These ear tags will be used to uniquely identify US livestock that are part of current animal disease programs.

“Using these animal identification number tags with radio frequency ID technology enhances the accuracy of animal identification and increases the program administration efficiencies. Most importantly, it puts us a step closer to our goal of rapid traceback when an animal disease outbreak occurs,” said Bruce Knight, undersecretary for USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs.

Individual animal identification is important to NAIS’ efforts to provide rapid response and containment in the event of an animal disease event. By quickly identifying involved animals, the impact of the outbreak on neighboring herds and premises can be limited-and disease spread could even be stopped before it reaches those animals.

NAIS is an information system that helps producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks or animal health events in the United States.

A particular focus for this new tagging program will be within geographic regions where bovine tuberculosis testing and the brucellosis calfhood vaccination programs are most active.


For more information go to: NAIS