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National Animal Identification Program
Camelid Working Group
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Sept. 5, 2006
Contact: Sheila Fugina 715-246-5837
Camelid ID Working Group Gives Updated Status Report to USDA, Asks for Universal Microchip Scanner
The Camelid ID Working Group (CWG) has sent an updated status report to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) Subcommittee of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases. A previous report was sent to the NAIS subcommittee in September of 2004.
The CWG reported the following accomplishments:
*Established a web site devoted to providing information to and communication with the camelid industry (the CWG is the only species working group to have a stand-alone web site).
*Conducted an online survey regarding industry preferences for specific methods and locations of permanent camelid identification and for management and financing of an animal tracking database.
*Issued frequent press releases to keep the camelid industry updated on NAIS developments.
*Voted to approve the first ID recommendation in July 2006 and submitted it to industry members for comment. The first recommendation submitted to the USDA is: "For participation in the NAIS, we recommend the implanted microchip as the preferred method for identification of camelids."
*Formed several new subcommittees to address:
--details of the method of ID (microchips)
--movement tracking within the industry and how that can most efficiently be handled
--review diseases of concern (e.g. USDA program diseases) that occur in camelids
The status report also included updated llama and alpaca population statistics, including growth of the industry since 1985 and the current level of microchipping by camelid owners. A list of concerns that have been voiced to the CWG by camelid owners was also included, such as:
How will confidentiality of owners' information be assured?
Will the NAIS place undue financial burden on owners?
Will the NAIS have a negative impact on show attendance?
Will the NAIS negatively impact the rate of growth of the camelid industry?
The full text of the status report is available on the CWG web site under 'Status Reports'.
The CWG also submitted a comment to USDA/APHIS docket 2006-0012 (Animal Welfare—Animal Identification Standards). This docket sought input on the need for a true universal microchip scanner for use in the U.S. Currently not all scanners can read all manufacturers' microchips. Although USDA has very limited regulatory authority in this area, they were asked by a Congressional conference committee to develop regulations that would allow the widespread distribution of a scanner that can read (not just detect) microchips of all frequencies, encrypted and open. The response submitted by the CWG reviews the prevalence of microchip use in U.S. camelids and briefly summarizes the findings of the March online survey. The comment states in part:
"Camelids are included in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), and the Camelid ID Working Group has recommended implanted microchips as the preferred method of permanent ID for camelids. Before any move to mandate the use of ISO microchips, a true universal scanner base must be pre-installed in the U.S. at markets, exhibition sites, veterinary clinics, and such scanners must be readily available for purchase by owners."
The full text of the docket comment is available on the CWG web site under 'Federal Register Docket Comments'
The CWG will continue to develop recommendations for a camelid ID plan, and all recommendations approved by the CWG will be announced and circulated within the camelid community for comment prior to being finalized for submission to USDA.
Please submit your comments and questions to any of the following CWG members:
Teri Nilson Baird at teri@brokenwindmill.com
Karen Conyngham at 72040.3361@compuserve.com
Sheila Fugina at bsfugina@pressenter.com
Dr. Julie Ann Jarvinen at jarvinen@iastate.edu
Marsharee Wilcox at mwilcox@travelers.com
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7-29-05
Camelid Working Group
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
CAMELID WORKING GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW WEB SITE ON ANIMAL ID
In a continuing effort to keep the llama and alpaca community
informed on development of the National Animal Identification System
(NAIS)for camelids, the Camelid Working Group (CWG) has established a new web
site.
The purpose of the new web site is to increase NAIS awareness among
llama and alpaca owners, keep owners updated on CWG activities, provide
the opportunity to give input on developing the camelid ID plan, and help
owners make the transition to meeting the anticipated coming laws.
The CWG web site contains all of the CWG press releases to date, a
section on frequently asked questions, background articles on animal ID,
Federal Register Docket comments, and a list of CWG members and their
contact information. You may access the web site at www.camelidid.org
David E Anderson, DVM, MS
College of Veterinary Medicine
The Ohio State University
VISIT OUR WEB-SITES:
http://vet.osu.edu/
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6-20-05
Camelid Working Group News Release
Questions Answered on Current and Future Microchipping of Camelids
Comments from several llama and alpaca owners concerning how
microchips currently in use in camelids will fit into the National Animal
Identification System (NAIS) provided additional impetus to a previously
scheduled teleconference between several members of the Camelid Working
Group (CWG) and Dr. John Wiemers, USDA's liaison to the CWG. A summary of
the June 1 discussion with Dr. Wiemers follows each question.
Can the microchips currently in common use in camelids, i.e. the 9, 10 or
12-character, 125- and 128-kHz microchips, be grandfathered in as a means of
official identification in the NAIS for the lifetime of the animal?
Yes, if these microchips are currently implanted in a registered
camelid, they can be grandfathered in for the remaining lifetime of the
animal, and implantation with a second 134.2- kHz microchip will not be
necessary. Several conditions, however, will apply to grandfathering in
these microchips. For example, the owner will be responsible for ensuring
that the microchip is functional and for providing a scanner capable of
reading the microchip if the animal is transported interstate. Whether or
not these microchips could be grandfathered in for unregistered camelids has
yet to be determined.
Neither the 125- or 128-kHz microchips have the requisite 15-digits with the
USA country code, so how could they be used for official identification?
A breed registration number is currently one of several forms of
official identification approved for participation in government programs
and interstate movement of livestock. For the NAIS, the grandfathered
microchips would be considered a supplemental form of identification
secondary to the breed registration number. (It is important to note that
permanent identification of animals will eventually be required by each
state for intrastate transport of livestock as well.)
Here is how the 125- or 128-kHz microchips would be used as official
identification in the NAIS: the animal must be registered, the microchip
number must be on the registration certificate, a copy of the certificate
listing the microchip number must accompany the animal during interstate
transportation, the microchip in the animal must be functional and match the
microchip number on the registration certificate, and a reader capable of
reading the microchip must be available during transportation. For NAIS
tracking purposes, the NAIS database would record the breed registry number
as the primary form of identification and the microchip number as an
alternate method.
Why might grandfathering of the 125- or 128-kHz microchips be limited to
registered camelids?
The breed registration number is the official means of
identification that links the microchip number to a specific animal. A 125-
or 128-kHz microchip is not recognized as official identification, so
without a registration number, unregistered animals have no form of official
identification. The CWG needs to determine if there is a way the microchips
in unregistered animals could also be grandfathered in, perhaps, for
example, by listing them in the International Lama Registry database.
If an animal doesn't currently have a 125- or 128-kHz microchip and the
owner implants one in the future, will they be grandfathered in also?
Ongoing use of 125- or 128-kHz microchips is problematic, and there
is no clear answer to the question. If the microchips were implanted
recently, or will be in the near future, they will likely be grandfathered
in.
Can camelid owners continue to use 125-kHz microchips indefinitely?
As it stands now, it does not appear that owners can continue to
implant 125- or 128-kHz microchips in camelids indefinitely and have them
grandfathered in for use in the NAIS. When participation in the NAIS
becomes mandatory, which is expected to be in 2008 or 2009, it appears that
only 15-digit 134.2-kHz microchips will be acceptable. The CWG will need to
develop a timeline for phasing out the use of 125- and 128-kHz microchips as
new implants while making the transition to 134.2-kHz microchips. The
timeline described in the NAIS Strategic Plan draft indicates "840 numbers" (USA country code) will be initiated in August 2005. USDA is on target for
release of official animal identification numbers (AIN) in late summer 2005,
and 15-digit 134.2 kHz microchips bearing official AIN should be available
shortly thereafter.
Note: Only those animals leaving the farm or ranch to enter commerce (e.g.
travel to another state, move to another farm for breeding or because they
were sold, attend a show, etc.) will need to be microchipped; animals that
stay on your farm will not require permanent identification.
The CWG will continue to keep the llama and alpaca community
informed on development of the NAIS for camelids. Up-to-date information on
the NAIS, including the recently released drafts of the NAIS Strategic Plan
and Program Standards, is available at the USDA web site
http://www.usda.gov/nais. The camelid ID plan is still under development by
the CWG. Please submit your comments or questions to the following CWG
members.
Teri Nilson Baird at teri@brokenwindmill.com
Karen Conyngham at 72040.3361@compuserve.com
Sheila Fugina at bsfugina@pressenter.com
Dr. Julie Jarvinen at jarvinen@iastate.edu
Marsharee Wilcox at mwilcox@stpaultravelers.com or evllamas@bellatlantic.net
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5-27-05 NAIS Animal Identification
Camelid Working Group News Release
USDA to Roll Out Official NAIS Animal Identification Numbers Later in 2005
Before the end of 2005, livestock producers should be able to obtain
animal identification devices bearing official USDA animal identification
numbers (AIN) for use in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
An interim USDA rule issued Nov. 8, 2004, recognized new numbering standards
for use in official government animal health programs including the NAIS.
Adoption of standards for AIN, as well as premises identification numbers
(PIN), is essential for communication among the federal, state and industry
databases needed to implement the NAIS.
Consistent with standards 11784 and 3166, set by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO), animal identification numbers (AIN)
will have 15 digits with 840 (USA country code) as the first three.
Together with the country code, the remaining 12 digits will uniquely
identify individual animals worldwide. Once assigned, this ID number will
remain with the animal for its lifetime. For camelids, the PIN and AIN are
separate and independent numbers that will be connected with one another
only on paper or electronically through NAIS databases.
USDA hopes to make AIN numbers available by late summer 2005 so
USDA-approved manufacturers can begin production of ID devices using the
official numbering standards. After USDA approves manufacturing of ID
devices with official AIN numbers, the ID devices will be made available to
producers through USDA-approved Managers/Distributors. The NAIS Draft
Program Standards released by USDA May 5, 2005, indicates an official
15-digit AIN beginning with 840 will eventually be required and over time
will become the sole national numbering system used when unique individual
animal identification is required.
Producers will not be able to purchase official ID devices without
first obtaining a seven-digit premises identification number (PIN) obtained
from their state agriculture department. Before distributing ID devices to
producers, AIN Managers/Distributors will be required to verify the
producer's PIN with the USDA. Camelid owners should note that only
locations where livestock are held or managed will need a PIN. Owners who
board all of their camelids and have no livestock on their premises do not
need to register their premises, but the facility boarding their animals
must do so. The boarding facility would use their own PIN to obtain
official devices on behalf of their clients and would be responsible for
applying the devices to animals on their premises. Consult your state
agriculture department if you are uncertain whether or not you need to
register your premises.
Most implantable microchips currently used in camelids in the US do
not have the requisite number of digits (standardized data elements) and are
not ISO11784 compliant. They also do not include the US country code. The
Camelid Working Group (CWG) is charged with helping develop the NAIS for
camelids and has not yet submitted official recommendations to USDA
regarding ID for use in camelids. Although the CWG will request recognition
of currently used non-compliant microchips for identification in camelids
that already have implanted microchips, USDA acceptance of these chips is
not guaranteed.
Unless needed immediately for other purposes (such as certain state entry
requirements or AOBA show rules), it would be prudent for camelid owners to
consider delaying the purchase of any ID device until those bearing the
official AIN numbers become available later this year.
The CWG will continue to keep you informed on development of the
NAIS for camelids. Up-to-date information on the NAIS, including the
recently released drafts of the NAIS Strategic Plan and Program Standards,
is available at the USDA web site http://www.usda.gov/nais. The camelid ID
plan is still under development by the CWG, but input from the llama and
alpaca community is needed so a plan can be developed that meets the needs
of the camelid industry while satisfying USDA requirements. Please submit
your comments or questions to the following CWG members.
Teri Nilson Baird at teri@brokenwindmill.com
Karen Conyngham at 72040.3361@compuserve.com
Sheila Fugina at bsfugina@pressenter.com
Dr. Julie Jarvinen at jarvinen@iastate.edu
Marsharee Wilcox at m.wilcox@stpaultravelers.com or
evllamas@bellatlantic.net
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5-5-05 USDA National Animal Identification Program
Camelid Working Group News Release
For Immediate Release
Two States Set Premises Registration Deadlines; USDA Launches ID System Web
Site
Currently, premises registration is underway in 46 states with
registration systems expected to be fully operational in all 50 states by
the end of 2005. Premises registration is voluntary in most states, but
camelid owners should check with their state agriculture department for
details. Contact information for each state is available on the USDA NAIS
web site http://www.usda.gov/nais.
Members of the Camelid Working Group (CWG), representing most
segments of the llama and alpaca community, are working with USDA to develop
the camelid portion of the NAIS. The CWG is seeking input from the llama
and alpaca community regarding a sensible ID system for camelids. Please
contact any of the following members if you would like to ask questions or
provide comments to the CWG.
Karen Conyngham at 72040.3361@compuserve.com
Dr. Julie Jarvinen at jarvinen@iastate.edu
Sheila Fugina at bsfugina@pressenter.com
Marsharee Wilcox at m.wilcox@stpaultravelers.com or
evllamas@bellatlantic.net
Following is the USDA Press Release
USDA Launches Web Site Focusing on the National Animal Identification System
WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service has announced the launch of a new Web site to
inform about the national animal identification system (NAIS). The Web
site, available at http://www.usda.gov/nais, is designed to be a one-stop
resource to facts about NAIS.
"We hope our stakeholders will visit the site frequently to find out
the latest news about the NAIS from a national perspective," said APHIS
Administrator W. Ron DeHaven. "It will be updated regularly as new
information becomes available."
In addition to providing national news, the site provides contact
information for state and tribal animal health authorities. The states and
tribes are responsible for providing each premises under their purview with
a nationally unique identification number-the starting point of the NAIS.
All states should be able to assign nationally unique premises
identification numbers to locations where animals are managed or held by
mid-2005.
Over time, APHIS plans to add to the new Web site resources targeted
to specific species and industry segment groups. Currently, NAIS working
groups comprised of industry and government representatives have been
established for cattle and bison, sheep, swine, poultry, horses, llamas and
alpacas, deer and elk, and livestock markets and processors.
In implementing the NAIS, USDA's goal is to provide animal health
officials the ability to identify all animals and premises that have had
contact with a foreign or domestic animal disease of concern within 48 hours
after discovery. As an information system that provides for rapid tracing
of infected and exposed animals during an outbreak situation, the NAIS will
help limit the scope of such outbreaks and ensure that they are contained
and eradicated as quickly as possible.
With the recent passage of the Fiscal Year 2005 Consolidated
Appropriations Act, APHIS will receive approximately $33 million for NAIS
implementation. USDA also transferred $18.8 million from its Commodity
Credit Corporation to APHIS during fiscal year 2004 to support the NAIS.
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USDA National Animal Identification Program
Nov. 5, 2004 Press Release
Andrea NcNally (202) 690-4178
Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
APHIS TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING FOR ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION MANUFACTURERS AND
DISTRIBUTORS
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2004 - The U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that a public meeting for
National Animal Identification System (NAIS) stakeholders, particularly
those that manufacture or distribute animal identification devices and
technologies, will be held Nov. 19, in Kansas City, Mo.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for these stakeholders to offer
comments on the administration of animal identification numbers (AINs)
under the NAIS. The meeting will focus on anticipated roles and
requirements for individuals, organizations and companies that would like
to become authorized animal identification number managers or distributors.
APHIS anticipates that official AIN management and distribution options
will be implemented by mid-2005.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 19, at the Kansas City
Airport Marriott, 775 Brasilia Ave., Kansas City, Mo. For more information,
contact Neil Hammerschmidt, National Center for Animal Health Programs at
(301) 734-5571.
Notice of the meeting is scheduled for publication Nov. 8 Federal Register.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov
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9-27-04
Below please find a request for comments regarding the national ID system. This is your opportunity to make your concerns regarding the permanent identification system that the government will institue. Since alpacas and llamas are considered livestock by the US government, they will be included in any plans to institute a system. The deadline for comments is exceedingly short, October 3rd, 2004. See below for the actual posting.
Tracy J Miesner, DVM
ICI Associate Director
miesner.2@osu.edu
614-403-1016
Notice of Request for Emergency Approval of an Information
Collection - National Animal Identification System [edited]
Federal Register: September 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 184) Notices Page
56990-56991 From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
gpo.gov
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket No. 04-048-1
Notice of Request for Emergency Approval of an Information
Collection
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: New information collection; comment request.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for
emergency review and approval of an information collection associated
with a national animal identification system.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
October 3, 2004.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your
comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-048-1
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your
comment refers to Docket No. 04-048-1.
E-mail: Address your comment to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your
comment must be contained in the body of your message; do not send
attached files. Please include your name and address in your message
and ``Docket No. 04-048-1'' on the subject line.
Agency Web Site: Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html
for a form you can use to submit an e-mail comment through the APHIS Web
site.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: National Animal Identification System.
OMB Number: 0579-XXXX.
Type of Request: Emergency approval of a new information
collection.
Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the importation and
interstate movement of animals and animal products and conducts various
other activities to protect the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry.
A national animal identification system, being implemented by USDA
at present on a voluntary basis, is intended to identify all livestock,
as well as record their movements over the course of their lifespans.
USDA's goal is to create an effective, uniform, consistent, and
efficient national system that, when fully implemented, will allow
traces to be completed within 48 hours of detection of a disease,
ensuring rapid containment of the disease.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection.
These comments will help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the
information collection, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who
are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic,
mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
Estimate of burden; Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.1911198 hours per response.
Respondents: State animal health authorities; federally recognized
tribal governments; owner/operators of feedlots, markets, buying
stations, and slaughter plants; producers; and nonproducer
participants, such as accredited veterinarians, animal identification
(ID) number managers (individuals or firms responsible for assigning
animal ID numbers to producers), animal identification ID companies
(companies that manufacture animal identification tags, microchips, or
other animal ID devices), third party service providers (companies that
provide herd management, dairy herd improvement, genetic evaluation,
and other services to producers), and diagnostic laboratories and
livestock buyers/dealers who submit data to the national database.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 495,055.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10.0991.
Estimated annual number of responses: 4,999,610.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 505,560 hours. (Due
to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product
of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden
per response.)
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8-23-04 Check the following web
http://www.aphis.usda.gov
for the transcript of the Colorado Meeting August 10, 2004
only three Colorado Camelid owners testified.
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7-13-04
USDA National Animal Identification Program
USDA to Hold Listening Sessions on National Animal Identification Program
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2004-The U.S. Department of Agriculture will
hold a series of listening sessions across the country to discuss the
development, structure and implementation of a national animal
identification program for all livestock and poultry animals.
"These sessions will provide public forums to discuss the national
animal identification program," said Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks. "A national animal identification
program will help the government and industry more quickly control
outbreaks of a variety of animal diseases and reduce the economic
impacts on the market."
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced in December 2003 that
USDA would expedite the implementation of a national animal
identification program. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service has received more than $18 million to begin implementing a
national system that will quickly and efficiently traceback diseased or
potentially diseased animals. A premise identification system will be
completed this summer, which will allow for the beginning of pilot
programs to test identification systems.
Check this site for transcripts from listening sessions already held:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/
The Colorado session is scheduled for:
Tuesday, August 10
Greeley, Colorado
1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Registration for speakers will begin at noon.
Island Grove Regional Park
525 N. 15th Avenue
4-H Building
Greeley, CO 80631
For directions, call (970) 350-9392
This is your chance to have direct input to the USDA prior to the plan
being put into writing. At the present time, it is not yet mandatory
and the USDA does not yet have the authority to make it so but is
expected to ask Congress for that authority. This has far-reaching
impact and everyone needs to be aware the subject is under discussion
and review; but also know there is a group of llama and alpaca owners
working on your behalf. The one point which seems to be agreed upon so
far is that if an animal stays on the farm and does not move, it does
not require identification.
Traditionally, each person commenting during a hearing is given no more
than two or three minutes to comment and any questions they ask or
comments they have are addressed at the end of the session. Given that
the Colorado session was scheduled to be held on election day, a low
turnout for this is possible (but not guaranteed) and the session may
not go as long as time was forecast. However, RMLA members wishing to
file comments on the ID plan but unable to attend should be aware that
although USDA has said they will consider comments filed by e-mail,
specific instructions for having these comments included in the Colorado
hearing were not provided.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who plans on attending this
hearing in advance. I can be reached via e-mail at
mailto:teri@brokenwindmill.com or via telephone at 303-646-4373.
Teri Nilson Baird
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