Animal identification has become a generic term for multiple efforts within the beef industry to identify cattle, track movement and verify age, source or other specific characteristics. Using this terminology has created confusion among some industry participants. There really are two simultaneous efforts underway, both using various animal identification tools, but with different purposes. One is the ongoing effort to develop a national system for tracking animal movement. The other is a response to demand for source- and age-verified cattle.

National Animal Identification System

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a joint effort by the beef industry and animal health officials to develop a system to track animal movement. The goal of NAIS is to be able to identify all animals and premises that have had contact with a foreign or domestic animal disease of concern within 48 hours after discovery. The ability to rapidly trace infected and exposed animals is important in limiting the scope of such outbreaks and ensuring they are contained and eradicated as quickly as possible. KLA members have adopted policy supportive of this effort.

The foundation of the NAIS is identifying premises where animals are managed or held. KLA is working with the Kansas Animal Health Department to facilitate premises registration by beef industry participants. Development continues on the animal tracking elements of NAIS. Questions remain to be answered on technology and infrastructure needs to efficiently collect animal movement information.

USDA seeks to have a fully functional NAIS in place by 2009.

Age and Source Verification Programs

Qualification requirements for the Japanese export market have created market opportunities for age-verified cattle. Japanese beef export program standards require the use of Quality Systems Assessment (QSA) programs and/or Process Verified Programs (PVP) to certify cattle eligibility for the Japanese market.

Cattle producers have the following options to certify cattle for export to Japan :

1.   Develop an individual QSA and get approval from USDA.

2.   Sell to a buyer with an approved QSA program.

3.   Enroll cattle in one of the USDA-approved QSA programs for age verification or in one of the USDA-approved PVP programs for age verification. See attached pages for a list of approved programs.

NAIS premises registration application form  
  Note: Application may be printed, completed and submitted to KLA or the Kansas Animal Health Department.

Online Premises Registration - KAHD
  Note: An electronic version of the NAIS premises registration application can be found here. In order to access the application please self-register by clicking on "new users register here." 

Beef Stocker USA ID Company Survey

KLA Animal ID Working Group

If you have any questions call the KLA office at (785) 273-5115.