Press Release

Amy Spillman	(301) 734-7253
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA TO PROVIDE INTERIM SYSTEM TO REGISTER LOCATIONS AS PART OF THE NATIONAL ANIMAL ID SYSTEM

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004—The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it has selected a premises registration system, as an interim solution, that will record locations where animals reside or will reside. This is an important first step in the implementation of a national animal identification system (NAIS). The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium developed the system.

"Before animals can be tracked during a disease outbreak, we need to know where the animals are located," said APHIS Administrator W. Ron DeHaven. "Registering animal premises is a key component of a national animal identification system and will help trace animal movements during any future outbreaks."

The interim system was selected based on the results of an independent review conducted by SI International of Reston, Va. Currently, USDA is enhancing the system for use in multiple states and will provide it to a limited number of states in early August. It will be phased-in to ensure that any problems can be addressed before it is available nationally.

USDA will provide the interim standardized premises registration system that states or tribes can elect to use. States and tribes also can use other premises registration systems, as long as these systems meet national data standards. By early August, USDA will have evaluated other premises registration systems to ensure compliance with the national data standards.

USDA is committed to designing a comprehensive animal identification system that will trace all animals and premises potentially exposed to a foreign animal disease within 48 hours. This will ensure that the disease is quickly contained and eradicated. As announced in June, USDA will enter into cooperative agreements with states and tribes to implement a NAIS during the coming months. A total of $11.64 million will be awarded to begin implementation of an identification system for all livestock and poultry animals on farms and ranches.

Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet. Go to the APHIS home page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov and click on the "News" button.