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The
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Ag Marketing Service (AMS)
on Wednesday went a step further to encourage the widespread
use of its National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
The agency rolled out a draft business plan that shows how
the NAIS will be integrated with AMSA's other marketing
programs, such as the USDA Process Verified, the Quality
Systems Assessment and the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle Programs.
Companies enrolled in those programs can meet their inherent
animal identification requirements by using NAIS. In addition,
using NAIS along with enrollment in the AMS marketing programs
ensures that the cattle are eligible for the AMS Export
Verification Program for Japan, a designation that could
mean price premiums for U.S. cattle producers.
Finally, NAIS would make it easier to properly label product
for sale at U.S. grocery stores and meet the objectives
of the Country of Origin Labeling program. And contingent
on the publication of a Final Rule for COOL, AMS and USDA's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will work to
develop a COOL "safe harbor" for NAIS participants.
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