News Release
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Contact: Ben Richey |
NIAA
Annual Meeting Provides First-Hand Update on Animal Identification
ST. PAUL, Minn.—In giving a progress report on development
of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS),
U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Hawks, reassured the industry that
mandatory participation would not be put in place until all confidentially
issues had been resolved, though the administration hopes to make this a
reality by 2009. Hawks addressed the members of the Animal Identification and
Information Systems Committee for the National Institute for Animal
Agriculture (NIAA) at their annual meeting last week. Regarding the confidentiality issue, which has been a concern for some in the industry, the Bush Administration has sent a bill to Congress that would exempt the data collected for NAIS from the Freedom of Information Act. Hawks urged the industry to actively support this
legislation. He also told the animal agriculture professionals from
across the country that the required report on NAIS progress had been sent to Congress
earlier this week so that he expected the more than $33 million NAIS
operating funds for the current fiscal year would be released soon.
Neil Hammerschmidt, NAIS coordinator for
the USDA, reported on the implementation progress of the program for the
year, including various field trials and the fact that 45 states have
voluntary premises identification programs in place.
More than 50,000 premises have been registered across the country. In addition, he said that the USDA
plans to publish the NAIS Strategic Plan in the Federal Register in
the near future. He urged the
industry to review the plan carefully and make appropriate comments and
recommendations. NIAA will continue to remain
engaged in the NAIS development, by continuing to bring industry input to
the system, according to president and CEO Glenn Slack. NIAA produced resolutions this year in support of APHIS' work
in implementing NAIS, as well as supporting funding
for completing premises registration and data collection capabilities.
More than 400 animal agriculture professionals and officials,
from the U.S. and abroad, attended the 2005 NIAA Annual Meeting, a record
attendance for the second straight year. The National Institute for Animal
Agriculture began operations in January 2000.
NIAA's mission is to provide a forum for building consensus and
advancing solutions for animal agriculture and to provide continuing
education and communication linkages for animal agriculture professionals. The organization is dedicated to
programs that work towards the eradication of diseases that pose a risk to
the health of animals, wildlife and humans; promote a safe and wholesome
food supply for our nation and abroad; and promote best practices in
environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being. Members include professionals
engaged in animal agriculture including producers, veterinarians,
scientists, government representatives and business executives. #
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