The final NAIS component, animal tracing, is available through several Animal Tracking Databases (ATDs) maintained by States and private industry. This component of NAIS is one that still requires the most development, as a lot of data collection infrastructure will need to be put in place at markets and other locations. However, producers already have access to several ATDs for reporting the movement of animals that are shipped from or moved into their premises.

Movements within a production unit for management purposes (e.g., from pasture to pasture) are not ones that impact disease spread, and therefore are not necessary to report relative to NAIS. State and private industry animal tracking databases (ATDs) will hold the animal location and movement records that producers report. When there is a disease outbreak or other animal health event, the ATDs provide timely, accurate reports that show where potentially exposed animals have been and what other animals have come into contact with them.

Choosing an Animal Tracking Database
Participating producers will select either a State- or industry-operated ATD for reporting animal movements. Animal health officials receive movement records from ATDs only if a disease or animal health event occurs. View a list of compliant ATDs (PDF; 53KB).

Reporting Animal Movements
The NAIS Species Working Groups, in collaboration with animal health officials, are developing recommendations for the specific types of movements that should be reported to an ATD - those movements that pose the greatest potential to impact the spread of diseases for each species. Instructions on how to report animal movements will vary depending on the ATD selected by the producer.

Why You Should Participate
Once the animal tracing component is complete, there are several important points to consider when choosing whether to participate:

• Animal tracing information makes it easier for producers, States, industry, and USDA to determine the scope of a disease or animal health event and locate infected animals.

• Federal and state animal health officials will receive animal location and movement records only if a disease or animal health event - such as an outbreak of avian influenza or bovine tuberculosis - occurs.