| Oregon NAIS frequently asked questions |
 |
|
|
 |
| Why do we need both NAIS and brand inspections? |
|
Most other states do not have a brand inspection program. There is no common standard with each state. There is no shared communication regarding brand inspection on a national level.
We believe in Oregon that both the Animal Identification Program that we use (i.e., Brand Inspection Program) and the new NAIS could mesh together very well. It is not anticipated that the national system will replace brand inspection because it is designed for different purposes; ownership versus animal tracking. We also see in some cases the livestock brand acting as the animal identification
in NAIS.
|
|
|
| Do I have to register my premises? |
|
No this is still a voluntary program. But we are encouraging everyone to register their premises now. Registering your premises does not obligate you to participate in any other aspect of the national program at this time. Of course, if the national program becomes mandatory, then your participation will be required.
|
|
|
| How will the national ID system help me? |
|
The bottom line is protecting your livelihood by reducing animal disease risk and maintaining market access. If we can record animal movements from producer's farms and ranches, livestock markets and all other ship-to and ship-from locations, our ability to respond to a disease outbreak will be stronger than ever before.
|
|
|
| Will NAIS require that all animals be tagged individually? |
|
No. Group/lot ID is an option for producers depending on the circumstances. If a producer chooses to participate in the voluntary NAIS for a group of animals and utilizes the group/lot identification
method and later removes an animal from the group, that animal should then be identified individually.
|
|
|
| What about tracking animal movements? |
|
Animal tracking databases, approved by the USDA and operated by companies, associations or other entities, will hold livestock and poultry movement information. This data will be accessed by animal health regulatory agencies for disease control purposes
|
|
|
| As a producer, what's this going to cost me? |
|
For all producers, the costs associated with NAIS will vary and are somewhat connected to their involvement with each of NAIS' three parts: premises registration, animal identification, and the animal tracking databases.
In Oregon premises registration is free. Many producers may choose to participate only in the premises registration component. If so, participation would result in minimal to no expense for them. Other costs associated with NAIS only arise when a producer voluntarily chooses to identify individual animals or groups of animals.
For producers who choose to apply official identification numbers/devices to their animals, the costs would vary with the number and type of animal identification used. Some livestock
already require identification for disease control purposes, and USDA is working to incorporate existing ID systems into NAIS. Animals identified under such existing systems may not bring
additional costs for some producers.
Because the animal tracking database infrastructure is still being developed, and it is to be privately held, it is difficult to discuss costs for this part of NAIS with any accuracy. One speculation is that producers will have various options to choose from and that competition among databases providers will help keep costs down. Again, these costs would only apply to those producers who voluntarily choose to participate in an animal-tracking database.
|
|
|
| What if I have livestock at several non-contiguous locations? |
|
Sometimes, a livestock production enterprise contains multiple non-contiguous locations. Some of the locations are permanent facilities while other sites are used temporarily like public lands for grazing. At a minimum, home place needs to be registered for the operator to obtain a unique premises identification number. However, operators are encouraged to register all additional
locations at this time.
It may be possible to include multiple locations as separate perations under one PIN at some time in the future. The advantage ould be fewer PINs to manage. The disadvantage is that if quarantine is needed, it will likely involve all locations included under one PIN. It should be noted that registering multiple PINs may not eliminate the need to quarantine all locations as movement of personnel or equipment can also spread disease.
|
|
|
| If I sell property, what happens to the premises ID number? |
|
Once a premises is entered into the national databank the PIN remains with that physical location, even following a change of ownership. A premises (property) will be retired only if its land use changes from animal agriculture to another use such as retail development, etc.
|
|
|
| What if my grazing pastures extend into another state? |
|
Each state is responsible for managing premises within their state. You will need to contact both state departments of agriculture. If a property crosses state lines, but is managed by the same operator as part of a livestock operation, it may be sufficient to obtain a PIN from one state that will be allowed by the other state. In these cases, the property owner/manager should contact the appropriate authority in each state where the property lies and explain the situation to determine how best to proceed with premises identification.
Each state is responsible for managing premises. You will need to contact the other state department of agriculture.
|
|
|
|
