APHIS Factsheet

Veterinary Services

November 2004

National Animal
Identification System

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is
a national program intended to identify animals and
track them as they come into contact with, or
commingle with, animals other than herdmates from
their premises of origin.

The system is being developed for all animals
that will benefit from rapid tracebacks in the event of
a disease concern. Currently, working groups
comprised of industry and government
representatives are developing plans for cattle, swine,
sheep, goats, horses, poultry, bison, deer, elk, llamas,
and alpacas.

Already, many of these species can be identi-
fied through some sort of identification system, but
these systems are not consistent across the country.
Tracing an animal's movements can therefore be a
time-consuming endeavor during a disease
investigation, especially if the animal has moved
across State lines.

In April 2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) announced the framework for implementing
the NAlIS—an animal identification and tracking
system that will be used in all States and that will
operate under national standards. When fully
operational, the system will be capable of tracing a
sick animal or group of animals back to the herd or
premises that is the most likely source of infection. It
will also be able to trace potentially exposed animals
that were moved out from that herd or premises. The
sooner animal health officials can identify infected
and exposed animals and premises, the sooner they
can contain the disease and stop its spread.

The NAIS will enhance U.S. efforts to respond to
intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal
disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively.
USDA's long-term goal is to establish a system that
can identify all premises and animals that have had
direct contact with a foreign animal disease or a
domestic disease of concern within 48 hours of
discovery.

The first step in implementing the NAIS is
identifying and registering premises that house
animals. Such premises would include locations
where livestock and poultry are managed, marketed,
or exhibited. Knowing where animals are located is

the key to efficient, accurate, and cost-effective
epidemiologic investigations and disease—control
efforts.

USDA anticipates that all States will have the
capability to register premises according to the
national standards by 2005. Officials with USDA’s
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
are currently training State officials how to use a
standardized premises registration system. USDA is
also evaluating alternative registration systems that
States or others have developed and want to use, to
ensure these systems meet the national standards.
In addition, USDA is working with States and industry
to educate the public about the NAIS.

As premises are registered, another component
of the NAlS—animal identification—will be integrated
into the system. Unique animal identification
numbers (AINs) will be issued to individually
identified premises. In the case of animals that
move in groups through the production chain—such
as swine and poultry—the group will be identified
through a group/lot identification number
(Group/Lot IDs).

USDA is developing the standards for collecting
and reporting information, but industry will determine
which type of identification method works best for
each species. These methods could include radio
frequency identification tags, retinal scans, DNA, or
others. As long as the necessary data are sent to
USDA’s information repositories in a standardized
form, it will be accepted.

USDA will build upon existing identification sys-
tems and allow for a transition period from systems
currently defined in the Code of Federal Regulations
before requiring AINs or Group/Lot IDs. Working with
States and industry, USDA will also evaluate various
animal identification technologies to determine how
the collection of animal movement records can best
be automated.

As premises are registered and animals or
groups of animals are identified based on the
standard protocols, USDA will begin collecting infor-
mation about animal movements from one premises
to another. With an efficient, effective animal tracking
system in place, USDA will be able to perform rapid
tracebacks in case of an animal disease outbreak.
As envisioned, only Federal, State, and Tribal animal
health authorities would have direct access to the
national premises and animal identification
information repositories. They need this information
to accomplish their job of safeguarding animal health.


USDA is investigating various options to protect
the confidentiality of the information. It is important to
note that the national repositories will include
information only for animal and disease tracking
purposes. Proprietary production data will remain in
private databases.

If USDA decides to make all or parts of the NAIS
mandatory, APHIS will follow the normal rulemaking
process. The public will have the opportunity to
comment upon any proposed regulations.

Additional Information
Learn more about the NAIS at
http://www.usda.gov/nais.

The U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orienta-
tion, 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.

United States Department of Agriculture * Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Sa feg uar ding American Agricul

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