USDA official says voluntary animal ID is not working

Washington Ag March 16, 2009 The USDA’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. John Clifford told a congressional hearing last week that the Agriculture Secretary has the authority to simply order a mandatory national animal identification system without additional legislation. Clifford expressed disappointment that after five years of trying to get livestock producers to voluntarily register their premises for the current voluntary id system, only 35 percent have done so. Clifford: “It has been very difficult to get the beef cattle sector .to sign up.” Clifford wouldn’t say what his recommendation to Secretary Vilsack would be but he did say this: Clifford: “The current system is not working so either it is going to have to be mandatory or provide an incentive to producers under a voluntary system to sign up.” Clifford could not say when Secretary Vilsack will make a decision. After that hearing held by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, its Chairman David Scott of Georgia, says he believes a mandatory animal id system is necessary. Full Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson also said a mandatory system is crucial in order to avoid the economic consequences of a major animal disease outbreak. The Washington Cattlemen’s Association opposes a mandatory animal identification system but if one were adopted by the USDA it would supersede a state‘s voluntary program. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.