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Animal Identification and Information Systems Committee 
Mid-Year Report
August 27, 2004

Issues of significance occurring in the industry (nationally or internationally)

The National Identification Steering Committee will evolve into a subcommittee of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Disease (SACFAPD).  Marcine Mauldenhauer (Excel) and Jim Niewold (pork producer) from the SACFAPD have been appointed to the subcommittee.  The official title for the committee will be the Subcommittee on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).  The first meeting of the subcommittee has been scheduled for Sept. 8-9, 2004 in Riverdale to discuss responsibilities, interactions, industry/producer input, and other activities the steering committee has participated in the recent past.  The direction and expectations of this subcommittee will be clearer after the September meeting.

The Identification Committee of USAHA has proposed to establish an ID oversight subcommittee with the expectation that the previous ID steering committee group may become less active.  Dr. Hillman is currently organizing a UM&R subcommittee to develop Uniform Methods and Rules for the NAIS.  Dr. Woods from MO will chair the UM&R subcommittee.  The UM&R subcommittee does need to be formed to write the UM&R.  A number of stakeholders have expressed concern regarding the fact that the NAIS Oversight Committee may reside as a subcommittee of the USAHA Identification Committee.  The primary concern has been the potential lack of producer/industry input.  It should be noted that Dr. Hillman has recently contacted stakeholders to name potential committee members to represent their interests.  The co-chairs of NIAA’s Animal Information and Identification Committee plan to attend the Riverdale meeting to better understand the implications of these proposed changes.  Two “advisory” groups with the same function would appear to be redundant and possibly conflicting.

The Department of Homeland Security has recognized that animal ID is critical to food security and the overall bio-surveillance initiative.

Activities of the committee since annual meeting

The Animal Information and Identification Committee organized the ID/INFO EXPO 2004 in Chicago from May 18-20, 2004.  The meeting was a tremendous success.  The staff members at the board meeting can provide the details.  The committee co-chairs would like to commend the NIAA staff for their organization of the activities.

Follow-up/Action on any resolutions since annual meeting

The two current resolutions from this committee are Confidentiality of Producer Records and Funding for the National Identification System.  Regarding confidentiality, it appears that USDA/DHS are aware of the importance of this issue and continue to pursue a solution.  Regarding funding, there has been industry discussion in two areas: 1) the requested appropriation for 2005 is inadequate, and 2) a competitive funding process is not the best way to implement a nation-wide premises ID system.

Plans of the committee in the coming months

A conference call may be planned to discuss findings from the Riverdale meeting regarding the future activities of the SACFAPD Subcommittee on the NAIS.  The NIAA committee should be informed of the developments for future stakeholder input.  If a conference call is held, this committee’s co-chairs will provide a report to the NIAA board following the conference call.

Any requests or recommendation for the board

Discuss NIAA’s possible position regarding an ID “oversight” committee within USAHA.  Animal Agriculture will need to come to a consensus on this issue to avoid further division on developing the NAIS.

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