New Framework for Animal Disease Traceability

decrease font size

increase font size

change type face

bookmark this page

email this page

print this page

Latest Pig Industry News

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Print This Page

New Framework for Animal Disease Traceability

US - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will develop a new framework for animal disease traceability.

One of the USDA’s first steps will be to convene a forum with animal health leaders, states and Tribal Nations. Additionally, USDA will be revamping the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health to address specific issues, such as confidentiality and liability.

USDA says the new system will apply only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce, will be administered by the states and Tribal Nations, will encourage the use of lower-cost technology and will be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.

In response, AMI President Patrick J. Boyle said, “We are extremely disappointed by the failure to implement the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that has been in development and by the prospect of waiting additional years before the US has an effective animal identification system in place. We will continue to work with USDA and interested parties to support the development and implementation of a mandatory animal identification system.”