Congress hears ag groups argue NAIS implementation

Dissent and disagreement within the agricultural community about the future of the national animal identification program came through loud and clear during Congressional hearings last week. Animal identification, lauded by some farm groups as absolutely necessary to protect the food supply and criticized by others as a flawed program that will threaten farmers’ livelihoods, was debated before a House agriculture subcommittee March 11. The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry heard testimony that battled both sides of the issue. Subcommittee chair David Scott of Georgia told those in attendance that his personal belief was that the National Animal Identification System was “necessary” and “carries with it many benefits for producers, processors, and consumers,” including measures to keep livestock protected from disease outbreaks. Scott also said the system could save the government money while maintaining food supply safety. Livestock commodity groups, including the National Pork Producers Council and IDairy, a coalition of six U.S. dairy organizations, said a national identification system would help keep American farms viable and urged Congress to support and fund the initiative. Of specific interest to both groups were federal and state disease surveillance abilities, which they admitted would work only if and when all animals and herds are identified in a central, national database...Farm & Dairy