Okla. Stat. tit. 2, § 2-4-20: Animal Identification Program

A. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

shall be the official animal identification agency of the state and

shall be the official agency of the state in any dealings between

this state and the United States Department of Agriculture, any

other federal agency, or any agency or person of this or another

state on matters pertaining to animal identification.

B. It is the intent of the Oklahoma State Legislature to direct

and authorize the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and

Forestry to develop, implement, and administer an Oklahoma Animal

Identification Program that achieves the following goals:

1. Enhance disease preparedness by rapidly identifying animals

exposed to disease, thus allowing quick detection, containment, and

elimination of disease threats;

2. Promote continued confidence in animal products and to

protect the health status of Oklahoma’s herds and flocks;

3. Identify infected and exposed premises, animals, and groups

of animals;

4. Develop a comprehensive infrastructure that utilizes state-

of-the-art national and international standards with the best

available and practical technologies for the collection and

recording of livestock and food animal movements; and

5. Be dynamic and flexible, and incorporate new and proven

technologies as they become available.

C. The Department shall be authorized to promulgate rules for

the implementation and administration of the Oklahoma Animal

Identification Program, if one of the following occurs:

1. The United States Department of Agriculture issues proposed

or final rules or requirements for the implementation of a national

animal identification or premises registration program;

2. The United States Congress enacts requirements for a

national animal identification or premises registration system; or

3. Another state establishes requirements for animal

identification or premises registration affecting the importation of

livestock from Oklahoma.

D. Any rules promulgated by the Department pursuant to this

section that may be reasonably necessary to implement the Oklahoma

Animal Identification Program may include the following:

1. Premises identification;

2. Individual animal identification;

3. Group and lot animal identification;

4. Specifications and standards for the identification

technologies used to track and trace animal movements;

5. Record keeping; and

6. Protecting and improving the health of Oklahoma livestock

and food animals.

E. The Department may charge fees; however, the fees shall be

limited to the actual costs of the Department for the implementation

and administration of the Oklahoma Animal Identification Program.

F. Pursuant to this section and rules promulgated pursuant

thereto, any data or records provided to the Department by persons

regarding premises or animal identification, including the name and

address of the provider, shall be kept confidential except in the

following circumstances:

1. Federal law requires the information for a National Animal

Identification program;

2. The Department deems release of confidential information to

other state and federal agencies is necessary for disease control

and disease traceback;

3. The information is needed to assist law enforcement

officials in livestock recovery and theft investigations; and

4. The Department may release information as needed to assist

in criminal investigations or tracebacks concerning violations of

state or federal pharmacy acts and drug residues.

G. In the event that information regarding premises or animal

identification is provided to other individuals or entities, the

information shall be specific and not cumulative.

H. A court shall quash any subpoena commanding the disclosure

of confidential information or records of the Department.