NCBA Supports New USDA Traceability Rule

Electronic ID tags may be the only thing standing between a national catastrophe and a rapid response to an animal disease outbreak in the U.S. That’s according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in defense of a new USDA traceability rule.
NCBA says some groups argue electronic ID tags are unnecessary or too burdensome, but it counters that clinging to “outdated” manual tags puts the entire industry “at risk.”
NCBA believes USDA’s new rule which was finalized in April will allow breeding cattle 18 months or older crossing state lines to be tracked more quickly in the event of foot and mouth or other emergencies.
Earlier this year, NCBA immediate past president Todd Wilkinson from South Dakota warned of an FMD disaster.
Cost is an issue, but Congress approved 15 million dollars this year to help producers afford electronic ID tags and avert possibly billions in economic losses.
Data privacy is the other concern. But NCBA wants private third-party firms, rather than USDA, to hold data, protecting producer privacy while also allowing rapid traceback if there’s a disease outbreak.
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