Livestock producers, stand up and be counted

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is asking local livestock producers to take the first step in developing a national animal tracking system by registering for the animal premises identification program.

The program is aimed at preventing the spread of animal-borne diseases such as mad cow disease and avian flu by making it possible to quickly identify and track each animal in the country in the event of an outbreak.

When fully operational, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Animal Identification System will be capable of tracing an ill animal or group of animals back to the herd or location that is the most likely source of the infection. The system also will be able to trace potentially exposed animals removed from that herd or location.

The USDA has made implementation of the NAIS a top priority because of the importance of containing any outbreak of disease before it can spread. Ultimately, the agency plans to establish a system that can within 48 hours identify all premises and animals exposed to a disease.

The first step toward that goal is the animal premises identification program being implemented by the state on behalf of the USDA.

"This is a good program that can potentially benefit people in many ways," said Ernie Marx, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension agent. "It protects the animals and the community. The easiest way to do that is if we know where the animals are."

The premises identification program applies to what the USDA defines as any "geographically unique location associated with animal agriculture that would allow for the commingling of animals or poultry that is involved in commerce." That definition encompasses farms, ranches, feedyards, auction barns and livestock exhibitions and fairs. The identification program applies to alpacas, bison, cattle, deer, elk, horses, llamas, sheep, swine and fish and shellfish.

There currently are no firm registration deadlines, according to CSU professor and livestock specialist Steve LeValley. He said the goal is getting at least a quarter of the nation's livestock premises identified by 2007, although, "that's something that obviously may be modified."

Marx said it makes sense to register now while the premises ID program is free and voluntary in Colorado. Later, he said, it could be made mandatory with a registration fee required. Some counties also require animal premises ID to participate in the county fair, although Larimer County will not do so this year.

Registration is a simple process, according to Marx, and can be quickly completed on-line. Follow the Animal Premises ID link located on the Larimer County Extension web page at www.larimer.org/ext.

The animal identification program is the first in a three-pronged approach that will later include animal registration and animal tracking.

"Our primary emphasis is getting these premises IDs now," said LeValley. "Animal ID is a whole other matter."

While he acknowledged that some have criticized the program as an unnecessary intrusion, Le-Valley insisted, "This is not a subversive plot to pry into the privacy of livestock producers." According to the USDA, it is investigating options for protecting from public disclosure the information collected through National Animal Identification System.

For more information about the premises identification program contact Marx at 498-6000 or the Colorado Department of Agriculture animal industry division at 1-877-842-0102, toll-free, or www.ag.state.co.us.