Deadline Extended for Comments on Proposed National Animal ID System - US - The National Animal Identification Development Team is extending the comment period through Jan. 31, 2004, for the proposed U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP).

The plan is a product of a joint industry-state-federal partnership that would develop a national system to permit identification of individual animals, the premises on which they are located and the date of entry to those premises.

A working outline of the animal ID plan was presented at the U.S. Animal Health Association meeting in October 2003 and USAIP species working groups are being formed to structure the details of the plan. Among the areas to be developed: infrastructure needs, preferred identification technologies and a "road map" on how current animal ID systems might be integrated into USAIP.

To facilitate that effort, the working groups are seeking input from industry stakeholders, according to USAIP officials.

Comments, suggestions and questions on the USAIP may be submitted online (www.usaip.info), faxed to (719) 538-8847 or sent via surface mail to:

USAIP Comments,
660 Southpointe Court,
Suite 314,
Colorado Springs CO 80906

Source: American Meat Institute (AMI) - 8th December 2003