National Animal Identification Plan for Minnesota Horse
Premises and Owners
November 15, 2005
History
Animal identification is not a new concept in the United States. Several livestock species have had identification processes in place since the early 1940’s to indicate ownership and deter theft. It is common for horses to be branded, tattooed, registered with different breed organizations, and/or have a DNA record on file. However, there is no uniform, nation-wide animal identification system in place for all livestock, which includes horses.
Goal
of National Animal Identification System (NAIS)
Identify all animals and premises that have had direct contact with a foreign animal disease or a domestic disease of concern within 48 hours after discovery. Ensuring animal health in the US, and thereby our ability to market animals, is the primary reason the animal agriculture industry is looking at a national, standardized, identification system.
Most individuals recognize that finding potentially sick or exposed animals early in a disease outbreak is essential to containing the disease. NAIS would allow for rapid tracing of animals during an outbreak situation, helping to limit the scope and expense of the outbreak and minimizing the impact on domestic and foreign livestock markets.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the government agency in charge of NAIS. In Minnesota, the Board of Animal Health (BAH) and State Veterinarians are working with APHIS to carryout the program.
NAIS is being developed for animal industries that will benefit from having a system that will facilitate rapid tracing in the event of a disease concern, regardless of intended use (i.e. meat, recreational, 4-H or commercial animals). Currently, the animal groups include: Llamas and alpacas, cattle and bison, deer and elk, horses, goats, sheep, poultry and swine.
Serious animal diseases that affect the health of livestock and the export markets will be tracked. These include diseases that are passed within livestock species and between livestock and humans. We are fortunate in our country to have high quality horse health care with limits the potential for diseases.
Obtain a Premises ID Number.
premises registration is the first priority and the backbone of the NAIS program. Any premises involved with housing or commingling of horses (or any livestock) or horse commerce and movement should register for a unique 7-digit premises id number. These include, but are not limited to: farms and ranches, hobby farms and residential properties with small horse herds; sale barns; indoor and outdoor show arenas; breeding and training facilities; vet clinics; state, country, and local trails; and fairgrounds. Premises id numbers are important because in a disease emergency, animal health authorities need immediate premises location data to ensure disease investigation progresses rapidly and efficiently.
Registering your premises id number is FREE and EASY. You can register for your premises id number on-line (Minnesota Residents ONLY) at http://www.bah.state.mn.us/index/nais/registration.htm. You can also contact the BAH office to register over the telephone (651-296-2942, ext: 17) or be mailed a registration card. Currently, livestock owners are not required to register their premises, but as of January of 2008, premises registration will become mandatory.
The premises information obtained (only basic information that is needed for effective disease detection and control) will be kept confidential and will only be used by federal and state animal health officials to administer animal health programs at the state and national levels, and during emergency situations. Minnesota has passed state legislation mandating that this information be kept confidential, unless a foreign or a domestic disease outbreak of concern occurs in the state. If a disease outbreak occurs, limited information will be given to the general public to ensure safety, limit the spread of infections, and limit the impact on livestock markets.