Premises Identification
Protecting American animal agriculture by safeguarding animal health is vital to the wellbeing of all US citizens. It promotes human health; provides wholesome, reliable, and secure food resources; mitigates national economic threats; and enhances a sustainable environment. Essential to achieving this goal is an efficient and effective animal and premises identification program.
Louisiana is building upon previously established and successful animal health and animal identification programs involving many animal industry-state-federal partnerships. The goal of premises and animal identification is to more uniformly coordinate a national animal identification plan with all states. More than 100 animal industry and state-federal government professionals representing more than 70 allied associations/organizations collectively assessed and suggested workable improvements to meet further U.S. animal identification needs.
Fundamental to controlling any disease threat, foreign or domestic, to the nation’s animal resources is to have a system that can identify individual animals or groups, the premises where they are located, and the date of entry to that premises. Further, in order to achieve optimal success in controlling or eradicating an animal health threat, the ability to retrieve that information within 48 hours of confirmation of a disease outbreak and to implement intervention strategies is necessary.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is committed to this program. We aim to use state of the art national and international standards with the best available and practical technologies. We also want to make it as easy as possible to Louisiana’s agricultural industry—whether plants or animals. Therefore, we are asking you to voluntarily provide data on names, physical addresses, mailing address and the type of animals you raise. These standards will apply to all animals across the nation by 2006 regardless of their intended use as seedstock, commercial, pets or other personal uses.
It is well acknowledged that costs associated with the Louisiana premises identification program will be substantial. Significant state and federal costs will be incurred in overseeing, maintaining, updating, and improving necessary infrastructure. Continued efforts will be required to seek federal and state financial support for this integral component of safeguarding animal health in protecting American animal agriculture.
It is hoped that you, as a member of Louisiana’s agricultural community will support our initial efforts in this voluntary program. Please feel free to contact us.