Private System for Animal ID Raises Concern

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In a controversial decision, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said a private organization, rather than the government, will eventually track all livestock in the country. That's a move one industry leader says could increase costs and confusion for producers already worried about who will have access to information about their operations and who will pay for it.

In a controversial decision, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said a private organization, rather than the government, will eventually track all livestock in the country.


That's a move one industry leader says could increase costs and confusion for producers already worried about who will have access to information about their operations and who will pay for it.


The National Animal Identification System, or Animal ID, is a government-led effort to electronically identify all livestock so that the history of sick animals can be traced within 48 hours.


Terry Detrick, vice president of the Oklahoma Farmers Union, served on the Beef Cattle Identification Work Group, a team of industry leaders charged with advising the U.S. Department of Agriculture on producers' concerns and the best way for the government to implement the program.


However, the National Cattlemen's Beef Organization said last month that it could implement and run the system more efficiently, cheaply and confidentially than the government. In fact, the organization said it has a system that could be operational by Jan. 1.


This week, the government agreed and released several guidelines that the private system must follow. A meeting will be scheduled this fall to firm up the USDA's expectations.


"This private database will not operate for free," Detrick said.


"It's a private database. That means somebody is going to be in it for profit."


Detrick said he's most concerned with the costs for producers.


Animal ID is not only a national security issue, but also a consumer and food safety concern, and the costs should be shared by everyone, he said.


"Producers cannot afford a lot of extra expenses on this deal," Detrick said.


The cattlemen's group counters on its Web site that its system will be managed by a nonprofit consortium representing various types of livestock and will be operational by Jan. 1.


Basically, Animal ID is a system of government-issued identification numbers.


If an animal leaves a ranch, it must have a individual ID number, much like people have a Social Security number. Properties, including other ranches, sale barns or veterinary offices also have numbers, called premises IDs. Each time the animal moves to a new address, its number and the property ID is linked in a database.


By comparing the animal's number with the list of property numbers associated with it, officials can know exactly where an animal has set hoof in its lifetime.


In the private system, the government would continue to issue the numbers for property and livestock. However, the nonprofit consortium would manage the information and allow access to government officials.


The USDA-managed program was originally expected to cost livestock owners an estimated $2.50 per animal and become mandatory in 2009.


However, the cattlemen's group says that for producers, using its system only "to keep their animals' records, the cost is estimated to be cents."


Today's technology allows producers to keep track of much more than the basics.


Detrick said the private database can track a variety of information, including genetics, shots and birth dates -- for an additional cost.


"But those are bells and whistles compared to what the USDA and animal health officials say they really need," he said.


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Source: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News