Beef and dairy groups collaborate to develop private animal ID database

WASHINGTON – Livestock producers are supporting efforts to develop an animal movement database that will be coordinated in the private sector and serve as a key component of a national animal identification system.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Holstein Association USA believe an industry-led, nonprofit, multi-species consortium is the best way to help administer a database that ensures producer participation and confidentiality.
Assistance. While development of the database is on track, the groups are now looking to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and to other industry associations for input on how to proceed.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is reaching out to partners within the livestock industry to turn over the database management to a multi-species consortium.
Holstein Association USA brings a long history of animal tracking experience for a vitally important sector of the livestock industry.
Private and nonprofit. Producer groups agree that a movement database needs to be controlled by the private sector – those people in the affected animal industries.
But, no industry group will profit from the program, said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association animal ID coordinator Allen Bright.
Integration. In the dairy and beef sector, there is a very real and imminent need for an effective ID system that integrates existing systems into a national solution.
Bright said the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association believes new technologies will help enhance the current programs, while giving animal health authorities the tools they need for effective animal surveillance.
M eetings and support. Industry stakeholders recently gathered in Kansas City to discuss a privatized animal movement database at a USDA-hosted public meeting.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced Aug. 30 that USDA would support development of an animal movement database controlled within the private sector.
Bright said an animal industry consortium can have an animal movement database in place in a very short period of time.