USDA unveils proposed rule for animal traceability

The long-awaited proposed rule to institute a national animal traceability program for the U.S. was announced today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and chief veterinarian Dr. John Clifford.

The announcement opens a 90-day comment period on a rule that has been one of the most contentious issues facing the livestock industry.

Vilsack said the rule meets all the criteria he laid out in February 2010 for a flexible program with low-cost technology that would fit with programs already in use by states and tribes. The nationwide program will be administered by states and tribes at an estimated cost of $14.5 million a year. Vilsack said he believed he could make the case for the cost to Congress because the ability to trace animals in the event of a disease outbreak would narrow the number of animals required to be tested and quarantined. Export markets have also demanded U.S. animal identification, and Vilsack said the new system "puts us in a much better competitive advantage."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said under the proposed rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates. The proposed rule encourages the use of low-cost technology and specifies approved forms of official identification for each species, such as metal eartags for cattle. However, recognizing the importance and prevalence of other identifications in certain regions, shipping and receiving states or tribes are permitted to agree upon alternative forms of identification such as brands or tattoos.

"Our proposal strives to meet the diverse needs of the animal agriculture industry and our state and tribal partners, while also helping us all reach our goal of increased animal disease traceability," Clifford said. "We believe reaching our goals on traceability will help save the industry and American taxpayer's money in the long term."

The proposed rule will be published in the Aug. 11 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Nov. 9. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2009-0091.

Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send comments to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0091, Regulatory Analysis & Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Rd., Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

*source Feedstuff