USDA Reserves '840' as Animal ID Prefix Code

US - The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reserving the use of animal identification numbers with the 840 prefix to only animals born in the United States.
calendar icon 19 September 2008
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The number 840 is the US country code and appears at the beginning of all animal identification numbers issued in the country.

"The ability to locate quickly an animal's origin during an animal disease investigation is absolutely essential," said Bruce Knight, under-secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. "The more quickly we can determine the source and extent of an outbreak, the more effectively we can contain it. The use of animal identification numbers with the 840 prefix on US-born animals provides animal health officials with key information about the animal's origin immediately."


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"The more quickly we can determine the source and extent of an outbreak, the more effectively we can contain it."
Bruce Knight, under-secretary for marketing and regulatory programs.

By reserving use of this number, producers who use the 840 animal identification numbering system will have a convenient and cost-effective method which documents the origin of their animals in the United States to packers for country of origin labelling (COOL). Packers can rely upon this information for their origin claims on products at retail, in accordance with COOL.

With this interim rule, animal identification numbers with the 840 prefix will be used only on animals born in the United States. The USDA says that in the event of a disease outbreak, this will enable them to use the animal identification number to quickly determine the animal's origin. While USDA does not require the use of the 840 animal identification number for individual animal identification, producers who do use it will be able to use that 840 number for more than just identification. For example, 840 animal identification numbers also can be used in animal health programs, marketing programs, animal movement records, genetic programs and breed registries.

According to the USDA any imported animal that loses its country of origin identification device cannot be retagged using an 840 animal identification number. These animals can be retagged only with an official identification device using a numbering system other than the 840 animal identification number.

The interim rule also makes it unlawful to remove any official animal identification device, including those applied in other countries and officials recognized by APHIS for animals entering the United States. These devices are essential for the complete and proper traceability of imported animals.

This interim rule is necessary to enhance animal traceback capabilities for both domestic and imported livestock as well as better contain disease outbreaks.

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