Angus Association And USDA Team Up On COOL
ST. JOSEPH - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a partnership with the American Angus Association that will facilitate the registration of up to 15,400 new premises as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).The premises registration component of NAIS ensures the availability of a nationwide communications network to assist livestock owners and animal health officials in the event of an animal disease event. More than 408,500 premises nationwide have been registered to date.
"This agreement marks another important step in our effort to protect animal health by implementing the National Animal Identification System," said Bruce Knight, under secretary for USDA's marketing and regulatory programs. "The American Angus Association has long supported NAIS. It is the best way for Angus breeders to protect the health of their herds in the face of a serious animal health threat."
Under the terms of the agreement announced today, the American Angus Association will utilize its resources to reach every association member and provide education about NAIS through the Angus Journal, Angus Beef Bulletin, Angus e-mail list, seminars, national events, affiliates and other associations. The American Angus Association has 26,000 active members, 8,000 junior members and 95,000 affiliate members. Founded in 1883, the association registered more than 347,000 head of cattle in 2006 as part of its registry program.
NAIS consists of three components: premises registration, animal identification and tracing. USDA previously announced similar cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations including the National Pork Board, the National FFA Organization, the U.S. Animal Identification Organization and IDairy, which was formed by the National Milk Producers Federation to promote NAIS in the dairy industry.
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