Date: 8/9/2011

Title: NCBA Statement on Animal Disease Traceability Rule

WASHINGTON – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Veterinarian Elizabeth Parker issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) proposed animal disease traceability rule, to be published in the Federal Register Aug. 11, 2011.

“Cattlemen’s top priority is raising healthy cattle. As such, NCBA is supportive of an animal disease traceability program for cattle health purposes. That is why NCBA has been an industry leader working diligently with other cattle groups and USDA’s APHIS to ensure cattlemen’s concerns are addressed in a new animal disease traceability program.

“NCBA commends APHIS for its recent efforts to listen to concerns of America’s cattlemen in developing this traceability program. NCBA encourages the agency to continue working with industry leaders on this and all animal health issues. We will carefully analyze and comment on APHIS’s proposed animal disease traceability rule. NCBA will continue to actively work with like-minded industry groups, state animal health officials and APHIS throughout the entire rulemaking process to ensure the best interests of our members.”