Animal Identification
Overview
An animal identification system traces the whereabouts and movement of certain animals. While government officials and private industry had been working on the issue prior to the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in late 2003, USDA announced that it would expedite its efforts in the wake of the discovery. On April 27, 2004 Secretary Veneman announced a framework for the implementation of the system called the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that was developed with the collaboration of USDA, private industry, and state animal health officials and is largely based on earlier work done with the United States Animal Identification Plan. The plan will eventually encompass all livestock and poultry in the United States. The NAIS will provide information on the whereabouts of animals from their original birthplace to the slaughter plant. It does not include tracing the meat through the plant to the consumer. Although not currently mandatory, the goal of the NAIS is to be able to trace all livestock and poultry within 48 hours of a certain event such as a disease outbreak.
Read the full overview
Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.
Major Statutes
The Animal Health Protection Act, 7 U.S.C. §§ 8301- 8317
Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 552
Uniform Commercial Code, Article 2 - Sales
Regulations
Regulations Pertaining to the Movement of Livestock, 9 C.F.R. pts. 71 to 85
Federal Register Rules Open for Comment
Center published Federal Register Digest
Case Law
Note: Recently summarized cases are listed and linked in Recent Postings.
Case Law Index for Animal Identification
Center Research Publications
Approaching Liability with Animal Identification (Pendergrass, 2007)
A Comparison of International Animal Identification Programs (Pendergrass, 2007)
Varying State Approaches to Confidentiality with Premises and Animal Identification Systems
(Pendergrass, 2007)
State Identification Statutes: Confidentiality Provisions Relating to Animal and Premises Identification
(Pendergrass, 2007)
Animal Identification and the Next Farm Bill (O'Brien, 2006)
Legal Issues in Developing a Plan for Animal Identification (Roberts and Pittman, 2004)
Animal Identification: Liability Exposure and Risk Management (Roberts and O'Brien, 2004)
Animal Identification: Confidentiality of Information (Roberts and O'Brien, 2004)
Congressional Research Service Reports
CRS Subject(s):
Animal Agriculture
Reference Resources
USDA Resources
National Animal Identification System, USER Guide (USDA)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Animal Identification (APHIS Veterinary Services)
Food Safety Research: A Focus on Animal Identification Pilot Program (National Agricultural Library -
NAL, Food Safety Research Information Office - FSRIO)
Pathogen Detection and Monitoring: Animal Electronic ID (NAL, FSRIO)
Food Safety Links: Product Tracing (NAL Foodborne Illiness Center)
Other Congressional Resources
Development of a National Animal Identification Plan (U.S. House Agriculture Committee
Hearings, March 5, July 22, and August 17, 2004)
Development of a National Animal Identification Plan (U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee
Hearing, March 4, 2004)
GAO Reports on Animal Identification
Additional Resources
United States Animal Identification Plan
Western Extension Marketing Committee, Livestock Marketing Information Center
Iowa Beef Center (IA St. U.)
National Institute for Animal Agriculture
United States Animal Health Association
Canadian Cattle Identification Agency
National Animal Identification System (American Veterinary Medical Association - AVMA)
