[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 55101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18760]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 05-069-1]


Public Meeting; National Animal Identification System

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will hold a 
public meeting concerning the animal movement tracking database 
component for the National Animal Identification System. The purpose of 
the meeting is to initiate dialogue about this initiative with industry 
stakeholders, including representatives of national organizations that 
represent livestock and poultry production sectors, livestock 
producers, and other interested individuals. This notice provides 
information on the discussion topics as well as the date, time, and 
place of the meeting.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, from 
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites 
Kansas City--City Center, 1301 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, MO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt, Coordinator, 
National Animal Identification System, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
200, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone (301) 734-0739, fax (301) 734-7963, or 
e-mail: Neil.E.Hammerschmidt @aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Animal Identification System 
(NAIS) has made steady progress in 2005. Over 109,000 premises have 
been registered in the NAIS, setting the foundation for the animal 
identification components. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has 
reviewed over 600 comments on the draft strategic plan and draft 
program standards. There is significant support from the industry to 
move forward as proposed in the draft strategic plan, in particular, to 
implement a phased-in program in the proposed time frame. There was 
also support, especially from cattle producers, for having the animal 
tracking database maintained outside the Federal Government.
    After considerable discussion regarding the design and 
administration of the animal tracking database, we have concluded that 
having multiple industry program databases ``feed'' a centralized, 
privately held repository with all animal movement data can be achieved 
and can meet the needs of our animal health programs.
    To initiate the necessary dialogue with the industry, we will hold 
a public meeting on October 12, 2005. At the meeting, we will discuss 
the relationship between the industry and USDA that would have to be in 
place for such a system to function effectively. Among the options to 
be discussed is the formation of a new entity representing all sectors 
of the production industry to lead the effort to develop, and provide 
ongoing oversight of, a private animal tracking data repository. USDA 
and State representatives will define the system specifications and 
user requirements that the animal tracking database must meet to 
support ongoing animal health surveillance programs and traceback 
investigations.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of September 2005.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18760 Filed 9-19-05; 8:45 am]
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