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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 following types: wild boar, wild hog, wild pig, feral pig, feral hog, feral pig, Old World pig, razorback, Eurasian wild boar, or Russian wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus).
  • Pigs going to game ranches or to use for breeding to supply game ranches.
  • Pigs vaccinated for pseudorabies virus (PRV).
  • Pigs exposed to or fed raw garbage.
  • Pigs that 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 the pigs are 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 below.

  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.
    • Michigan does not issue entry permits for pigs to be imported. Therefore, no permit number is required to be written on the interstate CVI.
    • A CVI is valid for 30 days from the date of animal inspection listed on the CVI.
    • Information for veterinary professionals regarding CVIs can be found on the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Health Certificate webpage.
    • Exception: Pigs going directly to slaughter may be accompanied by an Owner Shipper Statement or a sales invoice instead of an interstate CVI.
  2. Required testing or test exemption statement on the CVI: 
    • Pigs considered high-risk pigs (see definition below) must test negative for PRV and brucellosis within 30 days prior to importation. The testing information must be recorded on the interstate CVI.
    • Pigs considered low-risk pigs (see definition below) are exempt from PRV and brucellosis testing; and when this occurs, the following statement must be written on the interstate CVI: "These pigs meet the definition of low-risk pigs."
    • CVIs issued without negative PRV and brucellosis test results will not be assumed to be from low-risk pigs. The statement above must be explicitly written on the CVIs.
    • Exception: PRV and brucellosis testing are not required for pigs going directly to slaughter.

High-Risk Pigs: Pigs, including pet pigs, with management practices that allow possible exposure, directly or indirectly, to feral pigs, causing increased risk of infection with PRV and brucellosis. This includes but is not limited to pigs that are pasture-raised, free-range, and/or use other outdoor swine farming systems.

Low-Risk Pigs: Pigs, including pet pigs, continuously managed and housed in facilities and with practices that prevent exposure to high-risk or feral pigs.

  1. Official identification: Pigs must have official identification (ID), and it must be recorded on the interstate CVI.
    • Official Identification Options:
      • Metal or plastic National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) ear tag depicting the U.S. Route Shield.
      • Animal Identification Number (AIN) ear tag—may be a visual tag or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.
        • AIN ear tags applied to animals of U.S. origin must depict the U.S. Route Shield.
        • AIN ear tags applied to animals of U.S. origin on or after March 11, 2015, must have a 15-digit number that begins with 840.
      • Premises Identification Number (PIN) tag with a unique management ID number imprinted by the manufacturer and a depiction of the U.S. Route Shield.
      • 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 ID for any pigs at fairs/exhibitions in Michigan.
    • In addition, there are other official ID options allowed for following types of pigs:
      • Feeder pigs (pigs under six months of age, weighing less than 120lbs intended for feeding to be slaughtered):
        • PIN tag depicting the U.S. Route Shield. No unique management ID is needed.
        • PIN tattoo. No unique management ID number is needed.
      • Slaughter pigs (pigs being sold or moved for slaughter purposes only):
        • USDA-approved back tag.
        • PIN tag depicting the U.S. Route Shield. No unique management ID is needed.
        • PIN tattoo. No unique management ID number is needed.
        • Tattoo of at least four characters (Example: Slap tattoo applied on shoulder at auction).
      • Exceptions where no identification is needed:
        • Pigs born and raised on the same premises and transported directly to slaughter, without any commingling with animals from another source and slaughtered sequentially as a group.

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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 National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) ear tag depicting the U.S. Route Shield.
      • Animal identification number (AIN) ear tag—may be a visual tag or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.
        • AIN ear tags applied to animals of U.S. origin must depict the U.S. Route Shield.
        • AIN ear tags applied to animals of U.S. origin on or after March 11, 2015, must have a 15-digit number that begins with 840.
      • Premises Identification Number (PIN) tag with a unique management ID number imprinted by the manufacturer and a depiction of the U.S. Route Shield.
    • Ear notches and tattoos are not accepted as official ID for any pigs at fairs/exhibitions in Michigan.
    • Must meet test requirements for PRV and brucellosis. See the required testing information above.
  2. Pigs moving within the state of Michigan for exhibition:
    • Must have official ID:
      • Metal or plastic National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) ear tag depicting the U.S. Route Shield.
      • Animal Identification Number (AIN) ear tag—may be a visual tag or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.
        • AIN ear tags applied to animals of U.S. origin must depict the U.S. Route Shield.
        • AIN ear tags applied to animals of U.S. origin on or after March 11, 2015, must have a 15-digit number that begins with 840.
      • Premises Identification Number (PIN) tag with a unique management ID number imprinted by the manufacturer and a depiction of the U.S. Route Shield.
      • Ear notches and tattoos are not accepted as official ID for any pigs at fairs/exhibitions in Michigan.
  3. Contact the fair, show, or exhibition authorities for any additional requirements.
     

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Moving within Michigan (intrastate)

Pigs moving within the state of Michigan for exhibition (show, fair, demonstration, or display) must have official identification (ID). See the official ID options listed above under “Exhibition Requirements.”

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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

Multiple government agencies regulate international animal movement. Be sure to verify animal movement requirements with all responsible government agencies.

Import:

Export:

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