USDA chief vet calls current animal ID program ineffective

摘要

John Clifford, deputy administrator for veterinary services in USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, told the House Agriculture Livestock Subcommittee last week that the agency's voluntary National Animal Identification System (NAIS) "is not working" and must be replaced by a mandatory system or a voluntary system with greater incentives for industry participation. Clifford, one of eight witnesses to testify at the March 11 hearing, reported that only 35% of eligible livestock premises have been registered with the NAIS, and the United States can't obtain "negligible risk" status for BSE from the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) because of inadequate cattle traceability. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is conducting a review of past spending on NAIS and "carefully weighing a range of policy options," including a mandatory program, he said.