CONTACT:    
Karen Batra, (202) 347-0228, kbatra@beef.org

Tanya Augustson, (202) 347-0228, taugustson@beef.org

National ID Program for Livestock on Track, Cattlemen Say

Continued Cooperation Between Industry and Government Will Be Crucial

Washington, D.C. (September 28, 2005) – A successful National Animal Identification System (NAIS) must be coordinated within the private sector, say livestock producers.  But cooperation between government and industry will be crucial.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has led the effort to implement an industry-led, multi-species, national ID program for livestock in the United States.

Rick Stott, Idaho cattle producer and member of NCBA’s Animal ID Commission gave members of the House Ag Subcommittee on Horticulture and Livestock an update today on development of a privately-coordinated database to support the NAIS.  

Stott says current efforts are focused on developing a national database implementation strategy and assembling an independent, multi-species, non-profit consortium to administer the program. “The largest impact, both good and bad, will be borne by the industry. Therefore, the industry should be responsible for the system,” says Stott.  “With representation from all sectors of the livestock industry, the consortium will have ultimate oversight responsibility. “

NCBA says the private-sector system will minimize the barriers of compliance, is more likely to mirror the natural flow of commerce, will enlist the most efficient technology available and evolve as the industry evolves, while providing animal health authorities with the information they require in a timely manner.  “As a leader in the cattle industry,” says Stott, “NCBA believes it has the responsibility to lead and support this effort.”

Stott briefed the committee on the three phases of implementing the NAIS. 

1.      Development of premises systems:  The premises ID phase of the NAIS is now being implemented by USDA and each state’s animal health department and acts as the foundation for the entire NAIS. 

2.      Development of an identification database:  This is the backbone to the entire NAIS and the focus of NCBA’s efforts. 

3.      Implementation of the NAIS throughout the industry:  The most difficult and expensive phase of the process, this will require a coordinated effort between all segments of the industry, USDA, state governments, and service providers. 

On August 30, 2005, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced USDA’s support for development of a public/private partnership that will enable the private sector to maintain animal movement data as part of the NAIS. NCBA says it hopes to begin beta-testing the program later in 2005.

Find more information on NCBA’s efforts to implement a national animal identification system at: http://www.beefusa.org/AnimalID.aspx.

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