Agriculture's animal ID plan has some kicking up hooves

The chairwoman of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee expressed reservations about the Agriculture Department secretary's plan to turn much of the proposed national animal identification system over to the states.

"I am concerned that we are moving from a single system capable of integrating and analyzing information across state lines to a collection of over 50 smaller systems that rely on different technology will be less effective for national animal disease surveillance and response efforts," said Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in response to Secretary Tom Vilsack's plan, which was announced on Feb. 5.

Meanwhile, ranch and farm groups that opposed the mandatory national plan declared victory and packers expressed disappointment with Agriculture's announcement.

After the discovery of mad cow disease in the United States in 2003, the Bush administration put forward a plan to require tracking all meat animals so that disease outbreaks could be traced to their origin. Ranchers said the proposal would be costly and could make them liable for food-borne illnesses that were not their responsibility.

Vilsack announced that Agriculture will require tags on all animals in interstate commerce but that he would turn most of the operation over to state governments and that they could incorporate the system with other tagging programs used to fight brucellosis, tuberculosis and other diseases.

DeLauro has favored a national system but has been critical of Agriculture's difficulties in creating a system that ranchers would accept. She said in a release that she is encouraged that the department is formulating a detailed plan. But she added, "As the federal agency receiving funds, designing, and implementing the program, USDA needs to maintain accountability for a successful animal disease traceability system."

Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund-United Stockgrowers of America, a group that led the opposition to the mandatory, national system, said in an interview that he was "very pleased by this announcement." Bullard said the decision shows that Agriculture has "shifted away from the international marketing goal and to the more legitimate goal of controlling diseases."

Bullard also said he was also pleased that in a briefing with leaders of producer groups on Feb. 5, Vilsack said the department also would strengthen its border controls to make sure that diseases do not enter the country. Bullard said he did not expect producers to oppose an identification system for interstate commerce because they must already furnish certificates for brucellosis.

The U.S. Cattlemen's Association and the Western Organization of Resource Councils, which also opposed the Bush administration proposal, issued statements praising the decision. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a larger cattle group, said Vilsack's decision offers "a flexible approach to animal disease traceability, including greater state involvement and choices in the use of technology," but stressed the group favors a voluntary system.

Patrick Boyle, whose packer members contended the mandatory system would ensure food safety and reassure foreign buyers of U.S. meat, said in a release, "We are extremely disappointed by the failure to implement the national animal identification system that has been in development and by the prospect of waiting additional years before the United States has an effective animal identification system in place. We will continue to work with USDA and interested parties to support the development and implementation of a mandatory animal identification system."