Agricultural News
AVMA Questions Dropping Animal ID Program
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:50:34 CST
A recent decision by USDA to scrap a national animal identification system could seriously hinder U.S. veterinarians' ability to track diseased animals and prevent the spread of those diseases. Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association, says - by having an animal ID program in place, we can more quickly contain and eliminate disease. According to DeHaven - doing so not only minimizes economic impact, but by minimizing the number of animals affected, we reduce animal suffering.
DeHaven is also critical of the USDA announcement that cattle branding—an outdated form of theft deterrent—will be an acceptable form of animal identification in the new system. DeHaven says - it's hard for me to imagine how this ancient technology will fit into a modern, interstate system to trace animals.
A new proposed system will be administered by individual states and tribal nations. Each will be allowed to use its own system of identification. Dr. DeHaven questions if - these programs will be compatible with each other. He asks, - will we actually be able to trace animals as they move from state to state with different systems in each state or tribal nation?
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