Animal Health Issues

Current News and Highlights for Animal Health

NMPF Comments on Traceability System

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a proposed rule to establish general regulations for improving the traceability of U.S. livestock moving interstate when animal disease events take place.

Under the proposed rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates. The proposed rule encourages the use of low-cost technology and specifies approved forms of official identification for each species, such as metal eartags for cattle. However, recognizing the importance and prevalence of other identifications in certain regions, shipping and receiving states or tribes are permitted to agree upon alternative forms of identification such as brands or tattoos.

NMPF submitted comments on the proposed rule and those can be viewed here.

 

FARM Participation Now Available

 

The National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management announced in September 2010 that participation information was available to cooperatives, proprietary processors and producers. This officially launches the second phase of the implementation process, which includes the start of on-farm evaluations for participating producers.

The National Dairy FARM Program Animal Care video is available online. The video highlights best management practices for a variety of issues, including animal health, environment and facilities, animal nutrition, and transportation and handling.

Click here to participate in FARM.

You may also watch the FARM videos (available in English and in Spanish). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resource Center for the Dairy Industry on Animal Health