USDA applied a business plan model to identify areas of weakness and opportunity, establish benchmarks against which to measure success and communicate a vision for the future of traceability.
The draft plan provides a comprehensive look at current traceability status in the US, including a breakdown by species. It details seven strategies that will provide the greatest amount of progress in a short period of time. These strategies involve state- and federally regulated and voluntary animal health programs, industry-administered animal management and marketing programs, as well as various animal identification techniques.
USDA also released the official version of the National Animal Identification System User Guide, which replaces the November 2006 draft version. During the past year, USDA has reviewed and incorporated public comments into the official version in an effort to make the document easier for readers to understand and use.
The User Guide, upon which the Business Plan builds, provides producers with information about how NAIS works, how they can put the system to use and how participation would benefit them and their animals. The draft plan was published in the December 19 Federal Register and is available on the National Animal Identification System Web site.
