INFORMATION................

All Horse Owners should be aware of new Illinois Department of

Agriculture regulations affecting the transport of horses into Illinois.  Although the Coggins test and health certificate were previously required, the entry permit is a new requirement.  This will especially affect individuals that host equine events in Illinois, and they should be aware of this requirement in order to communicate with

customers that will be entering Illinois from out of state.

Following are the particulars:

Illinois Entry Requirements for Equines - Effective February 1, 2004 All equines entering Illinois for any reason other than slaughter must be accompanied by a negative test for EIA conducted within a year if the

animal is more than one year of age, certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of entry, and an entry permit issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture

Entry permits are available by calling the Illinois Department of  Agriculture, 217/782-4944 and are issued 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR OBTAINING AN ENTRY PERMIT FROM THE ILLINOIS

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following information will be required for the entry permit:

1. Name and mailing address of owner of the animal

2. Date of the EIA test

3. Location where the animal is going

4. Permit numbers are also available online at www.agr.state.il.us.

A password to access the permit program is required and will be issued

to

veterinarians by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of

Animal Health, 217/782-4944 weekdays, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For equine only: The entry permit is good for 30 days (the life of the health certificate). It is requested that if the health certificate is used for multiple entries (i.e. trail rides or shows on several weekends) that all events during the 30 day period be included on the health

certificate. If an event is not listed on the health certificate, the owner is asked to call the Department, provide the permit number and provide the location of the additional event(s).

For equine sales: A blanket permit is available for out-of-state equine sales and auctions. For more information, please call the Bureau of Animal Health, 217/782-4944.

In accordance with the Illinois Diseased Animals Act (510 ILCS 50/1 and the regulations pertaining thereto 8 Ill. Adm. Code 85), violators are guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than

$1,000.

Kevin H. Kline, PhD

Professor of Animal Sciences

University of Illinois

388 ASL, MC-630

1207 W. Gregory Drive

Urbana, IL 61801

217-333-1784  phone

217-333-8286  fax

http://traill.outreach.uiuc.edu/horsenet/

>********************************************************

> >Kristin Huls

> >Program Coordinator

> >Agriculture, Horticulture & Natural Resources

> >University of Illinois Extension

> >Hancock & McDonough Counties

> >khuls@uiuc.edu