Farm animal ID due by 2008
ILLNOIS - In three years, Illinois livestock producers and their cohorts will be required by law to have an identification number for their farm.They'll also have to individually identify every animal they own and report any movement of their animals from their farm.
"This is something we've supported as we have debated between animal ID versus food labeling. We think the ID program is better for the longevity of our industry," said Jim Kaitschuk, Illinois Pork Producers Association executive director.
While Kaitschuk said the implementation timeline is aggressive, mandatory identification should be achieved by 2008. He said the comment period should answer lingering questions of who pays for the program, confidentiality issues and how data gets accepted into the system.
"USDA understands these issues. This is clearly the direction we need to go. It provides information for consumers, but it also protects producers from a disease outbreak that could devastate the industry," said Kaitschuk.
Source: Pantagraph.com
10 May 2005
1 minute read
