[Federal Register: September 20, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 181)]
[Notices]
[Page 55101]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20se05-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 05-069-1]
Public Meeting; National Animal Identification System
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will hold a
public meeting concerning the animal movement tracking database
component for the National Animal Identification System. The purpose of
the meeting is to initiate dialogue about this initiative with industry
stakeholders, including representatives of national organizations that
represent livestock and poultry production sectors, livestock
producers, and other interested individuals. This notice provides
information on the discussion topics as well as the date, time, and
place of the meeting.
DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, from
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites
Kansas City--City Center, 1301 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, MO.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt, Coordinator,
National Animal Identification System, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit
200, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone (301) 734-0739, fax (301) 734-7963, or
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Animal Identification System
(NAIS) has made steady progress in 2005. Over 109,000 premises have
been registered in the NAIS, setting the foundation for the animal
identification components. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has
reviewed over 600 comments on the draft strategic plan and draft
program standards. There is significant support from the industry to
move forward as proposed in the draft strategic plan, in particular, to
implement a phased-in program in the proposed time frame. There was
also support, especially from cattle producers, for having the animal
tracking database maintained outside the Federal Government.
After considerable discussion regarding the design and
administration of the animal tracking database, we have concluded that
having multiple industry program databases ``feed'' a centralized,
privately held repository with all animal movement data can be achieved
and can meet the needs of our animal health programs.
To initiate the necessary dialogue with the industry, we will hold
a public meeting on October 12, 2005. At the meeting, we will discuss
the relationship between the industry and USDA that would have to be in
place for such a system to function effectively. Among the options to
be discussed is the formation of a new entity representing all sectors
of the production industry to lead the effort to develop, and provide
ongoing oversight of, a private animal tracking data repository. USDA
and State representatives will define the system specifications and
user requirements that the animal tracking database must meet to
support ongoing animal health surveillance programs and traceback
investigations.
Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of September 2005.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18760 Filed 9-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P