September 16, 2005

US considers Australian, Canadian livestock identification systems

A US House of Representatives committee is considering implementing in the US national livestock identification systems similar to that of Canada's and Australia's.

Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte cited reasons such as the success of the Canadian and Australian systems, for adopting the National Animal Identification System for the US.

In a short span of time, both countries have developed systems that caught the attention of the international livestock industry, he said, and as such their experience in developing these systems is "well worth our time and attention".

In August, US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced USDA's decision to purse a public-private partnership-based identification system.

The system needs to fulfil four criteria, such as being able to track animals from point of origin to processing in 48 hours without unnecessary burden to producers; it must be developed without unduly increasing the role of government; it must also be flexible enough to utilise existing technologies and at the same time incorporate new technologies.

Finally, animal movement data should be maintained in a private system that can be readily accessed by state and federal animal health authorities when necessary.