Branding Review

Issue #1: NAISNational Animal Identification System

Animal SciencePrinciples of Industry

Issues in Animal Agriculture

NAIS

• National Animal Identification System• Current events led to NAIS in 2004– Cow originally from Canada with BSE (mad cow)

found in Washington– Other countries ban US beef imports

Why a National ID System?

1. Increase Consumer Confidence

- Food safety

2. Ensure Market Access- International

recognition- Increase exports- Avoid trade barriers

Why a National ID System?

3. Animal Health- Preventing further

spread

4. Bio Security- Agroterrorism- Epidemic/Pandemic

NAIS

• NAIS Purpose: Maintaining HEALTH of the livestock in the United States is the most urgent issue for the industry

• NAIS Goal: Identify animals and premises that had direct contact with an animal disease of concern (FAD) within 48 hours after detection.

NAIS

Essential Components• National Premises Identification System• Individual Animal Identification System• Essential information transfer

NAIS

Premise Identification• Premise: a location with an address, livestock

and/or livestock handling facilities– applicable to all livestock species– 7-character alphanumeric number– National Premises Number Allocator– Managed by states

NAIS

Which “Premises” need a Premise ID number?• Farms and Ranches• Livestock Shows• Livestock Markets• Feedlots• Processing Facilities• Veterinary Clinics• Collection Points

NAIS Today

• Not federally mandated, but still in progress• Operated state by state

NAIS: The Controversy

• Huge negative response to NAIS from many different organizations and individuals

NAIS: The Controversy

• Case again NAIS– Will add cost to small farmers/ranchers– Add government bureaucracy– Require additional labor, stress, equipment

NAIS: The Controversy

• Case again NAIS (continued)– Invasion of privacy– Will affect religious

groups• Example: Amish

– Favors large, “corporate” agribusinesses at the expense of local and organic producers

So What’s the Right Answer?

• No clear right or wrong here!• Your task:– Write a ‘letter to the editor’ of your local

periodical explaining why others should support OR not support NAIS

– Your letter should be 250-500 words in length

– Begin!