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Cattle industry remains divided on traceability

Traceability continues to be a widely discussed topic in the cattle industry, but producers remain divided.  

Illinois veterinarian Buzz Iliff, president of the Illinois Beef Association says if the US is going to continue to be a successful player in the global market, embracing traceability will be crucial.  “Because of some of the foreign animal disease threats from African swine fever to Foot and Mouth disease it’s critical we at least know where the livestock is in our state,” he says.  

AUDIO: Buzz Iliff, president Illinois Beef Association

Indiana cattle producer and Region One vice president Tim Schwab says after several years of a successful mandatory PremiseID for cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and cervids in his home state of Indiana – it just makes sense.  “You know if we do have a disease outbreak – we can contain it we can keep the spread of it pretty localized and the response will be a lot quicker,” he says.  

AUDIO: Tim Schwab, Indiana beef producer

Iliff says there are some cattle producers who are still reluctant to support it because of privacy concerns. To that, he says, “it’s not going to infringe on those rights at all.”

While support for a national traceability program has increased – NCBA does not have an official position on it.