Pushing Ahead with Animal ID's

Taking its first step toward its ultimate goal of a nationwide animal ID system, the USDA plans to issue “premises” identification numbers to ranchers, feedlots and packing plants later this year.

Quick response in the event of animal disease exposure is the purpose behind the new system. USDA Secretary Ann Veneman said the system is designed to identify any agricultural facility threatened by exposure so the disease can be quickly contained and eradicated.

The White House budget office agreed in the past few days to let USDA use $18.8 million in emergency funding to launch the program.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at April 28, 2004 09:37 AM | TrackBack