Meetings to introduce animal identification programWith the 2003 discovery of BSE in the United States a recent BSE detection in Canada and reports of animal disease outbreaks in other countries raising public concerns, livestock producers are being encouraged to participate in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply. To help farmers prepare for NAIS, the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) has partnered with USDA’s Risk Management Agency to administer several local informational meetings. OFBF is an OLC member. "Producers need to develop a full and complete understanding of how NAIS and its components will benefit their individual operation and industry," said David White, OLC executive director. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is overseeing the implementation of NAIS in Ohio. The meetings will connect producers with ODA representatives to learn how NAIS will work and allow them to register their premises for identification. "The ultimate goal is to create in the U.S. the capability to identify all animals and premises that had direct contact with a foreign animal disease within 48 hours of discovery," White said. The system’s three primary components are premises identification, animal identification and the tracking of animal movements through the market chain. The latter two are anticipated to begin by the end of this year or early 2006. A national animal identification program has been in the works for four years, and in April of 2004, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman revealed the framework for implementing NAIS. "While many livestock species in the United States can be identified through a variety of systems, a verifiable system of national animal identification will enhance our efforts to respond to intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively," Veneman said. The information collected through NAIS only will be made available to state and federal health officials as needed, and the costs of the program are intended to be shared by the federal government and industry stakeholders. Although it will initially be a voluntary program, most believe that livestock marketing systems will lead toward full participation in NAIS. "It is very likely that the marketplace will very much require and dictate that producers participate in animal identification programs," White said. "Therefore, producers need to be educated about premise, individual and group livestock identification systems and other aspects of NAIS." In addition to preventing disease outbreaks, NAIS also could offer protection to livestock producers who apply good management practices through the ability to trace when and where health problems originated. According to White, the infrastructure provided by NAIS is needed in order to have proper trace-back capabilities. While some meetings already have been held, White stresses the importance for producers to make the trip to an upcoming session to learn more about animal identification programs. "Participation in such programs will provide valuable benefits toward managing and addressing production, marketing and profitability," he said. Upcoming meetings are posted in the calendar section of www.OhioLivestock.org Upcoming Meetings March 3, 7 p.m., Wallace Lodge, Sally Buffalo Park, Cadiz March 8, 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, Kalida March 16, 10 a.m., Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Carrollton March 23, 7 p.m., Morrow County Community Services Building, Mt. Gilead March 24, 1 p.m., Williamsfield March 24, 7 p.m., OSU Extension/Ashtabula County office, Jefferson March 30, 2005 (daytime) -- Holmes County area site & time TBA | |