

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

We have added an EIA test exemption for Idaho horses entering Washington. The regulation now exempts the EIA test requirement for horses from Oregon and Idaho entering Washington.

The mission of the Animal Health Program is to protect and enhance animal health and animal well being, promote the economic vitality of the livestock industry by minimizing exposure to animal diseases, and safeguarding the citizens of Washington State by identifying and limiting the exposure to zoonotic diseases (transfer from animal to human).

The State Veterinarian has the authority to impose emergency regulations in the face of an outbreak of disease if there is determined to be a threat to the resident animals in the State of Washington.

Compliance with state import requirements is vital for the maintenance of the health of Washington State’s equine population.
Please visit the Animal Health website at www.agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/ for import requirements, disease information, important resources, and contact information.