Update on National Animal ID

On February 5, 2010, USDA announced a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States.

The framework will provide the basic tenets of an improved animal disease traceability capability in the United States. USDA’s efforts will:

• Only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce;
• Be administered by the States and Tribal Nations to provide more flexibility;
• Encourage the use of lower-cost technology; and
• Be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.

USDA is committed to working in partnership with states, tribal nations, and industry in the coming months to address many of the details of this framework and is establishing a Secretary's Advisory Committee on Animal Health to address specific issues, such as confidentiality and liability.

The new framework "replaces" the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that many producers and organizations opposed.

Sheep and goats are already required to have official scrapie identification (usually ear tags) if they enter commerce or leave their farm of origin (unless they are under 18 months of age and taken directly to slaughter).

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