Interstate Movement of Cervids

Regulations for Interstate Movement of Elk, Elk-Hybrids, Mule Deer, White-Tailed Deer and Related Species into Missouri

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
All captive cervids entering Missouri must be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The certificate must be issued by an accredited veterinarian stating that the animal(s) listed meets the testing, vaccination, treatment and health requirements for the state of Missouri. The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is valid for thirty (30) days.

Must be in compliance with Cervidae Uniform Methods and Rules for Brucellosis.
All sexually intact animals six (6) months of age or older, not under quarantine and not affected with brucellosis, must test negative for brucellosis within thirty (30) days prior to movement, except:

• Brucellosis-free herd – captive cervids originating from certified brucellosis-free herds may enter on herd status without additional testing provided the certified herd number and current test date is shown on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
• Brucellosis-monitored herd – must test negative for brucellosis within ninety (90) days prior to interstate movement provided current test date is shown on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

Must be in compliance with Cervidae Uniform Methods and Rules for Tuberculosis.
Animals not in a status herd - Must have two (2) negative tuberculosis tests, not less than ninety (90) days apart, using the single cervical method. The second test must be within (90) days prior to movement. Both negative test dates must be listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Animals must have been isolated from other captive cervids during the testing period.

Animals from status herds:

• Accredited herd – may enter on herd status without additional testing provided the accredited herd number and current test date is shown on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
• Monitored or Qualified tuberculosis herd must have one negative tuberculosis test, using the single cervical method, within ninety (90) days of movement. Herd number and current test date must be shown on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. If less than twelve (12) months of age and were born in qualified or monitored herds, animal may be moved without further tuberculosis testing, provided they are accompanied by a certificate stating animal originated from such herds and have not been exposed to captive cervids from a lower status.

Must meet requirements regarding participation in a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Program.
Elk, elk-hybrids, red deer, roe deer, sika deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and moose entering Missouri must have participated in a state sponsored CWD surveillance program since 2002. Other captive cervids, including but not limited to reindeer, muntjac and fallow deer must have participated in a surveillance program recognized by the state of origin prior to entering Missouri.

Entry permit for cervids.
Before a permit number is issued, the Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) must be faxed to (573) 751-6919. Entry permits are valid for 15 days and can be obtained by the issuing veterinarian by contacting the Division of Animal Health (573) 751-4359. The CVI is checked to verify that the above regulations have been met for movement into Missouri. The animals listed on the CVI must:

• have participated in a state sponsored CWD surveillance program since 2002;
• have not been in an endemic area in the last five (5) years nor are they coming from a CWD endemic area;
• be in compliance with Cervidae Uniform Methods and Rules for Brucellosis and Tuberculosis and;
• be individually identified by an official ear tag on the CVI.