Utah NAIS Premises Registration Program

Utah livestock owners are encouraged to help protect animal health by registering their premises as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

• NAIS Premises Registration Form for Utah
  NOTE: This form can be filled out online, then printed and mailed to the address listed on the form.

• Western Extension Marketing Committee - US Cattle Identification Systems: Risk Management and Market Opportunities
• USDA NAIS information
• Questions & Answers on The National Animal Identification System

What is the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)?

NAIS is a voluntary national program from USDA that is intended to identify all agricultural animals and track them as they come into contact with, or are inter–mixed with, animals other than herdmates from their premises of origin.

Already, many species in U.S. animal industries can be identified through some sort of identification system, but these systems are not consistent across the country. Tracing an animal’s movements can therefore be a time–consuming endeavor during a disease investigation, especially if the animal has moved across State lines.

The NAIS will enhance U.S. efforts to respond to intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively. USDA’s long–term goal is to establish a system that can identify all premises and animals that have had direct contact with a foreign animal disease or a domestic disease of concern within 48 hours of discovery.

Why is a National Animal Identification System needed?

A national animal identification system is needed to help protect American animal agriculture from foreign or domestic disease threats. Finding potentially sick or exposed animals early in a disease outbreak is essential to containing or eradicating the disease quickly. The NAIS would allow for rapid tracing of animals in the event of an outbreak, helping to limit the scope and expense of the outbreak and allowing us to minimize impact on domestic and foreign markets. The NAIS will also be critical as USDA, States, and industry work to complete the disease eradication programs in which we have invested many years and millions of dollars.

How will the NAIS be implemented?

The implementation of NAIS will be conducted in three main phases. Under Phase I, USDA will evaluate current federally funded animal identification systems and determine which system(s) should be used for a NAIS, further the dialogue with producers and other stakeholders on the operation of a NAIS, identify staffing needs, and develop any regulatory and legislative proposals needed for implementing the system.

Phase II will involve the implementation of the selected animal identification system at regional levels for one or more selected species, continuation of the communication and education effort, addressing regulatory needs and working with Congress on any needed legislation.

In Phase III, the selected animal identification system(s) would be scaled up to the national level.