The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it is accepting funding applications from state and tribal governments to support the initial implementation of the national animal identification system (NAIS). A total of $11.64 million will be available for implementing an identification system for all livestock and poultry animals on farms and ranches. “A national animal identification program will better equip the government and industry with the means necessary to quickly control a variety of animal disease outbreaks and reduce the economic impacts on the market,” said W. Ron DeHaven, APHIS administrator. “This funding we’re making available to states and tribes will help move us toward achieving this goal.” In April, more than $18 million was transferred from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to begin implementing a national system that will quickly and efficiently trace diseased or potentially diseased animals to their point of origin. Of this amount, more than $11 million is available for state and tribal governments to focus chiefly on premises identification. The remainder of the funds will be used to support the development of the national animal identification program, including carrying out outreach activities and building database architecture. Full Story