National Animal Identification Systems

Livestock production contributed nearly $123 billion to the U.S. economy in 2006. In response to concerns about animal disease outbreaks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in December 2003 that it would implement a nation-wide program -- later named the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)-to help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in the United States. In this context, the author determined (1) how effectively USDA is implementing NAIS and, specifically, the key issues identified by livestock industry groups, market operators, state officials, and others; (2) how USDA has distributed co-operative agreement funds to help states and industry prepare for NAIS and evaluated the agreements' results; and (3) what USDA and others estimate are the costs for USDA, states, and industry to implement NAIS. In conducting its work, the authors reviewed USDA documents; interviewed agency, industry, and state officials; and consulted 32 animal identification (ID) experts.this is an edited and excerpted edition.

Livestock production contributed nearly $123 billion to the U.S. economy in 2006. In response to concerns about animal disease outbreaks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in December 2003 that it would implement a nationwide program-later named the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)-to help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in the United States. In this context, GAO determined (1) how effectively USDA is implementing NAIS and, specifically, the key issues identified by livestock industry groups, market operators, state officials, and others; (2) how USDA has distributed cooperative agreement funds to help states and industry prepare for NAIS and evaluated the agreements' results; and (3) what USDA and others estimate are the costs for USDA, states, and industry to implement NAIS. In conducting its work, GAO reviewed USDA documents; interviewed agency, industry, and state officials; and consulted 32 animal identification (ID) experts.

This report provides a summary of current developments in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) effort to establish a national animal traceability capacity with the intended goal of being able to rapidly identify and respond to an animal disease outbreak. National animal identification and traceability appear to have substantial economic value, yet federal proposals have proven controversial among certain segments of the U.S. cattle industry. This report provides background on animal ID and traceability in general, and the development of the current U.S. system of animal ID and traceability in particular. In addition, it reviews the claims and counter-claims of proponents and opponents of a national animal ID system, and describes many of the unresolved issues related to program development. Finally, two appendixes offer a brief chronology of the development of the U.S. National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and its successor program, and a brief description of the major international organizations involved in setting standards and rules for animal health and trade in animal products, along with summary descriptions of animal ID and traceability programs found in other major livestock producer and consumer countries.

Livestock production contributed $123 billion to the U.S. economy in 2006. In response to concerns about animal disease outbreaks, the U.S. Dept. of Ag. (USDA) announced in Dec. 2003 that it would implement a nationwide program -- the Nat. Animal Identification System (NAIS) -- to help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events. This report determined: (1) how effectively USDA is implementing NAIS and the key issues identified by livestock industry groups, market operators, state officials, and others; (2) how USDA has distributed coop. agree. funds to help states and industry prepare for NAIS and evaluated the agreements¿ results; and (3) what are the costs to implement NAIS. Charts.