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Animal Identification and Information Systems Committee Report
April 9, 2003

Committee Chair, Neil Hammerschmidt, welcomed everyone and acknowledged Allflex USA for sponsoring the meeting.

Final Report of the National Food Animal ID Task Force - Mark Engle and Robert Fourdraine

·     The National Identification Work Plan (NIWP) as was endorsed by USAHA was reviewed by Engle and Fourdraine to begin the meeting.

·     Neil H. reported on some comments from industry to the Veal Industry endorsed the NIWP.  Wisconsin producers were surveyed and 85% supported a national ID system and 85% support a 48 hr traceback.

·     Comments from the meeting attendees included concerns over tag loss issues and producer acceptance.

Report from the NIAA Equine ID Subcommittee – Amy Mann

·     Amy reported on the activities of this subcommittee.  The subcommittee was formed in Oct 2002.  A meeting of the subcommittee was held yesterday.  Amy Mann serves as Chair and Amelita Facchiano serves as Vice Chair of this subcommittee.

Please refer to the NIAA Equine ID Subcommittee report for details in Appendix A

Report from the Steering Committee of the National Identification Team – Valarie Ragan

·     Valarie reinforced the primary objective is to safeguard the national herd and then reviewed the structure of the National ID Development Team established by USDA.  The Development Team will use the NIWP as a guide.  The Steering Committee was identified as well the subcommittees and their identified tasks.   Subcommittees are Communications, Transition, Standards, Governance, and Information Technology.  Industry stakeholders and species specific groups will be key drivers and their input is essential for success in developing an effective plan.  A funding procurement group will be separate from the development team.  Procurement of funds will not be a direct function of the development team.  The development team will determine the financial needs and pass those needs on to the funding group.  The timeline is aggressive in light of the challenges for VS with END and other issues.  However, the team’s goal is to provide a draft plan for presentation at USAHA in the fall.

·     Comments from meeting attendees referred to individual animal numbers standards and administration of those numbers.  The intent is that numbers that fit the standards in the NIWP will become “official” ID and viable for interstate movements. As agreement is made on pieces of the implementation process, changes can be made to CFR prior to the entire ID system being completed.

·     Meeting attendees were curious about how to get on the development team subcommittees.  They were encouraged to contact Steering Committee members however, the subcommittee size will be limited.  Not all volunteers will be able to participate but can be used as resources.  A sign-up sheet was placed at the front of the room for interested attendees.

Electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) – Kevin Maher (Global Vet Link) and Tim ONeil (CEAH)

Tim reviewed the VS mission to protect and improve the health of the US herd (Homeland Security and Safeguarding).

·     VS is developing a tracking system entitled the Animal/Animal Product Tracking (AAPT) system.  Develop a web based to allow APHIS to safeguard  US animal agriculture and enhancing global trade.  The AAPT Implementation strategy is to focus and amplify existing technology.   The “as agreed to data” will be collected and stored electronically.  Data quality is a key.  VS plans to build on existing databases and existing VS infrastructure.  All premises will need to be geo-referenced.  A VS needs assessment for the AAPT system is in progress.  This system is not being developed to be the National ID System database.  This system is a tracking system being developed by VS to identify requirements and satisfy immediate needs.

·     A segment of the AAPT system is the ICVI system, which is an electronic Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI).  In regards to the ICVI, the goal is to complete Phase 1 of ICVI in cooperation and collaboration with States by March 2003.  Other than “lawyer” issues, Phase 1 is complete. The ICVI system will be expanded from Florida to an additional five states (NC, WI, CA, CO, TX) to test the system on a larger scale in the immediate future.

Kevin provided information and a live web demonstration of the Global Vet Link ICVI system.  

·     In collaboration with CEAH/CADIA, Global Vet Link has moved the ICVI system forward so it can be applied on a national level.  The system has links to state animal health requirements for each state.  The ICVI system has to be faster and easier than the paper system for animal health professions to accept it.

·    The forms will be signed electronically but a paper copy will be printed, signed by the accredited vet and the owner and will travel with the animal. 

·     For those that do not have Internet access, Global Vet Link is working on a system to allow off-line system.

ISO Compliant RFID Readers: The Status of the Technology and Integrated Capabilities in Livestock Production and Processing Environments – Glenn Fischer (Allflex) and Niel Fogt (Digital Angel)

Standards help suppliers to understand what the industry wants and then prepare to deliver the necessary product.

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization is a worldwide federation involving 140 countries from around the globe.

ISO Standards for Animal RFID:

·     ISO 11784 – Identification code structure which is broken down into different bits

            Animal

            Reserved

            Data Block

            Country Code

            National Code

      ISO 11784 does not specify device type or performance.

·     ISO 11785 – Technical concepts (how the responder is activated)

            Two different modes of transmission @ 134.2 kHz; half duplex and full duplex

The difference between half duplex and full duplex was described.  Both modes can be read by a single reader.

ISO standards allow producers with supplier options in regards to purchasing tags, readers and other RFID equipment.  In addition, concentration points will not have to purchase and install multiple devices, one device will read tags from multiple suppliers.

Case studies from Allflex and Digital Angel were presented.

Business Meeting

See Animal Identification and Information Systems Committee Resolutions

Appendix A:

Equine ID Subcommittee

Business Session

Number of Attendees:  23

Presentations:  Ky Mortensen / American Association of Equine Practitioners presented brief review of the background and history of equine ID as it relates to NIAA and summarized where the issue of equine ID in the industry currently stands. 

Handouts included:  the Facilitators Report on the July 2k2 Equine ID / Info /Expo Symposium  - available on line through the NIAA website (www.animalagriculture.org), and the January 2003 Equine ID Study Group Report.

General discussion ensured encompassing a number of questions and issues culminating in the following actions:

1. An agreement that the committee’s objective will be to continue to explore Equine ID,

2. Consensus to develop informational materials that describe why standard equine ID would be useful.  This should be developed, shared and presented to horse owners thru a broad spectrum of equine groups.  It should focus on the concept of equine ID with several in-depth scenarios of how such a concept would be useful in specific situations and the problems it might avoid. 

3. A decision that additional future steps would be taken as we progress,

4. An agreement to meet during the USAHA annual meeting in the Fall, and

5. An expectation that dialogue would continue among the committee members in the interim via email and / or tele-conference. 

Part of the discussion included clarification of the roles of NIAA Equine ID Subcommittee and the American Horse Council in relation to addressing equine ID issues.  The Subcommittee participants believe that the breed registries have the most direct dialogue with the horse owning public, and that this makes the AHC, as the umbrella organization for the breed registries, a key forum for discussion and resolution of industry specific needs and concerns.  From there, industry issues can be brought to NIAA for consideration by the Equine ID Subcommittee, which provides a broader spectrum of individuals involved in animal ID