Chief Vet. Reports Low Participation in Traceback System

USDA chief veterinarian Dr. John Clifford says low participation in a livestock traceback system could hamper disease control and make it harder to restore sales to nations who ban U.S. meat. Clifford told House Agriculture and Homeland Security subcommittees that - unfortunately, a disappointing rate of producer participation -- currently only 35 percent -- hampers our ability to achieve animal traceability. He said 70 percent would provide an - effective - program.

Clifford added; - while 70 percent would provide some measure of traceability, I must emphasize that we really need to achieve higher participation rates, as high as 90 percent, to ensure the benefits of the system. The goal of the voluntary identification program is to locate the home farm and herdmates of sick animals within 48 hours of a disease outbreak. About 510-thousand premises have been registered out of the 1.4 million premises the USDA wants to sign up.

Critics, including some members of Congress, say the program, which has cost 130 million dollars, is not working. Many have called for a mandatory system and hinted they may withhold funding until it is put in place.