NPPC Commends USDA's Animal Traceability Rule

US - The National Pork Producers Council has been a strong advocate for animal traceability for several years. An effective traceability system is critical to the national animal health infrastructure and is required for certification by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

10 August 2011

2 minute read

North America

The ability to quickly trace diseased and exposed animals during a foreign animal disease outbreak would save millions of animals, lessen the financial burden on the industry and save the American taxpayer millions of dollars.

With support from all sectors of the pork industry, approximately 95 per cent of pork producer’s premises are already registered under the USDA livestock identification program.

NPPC is pleased with yesterday’s announcement by the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service that the long anticipated proposed animal traceability rule will be published for comment in the Federal Register on today, 10 August.

This is a significant step in formalising an animal traceability programme and the pork industry is grateful for USDA’s efforts. The industry also looks forward to the opportunity to comment on the proposed new rule and to the publication of a final animal traceability rule.

"An effective traceability programme would allow US pork to compete more effectively in the international market place with those countries that have already implemented traceability programmes," said Doug Wolf, President of NPPC.