Posted: 02.08.2010

On Friday, U.S. Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack announced that states will hold primary responsibility for creating their own animal traceback program - essentially ending a nationally organized effort.  Vilsack said that USDA’s efforts will: 1) Only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce; 2) Be administered by the States and Tribal Nations to provide more flexibility; 2) Encourage the use of lower-cost technology; and 4) Be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium has some concerns about unanwered questions that have been unaddressed.  In an interview with Pam Jahnke on Friday, Robert Fourdraine, Chief Operating Officer for WLIC, said that Vilsack's announcement basically spells the end to a National Animal Identification System.  Fourdraine says some of his concerns revolve around animals that ultimately will be moving into Wisconsin.  Each, potentially, with its one set of traceback data.  Fourdraine says he also questions if this state-by-state approach will be of detriment to the United States foreign marketing business.  He tells Jahnke that every animal in Canada can be traced directly back to the farm that it was born on - and that detail could become incredibly important if foreign buyers have faced - or are afraid to face - their own biosecurity issues with animal health.

Fourdraine said that USDA will be meeting with state veterinarians and other animal health leaders mid-March at an industry meeting in Kansas City.  For now, Fourdraine says Wisconsin will keep moving forward with its own voluntary premise identification - and the gradual integration of RFID tags for use in various livestock species.

Fourdraine says that USDA has committed to financially supporting states animal traceability programs - but to what level, and by providing what credentials - is still unanswered.

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