FAQ for SAHOs on Decisions Rulesheet

GVL values compliant animal health documentation as much as you do, and so over the past year, we have been hard at work rebuilding the GVL SmartEngine® from the ground up. Users are already seeing more logical questions and clearer guidance for what your state requires for dogs, cats, and horses. Starting in early August, bovine rules will be part of the new system.

We've taken great pains to ensure that your rules are represented correctly, but should you find mistakes or a rule that just needs tweaking, please let us know. We will make it a top priority to update it.

Soon, you will be able to get a copy of the rules in the system through a download link. The rules will be in a spreadsheet format and may take a little bit of time to process, so be sure to check out the FAQs, which explain why some requirements may seem incomplete (but actually are). But for now, here’s a quick overview to answer the most basic questions.

What will stay the same?

  • Rules will be available to all users through AnimalsRegs.com
  • CVIs will be verified before signing

What will change?

  • The GVL SmartEngine® rules editor in the SAHO login will be retired
  • Rules will be better targeted (for the class of cattle, for example)
  • SAHOs will be able to export/review rules to check for accuracy
  • When regulations change, you’ll contact GVL to request updates

Stay tuned for more updates!

Import requirements have been compiled over the past 18 months from state regulations and websites. It’s possible these requirements have since changed. Additionally, some regulatory language can be ambiguous, and while we’ve made every effort to accurately reflect the actual requirements, we apologize for any inaccuracies. Please send any necessary corrections to gvlsupport@globalvetlink.com.

A rule can be bypassed if the user provides a specific answer to a qualifying question. For instance, if tuberculosis testing is required on bovines from a TB modified accredited zone, the rule is bypassed if the user answers NO to a question of whether the animals originate from an MAZ. Likewise, an equine infectious anemia test requirement may be bypassed for foals that are 6 months of age and younger if the user answers YES to a qualifying question about whether the foal is accompanied by its dam.

Users are presented options for remarks that provide details about the shipment that help the state animal health official gain confidence that the import meets requirements. As an example, in the HPAI dairy cattle testing rule, the user can add the following remarks: “Animals are lactating, and test results are negative, and the lab accession number is on the CVI.”, or “Animals are not lactating.” If an HPAI test is not included with the CVI, the second remark is helpful to ascertain that the testing requirement is not being ignored, but rather that the animals are not test-eligible.

Comments are displayed to all users if the imported animals are covered by a rule based on state of origin, species, gender, purpose of movement, or age. Comments provide additional information or instructions to the user to help them better understand import requirements. 

These animals are already subject to federally mandated ID requirements and are covered by rules that apply to all origins and destinations. To avoid redundant ID requirements for a single shipment, these bovine categories are excluded from additional state-specific regulations.

Sexually intact beef cattle 18 months of age and older must be identified according to federal regulations, so these older cattle may seem to be exempted from a requirement. However, older cattle are covered by a separate rule which allows veterinarians to see fewer repeated compliance notifications.

Federal regulations stipulate that all cattle over 60 days old originating from a Modified Accredited Zone, such as Michigan, must undergo TB testing. This requirement is covered by a single federal rule that exclusively applies to Michigan-origin bovines destined for any location. Furthermore, certain states offer TB testing exemptions (e.g., for spayed heifers and steers) that do not apply to animals from a Modified Accredited Zone.

Some import regulations reference state disease statuses that are no longer applicable. For instance, pseudorabies testing requirements are excluded if they pertain to state status levels I, II, III, or IV, as all states have achieved Level V (Free) status. Similarly, for brucellosis state status, rules applying to non-brucellosis-free states are omitted, though requirements specifically for the Greater Yellowstone Area have been included.

If dairy cattle are already required to be tuberculosis tested regardless of the purpose, then dairy cattle were omitted from the exhibition requirement to prevent a veterinarian from seeing the same requirement twice for a CVI on dairy cattle moving to an exhibition or show.

Specific exemptions exist under 9 CFR for movements related to medical treatment, which waive certain requirements such as Tuberculosis testing or official identification. Additionally, various exceptions apply to slaughter cattle.

Federal HPAI testing requirements apply to lactating dairy cattle, regardless of age. However, to avoid unnecessary prompts for veterinarians, GVL’s HPAI rule is configured to trigger for female dairy cattle over 18 months old, as animals younger than this are highly unlikely to be lactating. Contact GVL if you require state-specific adjustments to this rule.

Rules for intrastate movement are not presented to the user if they issue a health certificate for movement within the state.