NCBA Officers’ Forum on Trade & Animal ID
Officers present status of NAIS and answer to concerns of the membership.
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| Allen Bright answering questions at the NBCA officers Forum. |
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (Feb. 3, 2005) — The officers of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) gathered together to update members on the status of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and what NCBA is doing to prepare the beef industry for its realities.
The officers used the general session at the 2005 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in San Antonio Feb. 3 to address how the NAIS affects the beef industry and NCBA’s plans for to dealing with it.
One of the central concerns throughout the forum was how the database of animal movement information would be maintained. Many members felt uncomfortable having the data in the hands of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reasoning that as a government agency it would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
Others voiced concern that if the information were maintained privately, such as by a software company, it would be subject to buying and reselling in the case of a merger or the company’s going out of business.
NCBA officers responded by saying they were working with USDA to develop a way for them to use the data if necessary (as in cases of traceback for animal disease), yet still maintain the privacy of cattlemen. They noted that the identification (ID) database would most likely be maintained by a consortium of some kind.
Members noted concerns about who would foot the bill for the NAIS. Several suggested that a tax credit of some kind would be helpful. Others said a market-driven incentive was needed. NCBA President Jan Lyons said the organization is “committed to keeping the cost not overburdensome.”
In response to some who questioned whether the NAIS was an undue burden forced upon cattlemen, Lyons said producers can treat it as a tool for their benefit, especially all the data that will be collected. “Age verification is going to be extremely important as we look to regain our export markets,” Lyons said.
— by Brooke Byrd, assistant editor, , Angus Productions Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Angus Productions Inc.
Editor’s Note: This article was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API), which claims copyright to this article. It may not be published or distributed without the express permission of Angus Productions Inc. To request reprint permission and guidelines, contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at (816) 383-5270 or shermel@angusjournal.com.
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