National Animal ID System

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a national program intended to identify specific animals in the United States and record their movement over their lifetime. It is being developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and State agencies - in cooperation with industry - to enable 48-hour traceback of the movements of any diseased or exposed animal. This will help to ensure rapid disease containment and maximum protection of America's animals.

The NAIS is composed of three parts, Premise Registration, Animal Identification, and Animal Tracking.

Premises registration, the foundation of NAIS, is fundamental to containing animal diseases. Your voluntary participation means that you will be notified quickly when a disease outbreak or other animal health event might put your animals at risk. Choosing to register your premises is an easy way to protect your investment and your community.

Animal Identification: Depending on your situation, you may choose to participate in animal identification, the second component of the voluntary NAIS. Animal identification, whether individual or group/lot, provides producers and owners like you with a uniform numbering system for their animals to help manage them more closely.

The individual animal identification number (AIN) is unique and stays with the animal for its lifetime. This number links the animal to its birthplace or premises of origin; when combined with animal tracing, the AIN also links the animal to each premises/location that has been reported for it.

Animal Tracking:The final NAIS component, animal tracing, is under development by the States and private sector. Once this component is complete, animal tracing will offer an additional option to improve animal management and better protect animal health.

You will be able to choose an animal tracking database (owned and operated by private industry groups or States) and report certain animal movements that might pose a significant risk of disease transmission. When there is a disease outbreak or other animal health event, the animal tracking databases provide timely, accurate records that show where your animals have been and what other animals have come into contact with them.

Food For Thought: (links to interesting discussions or web sites about Animal ID).

Locate in 48: Premise Registration program for Nebraska and other agricultural states.

Cooperative Living, Say Yes to NAIS A Veterinarians view of the National Animal ID program.

NIAA: Helping the animal agriculture industry to obtain information, education and solutions for challenges facing animal agriculture.

USDA Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)