Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 16.57 - Identification of Livestock.
16.57.010 - Definitions.

RCW 16.57.010
Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Brand" means a permanent fire brand or any artificial mark, other than an individual identification symbol, approved by the director to be used in conjunction with a brand or by itself.
(2) "Certificate of permit" means a form prescribed by and obtained from the director that is completed by the owner or a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner to show the ownership of livestock. It is used to document ownership of livestock while in transit within the state or on consignment to any public livestock market, special sale, slaughter plant or certified feed lot. It does not evidence inspection of livestock.
(3) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.
(4) "Director" means the director of the department or his or her duly authorized representative.
(5) "Horses" means horses, burros, and mules.
(6) "Individual identification certificate" means an inspection certificate that authorizes the livestock owner to transport the animal out of state multiple times within a set period of time.
(7) "Individual identification symbol" means a permanent mark placed on a horse for the purpose of individually identifying and registering the horse and which has been approved for use as such by the director.
(8) "Inspection certificate" means a certificate issued by the director or a veterinarian certified by the director documenting the ownership of an animal based on an inspection of the animal. It includes an individual identification certificate.
(9) "Livestock" includes, but is not limited to, horses, mules, cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.
(10) "Livestock inspection" or "inspection" means the examination of livestock or livestock hides for brands or any means of identifying livestock or livestock hides including the examination of documents providing evidence of ownership.
(11) "Microchipping" means the implantation of an identification microchip or similar electronic identification device to establish the identity of an individual animal:
(a) In the pipping muscle of a chick ratite or the implantation of a microchip in the tail muscle of an otherwise unidentified adult ratite;
(b) In the nuchal ligament of a horse unless otherwise specified by rule of the director; and
(c) In locations of other livestock species as specified by rule of the director when requested by an association of producers of that species of livestock.
(12) "Person" means a natural person, individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, society, and association, and every officer, agent or employee thereof. This term shall import either the singular or the plural as the case may be.
(13) "Production record brand" means a number brand which shall be used for production identification purposes only.
(14) "Ratite" means, but is not limited to, ostrich, emu, rhea, or other flightless bird used for human consumption, whether live or slaughtered.
(15) "Registering agency" means any person issuing an individual identification symbol for the purpose of individually identifying and registering a horse.
(16) "Self-inspection certificate" means a form prescribed by and obtained from the director that was completed and signed by the buyer and seller of livestock to document a change in ownership before June 10, 2010.

[ 2010 c 66 § 5; 2003 c 326 § 2; 1996 c 105 § 1; 1993 c 105 § 2; 1989 c 286 § 22; 1981 c 296 § 15; 1979 c 154 § 17; 1967 c 240 § 34; 1959 c 54 § 1.]
NOTES:

Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).


Legislative finding and purpose—1993 c 105: "The legislature finds that ratites have been raised for commercial purposes on farms in the United States for over sixty years and have been raised elsewhere for over one hundred twenty years.
In recognition that ratite farming is an agricultural pursuit, the purpose of this act is to assure that the regulatory mechanisms regarding animal health and ownership identification are in place." [ 1993 c 105 § 1.]


Severability—1989 c 286: See note following RCW 16.04.010.


Severability—1981 c 296: See note following RCW 15.08.010.


Severability—1979 c 154: See note following RCW 15.49.330.

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 16 - Animals and Livestock

Chapter 16.57 - Identification of Livestock.

16.57.010 - Definitions.

16.57.015 - Livestock identification advisory committee—Rule review—Fee setting.

16.57.020 - Livestock brands—Director is the recorder—Recording fee.

16.57.023 - Permanent renewal of brands—Heritage brands—Fees.

16.57.025 - Livestock inspection—Licensed and accredited veterinarians—Field livestock inspectors—Fees—Revocation of certification.

16.57.030 - Tattoo brands and marks not recordable.

16.57.040 - Production record brands.

16.57.050 - Use of unrecorded brand prohibited—Exception.

16.57.060 - Brands similar to governmental brands not to be recorded.

16.57.070 - Conflicting claims to brand.

16.57.080 - Renewal of recorded brands—Schedule—Fee—Failure to pay.

16.57.090 - Brand is personal property—Instruments affecting title, recording, effect—Fee—Nonliability of director for agents.

16.57.100 - Right to use brand—Brand as evidence of title.

16.57.105 - Preemptory right to use brand.

16.57.110 - Size and characteristics of brand.

16.57.120 - Removal or alteration of brand—Penalty.

16.57.130 - Similar brands not to be recorded.

16.57.140 - Certified copy of record of brand—Fee.

16.57.150 - Brand book—Contents—Costs.

16.57.153 - Administration of brands—Rules.

16.57.160 - Cattle or horses—Rules—Mandatory inspection points—Self-inspection certificates—Dairy cattle identification tags—Fees.

16.57.165 - Agreements with others to perform livestock inspection.

16.57.170 - Inspection of livestock, hides, records.

16.57.180 - Search warrants.

16.57.200 - Duty of owner or agent—Livestock inspection.

16.57.210 - Arrest without warrant.

16.57.220 - Livestock inspection—Fee schedule—Certificates.

16.57.223 - Payment of inspection fee—Due at inspection—Lien—Late fee.

16.57.230 - Charges for livestock inspection—Actual inspection required.

16.57.240 - Certificates of permit, inspection, self-inspection.

16.57.243 - Moving or transporting cattle—Certificate or proof of ownership must accompany—Exceptions.

16.57.245 - Authority to stop vehicles carrying cattle or horses.

16.57.260 - Removal of cattle or horses from state—Inspection certificate required.

16.57.267 - Failure to present animal for inspection.

16.57.270 - Unlawful to refuse assistance in establishing identity and ownership of livestock.

16.57.275 - Transporting cattle carcass or primal part—Certificate of permit required.

16.57.277 - Custom slaughter beef tags—Fee—Rules.

16.57.280 - Possession of cattle or horse marked with another's brand—Penalty.

16.57.290 - Impounding cattle and horses—No certificate or proof of ownership when offered for sale—Disposition.

16.57.300 - Proceeds from sale of impounded cattle and horses—Paid to director.

16.57.310 - Notice of sale—Claim on proceeds.

16.57.320 - Disposition of proceeds of sale when no proof of ownership—Penalty for accepting proceeds after sale, barter, trade.

16.57.330 - Disposition of proceeds of sale—No claim made—No proof of ownership provided.

16.57.340 - Reciprocal agreements—When livestock from another state an estray, sale.

16.57.350 - Rules—Enforcement of chapter.

16.57.353 - Rules—Compliance with federal requirements.

16.57.360 - Civil infractions—Time and mileage fee.

16.57.370 - Disposition of fees.

16.57.400 - Horse and cattle identification—Inspection when consigned for sale.

16.57.405 - Microchip in a horse—Removal with intent to defraud—Gross misdemeanor.

16.57.407 - Microchip in a horse—Authority to investigate removal.

16.57.410 - Horses—Registering agencies—Permit required—Fee—Records—Identification symbol inspections—Rules.

16.57.420 - Ratite identification.

16.57.430 - Replacement copies of brand inspection documents—Rules—Fees.

16.57.440 - Unlawful transport or delivery of cattle or horses.

16.57.450 - Electronic cattle transaction reporting system—License—Fee—Report to the legislature—Adoption of rules.

16.57.460 - Livestock inspection program report.

16.57.902 - Effective dates—2003 c 326.