USDA says it will hold a series of listening sessions across the country to discuss how to develop, build and implement a national animal identification program for livestock and poultry.

Back in December, USDA announced that it would expedite implementation of a national animal identifcation program, in the wake of the discovery of a cow with BSE (mad cow disease) in Washington State.  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been funded with almost $20 million to develop a national ID system that will trace back diseased or possibly diseased animals.   This will start with a premise identification system during this summer.  The PIS will allow pilot programs to start that will test identifcation systems.

The first listening session will be held at the Crown Center, 1960 Coliseum Dr., Hospitality Suite A, Fayetteville, NC on Monday, June 14 from 1 to 3 pm.  To get directions, call the Crown Center at 910-323-5088.  More listening sessions will be held as follows:  Athens, GA, June 18; Prineville, OR, July 1; Stockton, CA, July 10; Socorro, NM, July 16; Pasco, WA, July 23; Greeley, CO, August 10; Billings, MT, August 13; Kissimmee, FL, August 16; Columbus, OH, August 18; Ames, IA, August 26; Joplin, MO, August 27; Appleton, WI, August 30; and St. Cloud, MN, August 30.  More details about each listening session, including the site and time of meeting, will be posted on the APHIS web site at

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/nais/nais.html.