Two Minnesota agriculture officials are urging Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to set aside the bogged-down debate about the National Animal Identification System and resume the discussion about implementation. In a letter to Vilsack, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Minnesota State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann suggested a greater emphasis on practical issues related to development of a modern, high-quality animal traceability system that respects producer privacy concerns while also providing animal health officials with timely information needed to fight animal diseases and foodborne illnesses.
The letter urged greater involvement of state animal health officials, citing their role as first responders to animal diseases. The officials said this role makes it vital for state responders to build and maintain accurate and updated information systems with producer contacts and livestock premises information. The letter points out that a less centralized system with greater state involvement may be easier for some producers to accept.
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