January 13, 2006

US forms group to specially track animal movement
 

The US has formed its first non-profit organisation to identify and monitor movements of farm animals, the United States Animal Identification Organisation (USAIO).

The group will work with every segment of the animal industry and animal health authorities to manage the animal identification movement database, which is part of the National Animal Identification System directive approved by the Bush administration to track movements of sick animals in the event an outbreak occurs.

It is hoped that various industry groups will formally adopt the group as their database repository for animal movement data, said USAIO chairman Charles Miller, adding that a Memorandum of Understanding has been submitted to the US Department of Agriculture to form a strategic partnership.

The USAIO held its first meeting Jan 10.