REVIEW: Animal Identification Systems in North America

The threat of a livestock disease outbreak or other animal health events in North America is real. However, predicting both the timing and severity of an outbreak can be extremely difficult. Animal identification and traceability programs can help limit the spread of disease. The overall objective of this review is to evaluate and compare animal identification and traceability systems in North America. Mandated animal identification programs, which exist for Canadian cattle and sheep and Mexican cattle, are designed to control and eradicate trade-limiting diseases and to maintain or gain access to international markets. In contrast, the United States has chosen to implement the National Animal Identification System as a voluntary program for cattle, sheep, and swine. However, the US sheep industry has operated with a mandatory National Scrapie Eradication Program since 2001, and the US pork industry has independently implemented a mandatory swine premises registry, which targeted 100% compliance by December 31, 2007, and a mandatory swine identification program targeting full compliance by December 31, 2008. Likewise, the Canadian National Hog Traceability and Identification System will become a mandatory program in 2008. It is recognized that a country's ability to respond to an animal disease outbreak is greatly enhanced with the implementation of a national animal identification program.