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U.S. Cattlemen’s Association opposes mandatory animal ID

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association says there’s much more to the animal identification discussion than producers tagging livestock.  That was among the comments submitted by the cattle producers group in response to ongoing producer stakeholder meetings on the Animal Disease Traceability system.  The USDA has held public meetings soliciting feedback about successes and challenges of the current traceability system.

U.S. Cattlemen’s President Kenny Graner says tracking animals occurs regularly via health papers, bills of sale, brand inspections and herd tags.  He says that as producers look to global trade, they have to be ready with a traceability system that allows U.S. beef into the international market.  He says the organization remains opposed to a privatized, mandatory animal ID system.

Graner says the conversation has to include traceability in terms of accurate disease tracebacks, effective recordkeeping and efficient and affordable technology.