03/21/06 Johanns on animal ID

American Rancher March 21, 2006 The most recent case of BSE in the U.S. and the need to trace animals has put some more focus on creation and implementation of a national animal identification system. Last week Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns fielded several questions on the issue. He said he believes national animal ID will become a mandatory program at some point but also said he believed U.S. livestock producers would want to participate even without a government mandate. Johanns: "Because it is good business. I mean it really is. Producers understand that it is good business. Animal ID its time has come. We have foreign competitors out there who are moving their ID systems. They are making the case that they have the animal ID system. They are doing everything they can to use it as a competitive advantage. So I am very, very confident that producers see this as good business." Johanns insisted a private-sector approach to implementing an animal ID system makes the most sense. Johanns: "You are going to see the private sector, in fact you have already, doing traceability systems and ready to sign up animals. And so once we get through some of the technical requirements we have, I think you are going to see traceability is going to be available through the private sector really right away." Secretary Johanns. I'm Bob Hoff.