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Pigs

Pigs

General Information

The following pigs are not allowed to be imported into Michigan:

  • Feral pigs (any pig living any part of its life as free-roaming i.e. not enclosed by fencing).
  • Any pigs, even if the pigs have never been free-roaming, that are of the type wild boar, wild hog, wild pig, feral pig, feral hog, feral pig, Old world pig, razorback, Eurasian wild boar, Russian wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus).
  • Pigs going to game ranches or to use for breeding to supply game ranches.
  • Pigs vaccinated for Pseudorabies (PRV).
  • Pigs that have tested positive for PRV or Brucellosis or originate from a herd quarantined for PRV or Brucellosis.
  • Pigs from an auction or collection facility where slaughter pigs are handled, unless going direct to slaughter.

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Coming into Michigan from Another State (import)

Note: if you are planning to exhibit an animal of this type, there may be additional rules. View exhibition rules here.

  1. Certificate of veterinary inspection: pigs must have an official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) filled out by a United States Department of Agriculture accredited veterinarian in the animal's state of origin.
    • Please note that Michigan does not issue entry permits for pigs to be imported.  Therefore, no permit number is required to be written on the interstate certificate of veterinary inspection.

    Exception: Pigs going directly to slaughter or through a livestock auction market and then directly to slaughter may be accompanied by an Owner Shipper Statement or a sales invoice instead of an interstate CVI.

    When pigs are imported from a herd under an official Herd Health Maintenance Plan, one of the following statements must appear on the interstate CVI:

    "This herd is inspected as part of a regular health maintenance program and all animals listed have been examined within the last 30 days." OR "This herd is inspected as part of a regular health maintenance program. The sow herd which produced these weaned pigs was inspected; however, the weaned pigs were not inspected."

  2. Required testing: Pigs that are considered high-risk pigs (see definitions below) must test negative for Pseudorabies (PRV) and Brucellosis within 30 days prior to importation. The testing information must be recorded on the interstate CVI.

    Exception: PRV and Brucellosis testing is not required for pigs going directly to slaughter.

    High-Risk Pigs:

    • Pigs located in feral swine areas with management practices that allow possible exposure, directly or indirectly to feral pigs.
    • Pet pigs that live indoors with their owners, located in feral pig areas that are allowed outdoors unattended, allowing for possible exposure, directly or indirectly to feral pigs.

    Low-Risk Pigs:

    • Pigs continuously managed and housed in facilities and with practices that prevent exposure to high-risk or feral pigs.
    • Pet pigs that live indoors with their owners, these pet pigs are not located in feral pig areas and have a very low probability of exposure to feral pigs.

    There are no PRV or Brucellosis testing required for pigs meeting the definition of low-risk pigs.

    • The following statement must be written on the interstate CVI: "These pigs meet the definition of low-risk pig."
  3. Official identification: Pigs must have an official identification (ID) and it must be recorded on the interstate CVI.

Official Identification Options:

  • Metal or plastic NUES ear tag.
  • Animal identification number (AIN) 840 ear tag: with or without Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).
  • Ear tag with the 7-character federal premises identification number (PIN) or 6 to 8-character state location identification number (LID) of the premises of where the pigs originated, and a unique management ID number imprinted by the manufacturer.
  • Tattoo or Ear Notch: only for pigs registered with a recognized breed registry. The pig(s) must be accompanied with the breed registration papers. Ear notches and tattoos are not accepted as official identification for any pigs at fairs/exhibitions in Michigan.

In addition, there are other official identification options allowed for following types of pigs:

  1. Feeder pigs (pigs under six months of age, weighing less than 120lbs intended for feeding to be slaughtered):
    • Ear tag or tattoo with the 7-character federal premises identification number (PIN) or 6 to 8-character state location identification number (LID) of the premises of where the pigs originated. No unique management ID number is needed.
  2. Slaughter pigs (pigs being sold or moved for slaughter purposes only):
    • USDA back tag.
    • Ear tag or tattoo with the 7-character federal premises identification number (PIN) or 6 to 8-character state location identification number (LID) of the premises of where the pigs originated.No unique management ID number is needed.
    • Tattoo of at least four characters (example: slap tattoo applied on shoulder at auction).
  3. Pet pigs:
    • When the pig's size does not permit an ear tag or when they are not part of a breed registry the pig may be identified with a microchip.

    Exceptions where no identification is needed:

    1. Pigs moved as part of a state-federal approved pig production system under 9CFR 71.19 (g).
    2. Pigs born and raised on the same premises and transported directly to slaughter, without any commingling with animals from another source

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Exhibition (Show, fair, demonstration or display) Requirements

  1. Pigs being imported from out-of-state for exhibition:
    • A completed interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) meeting requirement stated above under interstate import requirements.
    • Must have official identification (ID):
      • Metal or plastic NUES ear tag.
      • Animal identification number (AIN) 840 ear tag: with or without Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).
      • Ear tag with the 7-character federal premises identification number (PIN) or 6 to 8-character state location identification number (LID) of the premises of where the pigs originated, and a unique management ID number imprinted by the manufacturer.
    • Must meet test requirements for PRV and Brucellosis (see required testing information above, under import requirements).
  2. Pigs moving within the state of Michigan for exhibition:
    • Must have official identification (ID):
      • Metal or plastic NUES ear tag.
      • Animal identification number (AIN) 840 ear tag: with or without Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).
      • Ear tag with the 7-character federal premises identification number (PIN) or 6 to 8-character state location identification number (LID) of the premises of where the pigs originated, and a unique management ID number imprinted by the manufacturer.
  3. Contact the fair, show or exhibition authorities for any additional requirements.

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Moving within Michigan (intrastate)

Note: if you are planning to exhibit an animal of this type, there may be additional rules. View exhibition rules here.

  1. Pigs moving within the state of Michigan for Exhibition (show, fair, demonstration or display) must have official identification (ID) (see Official ID Options listed above under exhibition requirements)
  2. Pigs unloaded at a Michigan livestock auction market, buying station, or collection point must be sold for immediate slaughter and must be identified in one of the following ways:
  • USDA-approved backtag.
  • 840 ear tag—with or without Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).
  • Metal or plastic NUES ear tag.
  • Ear tag with the premises identification number (PIN) of where the pigs originated imprinted by the manufacturer—with or without a unique management ID number.
  • Tattoo or ear notch: only for pigs registered with a recognized breed registry. The pig(s) must be accompanied with the breed registration papers.
  • Tattoo of at least four characters (example: slap tattoo applied on shoulder at auction).

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Leaving Michigan to go to Another State (export)

Please contact the state of destination for their requirements. 

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International Movement

Please contact the United States Department of Agriculture at 517-337-4700.

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