News
Animal ID has benefits during disease outbreaks
A mandatory animal identification program is showing its merits as part of national disease outbreak preparedness exercise in Michigan.
Michigan state veterinarian Dr. James Averill tells Brownfield Michigan is the only state that mandates electronic identification in cattle in the U.S. In the event of a disease outbreak, he says it tremendously increases animal movement traceability, “We are able to enhance our traceability and do it in a much more timely and effective manner with fewer resources than if we were to rely on the metal tags that the vast majority of the country utilizes.”
Averill says it’s not a matter of if but when Foot and Mouth Disease breaks in the U.S. and this week’s training brings to light what needs to be done by all levels of government and industry, “Thirteen states are working with USDA in this simulated outbreak and trying to enhance our preparedness in the event of such a disease outbreak and continue to identify where we have gaps.”
He says animal movement can be traced within 24-hours when using electronic IDs compared to several months when an outbreak does occur in the cattle industry, “We got there because of bovine tuberculosis being in the state and unfortunately it took a disease issue to get us there, but people see the value in it.”
Averill believes while a national traceability system is being debated, consumers and international trade could ultimately drive the U.S. in that direction.
AUDIO: Interview with Dr. James Averill
Since testing and research for FMD will now be done in the US – are you silly enough to believe nothing can go wrong?!