The ability to achieve the 48-hour goal is directly related to the completeness of 

 animal movement data that are reported to the national system. This challenging 

 task will require significant time for its development and establishment. The 

 implementation strategy therefore reflects a phased-in approach to ensure that a 

 workable plan evolves through producer and stakeholder input and participation. 

 Initially, the program will be implemented on a voluntary basis and eventually may 

 become mandatory. 



To achieve the 48-hour traceback objective, the movement of individual animals, or 

 "units of animals," must be recorded. Reporting this information to a central database 

 or creating a seamlessly linked local database infrastructure is necessary to achieve 

 timely traceback and trace forward. Through the NAIS, USDA has defined the data 

 standards for the information required for animal identification and collecting and 

 reporting animal mcncmcnts. USDA will maintain a technology-neutral position, 

 allowing market forces to drive the implementation of the most practical and 

 effective identification methods and equipment. 



All existing forms of official identification and numbering systems for premises and 

 livestock will remain official through a transition period as the NAIS is implemented. 

 It is important that accredited veterinarians make the best possible use of current 

 animal identification methods and procedures during the developmental process 

 and remember there are Federal identification regulations already in place for 

 specific animal classes that must be followed. It is also important to identify animals 

 accurately and record the information required to trace animals in the event of an 

 animal disease outbreak. The safety of the national livestock population is at stake. 



To control and eradicate animal diseases, epidemiologists must be able to trace the 

 movement of animals. This goal can be reached only if the animals are properly 

 identified and the individual and premises identifications are recorded. The 

 identification of premises is the foundation of the svstcm and must be established 

 before animals can be tracked. 



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