USDA APHIS Authorities and Activities Under the National Animal Identification System

1. USDA APHIS Authorities and Activities Under the National Animal Identification System • Advisory Committee on Biotechnology • and 21st Century Agriculture • Andy Morgan • Associate Deputy Administrator • Veterinary Services • May 29, 2008

2. Statutory Authority • AHPA has key provisions for VS programs • Authorizes VS to act swiftly and decisively to protect U.S. animal health • Strengthens VS’ ability to prosecute individuals who smuggle animals or products into U.S. • Gives VS authority to regulate aquaculture and provide services for aquaculture and livestock

3. BSE 80% of beef trade lost in 2004 $5M to investigate $189 M on surveillance END 10 months to eradicate and nearly $160 M 4M birds euthanized 1,600 on task force Costs of Animal Disease

4. Components of Disease Control Efforts • Surveillance • Diagnostics • Analysis • Traceability • Control and eradication

5. NAIS and Animal Health • Animal health is the focus of NAIS • Three key questions: • Where has the infected animal been? • What other animals have been exposed? • What additional premises & animals are at risk? • Retrieve traceback data within 48 hours of detection

6. NAIS Values • Standardize information systems and work in harmony with industry-based programs • 2. Make producers and industry part of safeguarding efforts

7. Advancing Traceability • Success in program diseases has reduced ID of animals

8. Traceability Structure • While traceability is complex and takes time and resources, USDA’s focus is increasing number of premises registered and the ID of animals at premises of origin • This complements traceability objective for all species and advances traceability within high-priority sectors

9. NAIS Components To Advance Traceability • Premises Registration • 2. Animal Identification • 3. Animal Tracing

10. Advance Traceability – Premises Registration • Foundation of NAIS • Key to response • 50 States, 2 Territories, several Tribes operational, over 464,000 registered

11. Advance Traceability – Animal ID • Animal ID is progressing as well • We’re preparing to accelerate this component’s • level of participation

12. Animal ID – Technology Standards • APHIS established technology-neutral position on animal ID methods to ensure market-driven solutions • Technology must work at speed of commerce • Industry recommends performance requirements and technology standards that provide basis for APHIS to authorize use of animal ID devices and technologies

13. Animal ID – Technology Standards(continued) • Species working groups (bison, cattle, equine) recommend RFID technology • Technologies/devices and use of “840” animal ID number (AIN) must have technology standards; for RFID technology, ISO 11784 and 11785 standards are adhered to when authorizing use of AIN devices • Technology standardization vital throughout livestock production chain to ensure capture of animal ID data

14. Animal ID – Current ID Devices • 11 ID devices approved and compliant with NAIS data standards: • 9 ISO-compliant RFID eartags • 1 ISO-compliant RFID injectable transponder • 1 premises ID eartag for slaughter swine • 1.5 M NAIS-compliant RFID eartags for use in animal disease programs and distribution in areas at increased risk for disease outbreaks • About 4.2 M AIN devices distributed

15. Advance Traceability – Animal Tracing • 17 State and private ATDs will maintain animal movement data • ATPS will enable State and Federal officials to request info from private/State ATDs in animal disease event • Technical specifications available on Web site • Nearly 20 ATDs participating in tracing component • Animal health officials will have more data available

16. The Business Plan • In 2007, USDA published A Business Plan to Advance Animal Disease Traceability • Other key documents include • NAIS User Guide • Program Standards and Technical References • Plan identifies strategies and actions to move toward 48-hour goal • Additional strategies will be developed

17. Business Plan Outline • Prioritize species/sectors • Harmonize ID systems • Standardize data elements of disease programs to ensure compatibility • Integrate automated technologies • Form State partnerships with a local focus • Collaborate with industry • Advance ID technologies

18. Critical Mass • Critical mass is minimum percentage of officially identified animals within each species/sector required to achieve traceability • Increasing number of animals officially identified improves quantity and quality of data • About 70% of animals in species/sector need to be identified and traceable • Critical mass approach advances toward 48-hour traceback goal, but not complete product

19. Performance Goals • Benefit-cost analysis will provide more info and input to our performance-based goals • Universities collecting data • Building upon benefit-cost info from University of California and Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health • Complete by August; final report expected October/November • Until we have that info, we will recommend to species working groups a 70% critical mass participation level

20. Conclusion • Considering comments received on Business Plan, making adjustments as needed; plan to publish a final draft very soon • Cooperative efforts among industry, State, and Federal agencies remain essential