The Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced that it is accepting funding applications from state governments to support its initial funding of $11.64 million for a livestock identification system.
“A national animal identification (ID) program will better equip the government and industry with the means necessary to quickly control a variety of animal disease outbreaks and reduce the economic impacts on the market,” says Ron DeHaven, APHIS administrator.
In April, more than $18 million was transferred from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to begin implementing a national ID system. Of this total, about $11 million will be provided for premises ID.
Deadline for applications is July 15. Funding applications are available on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/fmd/agreements_announcements.html.
