USDA to begin implementation of national livestock ID system

USDA to begin implementation of national livestock ID system    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced its framework for implementation of a national animal identification system to help the agency pinpoint and eradicate diseased livestock.
   “While many livestock species in the United States can be identified through a variety of systems, a verifiable system of national animal identification will enhance our efforts to respond to intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively,” said U.S. agriculture secretary Ann M. Veneman in a statement Tuesday.
   Public demand for the system came about shortly after a cow in Washington state tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, better known as BSE or “mad cow” disease, on Dec. 23. There are also concerns that terrorists may attempt to expose U.S. livestock to diseases.
   Veneman said the livestock ID system allows the agency to meet “our goals and enables farmers and ranchers to adapt existing identification programs.”
   To start the program, USDA has transferred $18.8 million from its Commodity Credit Corp. The Bush administration’s proposed fiscal year 2005 budget includes another $33 million for the effort.
   The national animal ID system will be rolled out in three phases:
   * Phase I: USDA will evaluate current federally funded animal identification systems to determine which system(s) should be used for the program, including dialogue with the trade.
   * Phase II: USDA will implement selected identification systems at regional levels for one or more animal types, along with continued communication with the trade.
   * Phase III: Selected identification systems will be scaled up to the national level.
   USDA will also select an interim repository to handle incoming data. The agency has commissioned an independent analysis of repositories that are part of various USDA-funded animal identification projects around the country.
   USDA hopes this effort and others will help to rekindle trust in U.S. beef products in overseas markets. Japan, which bans U.S. beef, requires 100-percent testing of its domestic herd for BSE. USDA wants to avoid 100-percent testing of livestock for diseases, and has rejected individual attempts by some American beef shippers, such as Creekstone, to accommodate the Japanese market.