The Agriculture Department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has authorized $11.64 million in initial funding for a livestock identification system.
“A national animal identification (ID) program will better equip the government and industry with the means necessary to quickly control a variety of animal disease outbreaks and reduce the economic impacts on the market,” says Ron DeHaven, APHIS administrator.
In April, more than $18 million was transferred from USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to begin implementing a national ID system. Of this total, about $11 million will be provided for premises ID.
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) supports a funding level of $53 million for a national livestock ID system focusing on:
A national premises ID system;
A national data respository; and
Species-specific animal ID validation projects.
USDA has begun holding listening sessions to discuss development, structure and implementation of a national ID program. For information on sessions, go to www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/nais/nais.html.