Following a listening tour in 15 cities across the country and an open public comment period on the USDA’s National Animal Identification System (NAIS), Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says that, “It is apparent that a new strategy for animal disease traceability is need.”
The plan that was announced this morning before the National Association of State Departments on Agriculture (NASDA) will apply only to animals that move in interstate commerce and not those moved within a state. It will be led and administered by the States and Tribal Nations. The USDA’s role will only be to provide support. They say that they will also encourage the use of lower-cost technology.
Cost has been a big aspect of NAIS since its inception. According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), more than $120 million was sped on the old NAIS system. This money will reportedly not go to waste and the USDA contends that many elements of the NAIS system that had been constructed can be used in the new animal disease traceability framework.
A big hesitance from producers on the original NAIS had been the issue of confidentiality. The USDA says that they fully understand this concern and that producer information gathered is exempt from provisions of the Freedom of Information act. The USDA added that they also intend to continue to work with stakeholders and Congress to thoroughly consider this issue.
The revised NAIS will not be mandatory in that all producers need to participate. What the USDA says is certain is that animal disease traceability will be required for animals moving in interstate commerce.
For more on the new plans, visit the USDA’s traceability website or read the question and answer factsheet.
© Northern Ag Network 2010
Posted by Haylie Shipp