US multi-species animal identification database
2005年8月8日
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association announced recently that an industry-supported multi-species animal identification database could be in place by January 1 2006. That will be three years ahead of the timetable for USDA's National Animal Identification System.
The NCBA animal identification commission announced in July 2005 that it had chosen a team led by BearingPoint, Inc. to be the lead technology consultant for its industry-based animal ID program. Working with ViaTrace, Microsoft and S&H Marketing, BearingPoint will provide the platform for information storage for the program. Beta-test is slated to be complete by October 2005. The commission includes cattlemen from Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas.
NCBA chose to lead the initiative because its members want to protect producer rights and confidentiality. "While federal and state animal health authorities will be able to access relevant parts of this database to trace back in the event of a disease outbreak or animal health-related incident, the data will remain the property of the individual and stored with a multi-species consortium to maintain confidentiality," animal ID coordinator Allen Bright elaborated.
"Animal identification is a top priority for all sectors of the beef industry," Bright continued. "Seeing an increased emphasis from consumers, feeders, packers, channel operators, international trading partners and federal and state government authorities, the commission feels that having an identification program in place by fall of 2005 is essential. Many of our domestic and international customers are requesting identification already, and we believe a market-driven solution is quicker and better protected than a bureaucratic, government solution." It opposes having a government led scheme.
Mike John, NCBA president-elect and chairman of the animal ID commission, stressed that the consortium would not be a revenue generator for any livestock organization, including NCBA. In addition to formation of the consortium, next steps include creating the funding mechanism and formation of business rules.
"NCBA members gave us a clear directive in terms of animal ID," said John. "They did not want us to sit and wait for a government-imposed program that had the very real potential of making confidential information available to a whole host of non-industry parties. They wanted an industry solution that added value, minimized costs and protected their confidentiality — and they wanted it sooner rather than later. NCBA continues to deliver on this promise."
More information is available at www.beefusa.org/AnimalID.aspx.