Tennessee Department of Agriculture

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Safeguarding Agriculture: Premises and Animal Identification

The first step in implementing a national animal identification system (NAIS) is identifying and registering premises that are associated with the animal agriculture industry.

The number of animal disease outbreaks that have been reported around the globe over the past decade have greatly intensified public interest in developing a national animal identification program for the purpose of protecting animal health. The European Union, Canada, and Australia already have animal identification systems in place. A strong U.S. identification system is in increasing demand as a necessary component of our Nation's agricultural infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made the implementation of an NAIS one of its top priorities. When fully operational, the NAIS will be capable of tracking a sick animal or group of animals back to the herd or premises that is the most likely source of infection. The system will also be able to trace potentially exposed animals that were moved out from that herd or premises. The sooner animal health officials can identify infected and exposed animals and premises, the sooner they can contain the disease and stop its spread.

Since 9/11 and the potential threat of bioterrorism, the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom, and our recent experiences with BSE in the United States, our ability to track the spread of disease in this country has become really important. Our goal would be able to trace a disease outbreak within 48 hours. The NAIS has been developed to help us accomplish this goal. It would also strengthen the American consumer’s confidence in the safety of our food supply.

The NAIS is being implemented in two steps. Step one is the registration of premises housing cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, deer, elk, llama and emus within the State of Tennessee. Step two is individual animal identification and tracking. At least to start, we will concentrate on step one and register as many premises as possible.

To start the registration process, you can obtain a premises registration application form from your local Farm Service Agency office, Tennessee Farm Bureau office, local Tennessee Farmer's Co-Op Store, or UT Extension Office. You may also download the form from this website. The application form asks for information to set up an account so that you can access your account over the internet when we offer that capability. If you have more than one premises, please register it individually by completing another premises registration form. After the forms are processed, you will be mailed your unique premises ID number on a durable plastic card.

For more information, contact the State Veterinarian's office at (615) 837-5120 or email tnpremises.id@state.tn.us.