Use of paper Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) require accredited veterinarians to order, store, and track an inventory of these official documents. eCVIs are replacing paper. A significant amount of time is spent transmitting and processing information from each paper CVI. Out of 34 states surveyed in 2017, more than half charge a fee ($0.12 – $7 per certificate) to supply and process the paper forms.
eCVIs meet the State of Minnesota’s paperless goals, increase efficiency and decrease transcription errors during processing. Accredited veterinarians have several eCVI options (outlined below). After one is issued, the completed form can be printed for airline travel and other animal movement scenarios, and/or emailed to the consignor/consignee/carrier of the animals. A copy is also emailed or digitally available to the state of origin and destination. Those eCVIs digitally transmitted are available near real-time upon issuance to animal health officials. Transition to these digital documents improves the Board’s Animal Disease Traceability Program and helps meet its mission of protecting animal health.
Some states waive requirements for import permits when eCVIs are used to move livestock interstate. Please check with the state of destination to see whether this applies in your situation. Effective April 18, 2018, for cattle imported into Minnesota that previously have required an import permit, this requirement is now waived for cattle documented on an electronically issued Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that is available to the Board in the original electronic format within 24 hours of issuance and complies with Minnesota Administrative Rule 1721.0040.