To National Animal
Identification System
Stakeholders:
On October 16, 2005, we convened a stakeholder
meeting in Kansas City, MO, to provide you with
information—as well as hear your thoughts—regarding
the planned animal movement tracking database
under the National Animal Identification System
(NAIS). As you know, in August, 2005, United States
Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns
announced that under the NAIS, animal movement
tracking information would be collected and held in a
database designed by our animal industry partners.
This decision was in keeping with USDA's commitment
that the NAIS be a true Federal-State-industry
partnership.
In delivering my remarks during the stakeholder
meeting, I stressed that it was our preference that
the various animal industry groups come together to
form a legal entity responsible for designing and
implementing a single animal movement tracking
database. I then went on to say that USDA would
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the consortium outlining the specifics of the
partnership, as well as our requirements for the database—
namely reliability; no user fees for State or
Federal access to the database; and uninterrupted
access to the system.
We benefited greatly from the ensuing discussion
with you, especially regarding your questions and
comments on the potential for there to be several different
animal tracking databases, perhaps for each
animal industry group. In response, I said that USDA
would remain open to weighing such options.
Since the stakeholder meeting, my staff and I
have been looking closely at the issue of multiple
animal movement tracking databases. It remains our
goal as well to ensure that the privatization of the
animal movement tracking database progresses in as
timely a manner as possible.
Therefore, regarding the animal movement tracking
component of NAIS, we are now proposing a
metadata repository that USDA would develop and
maintain; this potentially will allow us to work with
multiple databases collecting information on animal
movement. In very basic terms, metadata is an information
technology solution that stores data about
data.
This solution, referenced at the public meeting as
a "single portal" option, could very well provide an
effective means for USDA's Animal Plant and Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) to send queries for
animal movement records only to those databases
that have information on a subject animal or animals.
This enhances the efficiency of any potential animal
disease investigation. Additionally, it would provide a
single format, as well as technology standard
requirements, helping APHIS interface or communicate
with the participating database systems. We will
thoroughly evaluate the metadata technology solution
prior to any actual development.
As we make progress in finalizing the solution
and developing the system requirements, we will
begin evaluating the animal movement tracking databases
of organizations wanting to participate in the
NAIS. The process will involve confirming that the
defined data elements are compliant with the NAIS
standards; that the technology architecture meets the
technical requirements; and that the proposed databases
submitted to us for review meet the other
criteria we have set. Then, if all is in order, we would
initiate a formal agreement (rather than a single
MOU) with each entity responsible for the databases.
The agreement would also detail access rights, as
well as safeguards for preserving historic data if the
organization discontinues operation of the database
or ceases business. If and when the agreement is
finalized, those databases would be noted as
authorized or compliant animal tracking systems in
the NAIS.
I recently outlined these developments as part of
the remarks that I delivered during the American
Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting conference
in Nashville, TN, in early January. This update
was warmly received by the Farm Bureau, and I
hope that you view it as a positive step, as well.
As I have said from the outset, development of
an effective NAIS requires the continued partnership
of USDA, the States, and industry. We remain open
and receptive to all proposals, which will move development
of the NAIS forward as expeditiously as possible.
I, and my staff are committed to working with
you to make the NAIS as effective as possible, and
have the system in place in this country as soon as
possible.
Stakeholders Announcement
Veterinary Services January 26, 2005
APHIS
Safeguarding American Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • United States Department of Agriculture •
Thank you for your continued interest and efforts
in this regard. Do not hesitate to contact me or Neil
Hammerschmidt, our NAIS coordinator, should you
have any questions or need any additional information
at this time. Our NAIS Web site,
http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml, contains
much more information as well.
John R. Clifford
Deputy Administrator
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation,
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part
of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons
with disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or
(202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
Identification System
Stakeholders:
On October 16, 2005, we convened a stakeholder
meeting in Kansas City, MO, to provide you with
information—as well as hear your thoughts—regarding
the planned animal movement tracking database
under the National Animal Identification System
(NAIS). As you know, in August, 2005, United States
Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns
announced that under the NAIS, animal movement
tracking information would be collected and held in a
database designed by our animal industry partners.
This decision was in keeping with USDA's commitment
that the NAIS be a true Federal-State-industry
partnership.
In delivering my remarks during the stakeholder
meeting, I stressed that it was our preference that
the various animal industry groups come together to
form a legal entity responsible for designing and
implementing a single animal movement tracking
database. I then went on to say that USDA would
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the consortium outlining the specifics of the
partnership, as well as our requirements for the database—
namely reliability; no user fees for State or
Federal access to the database; and uninterrupted
access to the system.
We benefited greatly from the ensuing discussion
with you, especially regarding your questions and
comments on the potential for there to be several different
animal tracking databases, perhaps for each
animal industry group. In response, I said that USDA
would remain open to weighing such options.
Since the stakeholder meeting, my staff and I
have been looking closely at the issue of multiple
animal movement tracking databases. It remains our
goal as well to ensure that the privatization of the
animal movement tracking database progresses in as
timely a manner as possible.
Therefore, regarding the animal movement tracking
component of NAIS, we are now proposing a
metadata repository that USDA would develop and
maintain; this potentially will allow us to work with
multiple databases collecting information on animal
movement. In very basic terms, metadata is an information
technology solution that stores data about
data.
This solution, referenced at the public meeting as
a "single portal" option, could very well provide an
effective means for USDA's Animal Plant and Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) to send queries for
animal movement records only to those databases
that have information on a subject animal or animals.
This enhances the efficiency of any potential animal
disease investigation. Additionally, it would provide a
single format, as well as technology standard
requirements, helping APHIS interface or communicate
with the participating database systems. We will
thoroughly evaluate the metadata technology solution
prior to any actual development.
As we make progress in finalizing the solution
and developing the system requirements, we will
begin evaluating the animal movement tracking databases
of organizations wanting to participate in the
NAIS. The process will involve confirming that the
defined data elements are compliant with the NAIS
standards; that the technology architecture meets the
technical requirements; and that the proposed databases
submitted to us for review meet the other
criteria we have set. Then, if all is in order, we would
initiate a formal agreement (rather than a single
MOU) with each entity responsible for the databases.
The agreement would also detail access rights, as
well as safeguards for preserving historic data if the
organization discontinues operation of the database
or ceases business. If and when the agreement is
finalized, those databases would be noted as
authorized or compliant animal tracking systems in
the NAIS.
I recently outlined these developments as part of
the remarks that I delivered during the American
Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting conference
in Nashville, TN, in early January. This update
was warmly received by the Farm Bureau, and I
hope that you view it as a positive step, as well.
As I have said from the outset, development of
an effective NAIS requires the continued partnership
of USDA, the States, and industry. We remain open
and receptive to all proposals, which will move development
of the NAIS forward as expeditiously as possible.
I, and my staff are committed to working with
you to make the NAIS as effective as possible, and
have the system in place in this country as soon as
possible.
Stakeholders Announcement
Veterinary Services January 26, 2005
APHIS
Safeguarding American Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • United States Department of Agriculture •
Thank you for your continued interest and efforts
in this regard. Do not hesitate to contact me or Neil
Hammerschmidt, our NAIS coordinator, should you
have any questions or need any additional information
at this time. Our NAIS Web site,
http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml, contains
much more information as well.
John R. Clifford
Deputy Administrator
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation,
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part
of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons
with disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or
(202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
