The announcement last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) eliminating the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) does not change the objective pursued by the National Pork Board, which is for pork producers to have timely disease surveillance and protection for the U.S. swine herd.
"Premises identification is the cornerstone of animal health and disease surveillance," said Dr. Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Board. "This new direction does not change that fact and the pork industry remains committed to these critical efforts. The pork industry is committed to working collaboratively with USDA and state animal health officials to provide a sound system. Pork producers have demonstrated their confidence in premises identification through their participation and it is important that we maintain this voluntary cooperation."
According to USDA data, the U.S. swine industry already has more than 90-percent of its farms identified through premises identification.
The Checkoff's swine health committee, and the Committee's Animal ID Working Group, had supported the NAIS and incorporated elements of the program as a requirement in the industry's Pork Quality Assurance Plus® program. The announcement by USDA does not change the Checkoff's reliance on a voluntary premises identification program as an integral part of our swine health initiatives. The Committee will work closely with USDA and state animal health officials in maintaining our progress toward improved swine disease surveillance.
Here is the link to the USDA news release on NAIS. Here is the link to the USDA Q&A on NAIS.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-PORK or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
Source : National Pork Board