The Evolution of the

National Animal

Identification

System in the

United States

A Tradition of Animal Identification

Animal identification has been around in some

form or fashion for centuries. Cattle branding, for

example, is one of the earliest known forms of 

livestock identification.

Back in the 1940s, the predecessor agency of the

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) initiated an

extensive program to identify cattle vaccinated for

brucellosis. The official brucellosis vaccination tag

and ear tattoo provided the United States with a 

highly successful animal identification program for

cattle for decades. Since brucellosis is close to being

eradicated in the United States, however, that system

of tagging and identification is being phased out 

rapidly.

Animal identification did not start or stop with 

brucellosis. Cattle branding was in practice long

before the brucellosis program began. Right now,

several other animal health programs include an 

animal identification component, and certain classes

of livestock must be officially identified before 

entering interstate commerce. In addition, some 

animals must be identified before they can compete

in shows or race on a track. So, there are multiple

identification systems in place that exist for different

purposes, but there is no nationwide animal 

identification system for all animals of any given

species.

Animal identification is worthwhile to producers

and animal owners for various reasons, including 

performance recording and marketing opportunities.

However, APHIS is focused on animal identification

for one reason alone: to establish the animal 

information foundation the agency needs to support

its animal disease control, eradication, monitoring,

and surveillance programs.

Individuals associated with animal industries 

recognize that finding potentially sick or exposed 

animals early in a disease outbreak is essential to

containing the disease quickly. The national animal

identification system (NAIS) will allow rapid tracing of

animals during an outbreak situation, helping to limit

the scope and expense of the outbreak and allowing

APHIS to minimize the impact on domestic and 

foreign markets. The NAIS will also be critical as

APHIS works to complete disease eradication 

programs in which the Federal government, States,

and industry have invested many years and millions

of dollars.

The NAIS is being developed for animal 

industries that will benefit from having a system in

place that facilitates rapid tracing in the event of a

disease concern. Currently, working groups are

developing plans for alpacas and llamas, bison, cattle

(beef and dairy), deer and elk, horses, goats, poultry,

sheep, and swine.

Recent History: A Cooperative Effort

Between Industry and Government

The plan for implementing the NAIS was already

well underway when a case of bovine spongiform

encephalopathy was detected in the United States in

December 2003. With that in mind, USDA

announced shortly after the finding that it would

expedite the implementation of a verifiable national

animal identification system. The NAIS has evolved

over the course of several years with input from many

sources. It continues to be refined and approved.

In 2002, APHIS officials worked with various 

organizations, including the National Institute for

Animal Agriculture and the U.S. Animal Health

Association, to help draft an animal identification

plan. By 2003, this preliminary work plan was

expanded upon by various State, Federal, and 

industry groups, resulting in the initial draft of the

U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP). Although

early versions of the USAIP focused on food animals

only, other nontraditional livestock species—such as

alpacas, llamas, and horses—were incorporated into

the plan.

The USAIP plan was an important step in moving

toward the implementation of the NAIS. In particular,

USDA is drawing from some of the data standards

first established in the USAIP. However, the USAIP

should not be viewed as an exact blueprint for the

NAIS. USDA will continue to seek input from industry

and other interested parties throughout the design

and implementation of the NAIS. USDA will also post

updates to its Web site as the system moves forward

(http://www.usda.gov/nais).

Factsheet

Veterinary Services January 2005

APHIS
The NAIS is continually evolving as those 

responsible for its implementation receive input from

various sources. For example, policymakers will

incorporate the results of research being carried out

through cooperative agreements between USDA and

States and Tribes, and they will also review 

information submitted as part of an advance notice of

proposed rulemaking or through USDA listening 

sessions. In addition, they will work to integrate 

recommendations they receive from various groups

and organizations.

Additional Information

More information on the NAIS is available online

at http://www.usda.gov/nais.

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in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.