LegiStorm

Summary:

Animal disease traceability (ADT) is the concept of ensuring a rapid, coordinated national response in the event of an animal disease outbreak by knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are located, where they have been, and when they were at a location. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of its effort to establish a national ADT program, published a final rule through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on April 26, 2024. The rule requires eartags to be visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official animal identification (ID) for the interstate movement of certain classes of cattle and bison by November 5, 2024. Previously, eartags used as official animal ID had to be visually readable only. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the U.S. cattle inventory totaled 87.2 million head as of January 1, 2024, and the most recent assessment of the U.S. bison herd in 2017 counted 184,000 head. The APHIS final rule will affect 11% of the nation’s domestic cattle and bison herd, primarily breeding stock. Unlike poultry, swine, or other livestock species, the U.S. cattle industry is made up of distinct, separate, and geographically dispersed production segments. Millions of head of cattle move within the United States each year to meet global beef demand. This movement can be disrupted in the event of an animal disease outbreak. One of the factors that led to the establishment of a national ADT program in the United States can be traced to a dairy cow in Washington State that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or “mad cow disease”) on December 23, 2003. Fourteen days later, animal health officials confirmed that the diseased cow— which had a metal, visually readable eartag—originated from a herd in Canada. By then, 53 countries—including major markets such as Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Canada—had banned imports of U.S. cattle and beef products. It is estimated that the loss of beef export markets in the following year cost the industry $3.2-$4.7 billion. Domestic cattle prices also fell 16% as beef supplies stacked up at home. ADT seeks to reduce international trade and domestic production disruptions caused by disease outbreak. By quickly and accurately tracing the source of an outbreak to an individual animal, officials can work to contain the spread of disease and prevent unnecessary infections or deaths. Electronic identification (EID) for animals used as a component of an ADT program may offer a way to expedite disease traceback events. Certain segments of the livestock industry incorporate EID in their animal husbandry practices to boost production efficiency, provide supply chain transparency, or participate in timely disease traceback procedures. Other livestock industry members are reluctant to adapt EID for their animals due to concerns about data security and confidentiality, implementation costs, or an aversion to federal mandates. Some Members of Congress have introduced legislation in the 118th Congress that would prevent the Secretary of Agriculture from implementing any rule requiring the mandatory use of EID on cattle or bison. Legislative activity surrounding the farm bill also provides an opportunity for discussion of the purpose, benefits, and challenges associated with implementing a national EID mandate. In evaluating the establishment of a national electronic traceability mandate for cattle and bison, Congress may consider the impact of animal disease outbreaks on domestic production and international trade, the cost of funding the federal mandate, concerns with user data and confidentiality, and possible threats to national security.