New Mexico Animal Identification Program

General Information

Animal Identification

The first question often asked is “Why do we need Animal Identification?”  The simplest answer is that it is a rational cost-effective animal identification program that will:

• Enhance foreign animal disease surveillance, control, and eradication;

• Facilitate epidemiological investigations;

• Improve biosecurity protection of the national livestock population;

• Distinguish animals vaccinated or tested under official US Department of Agriculture (USDA) disease control or eradication programs from unvaccinated and untested herdmates;

• Furnish official identification for animals in interstate or international commerce;

• Accurately identify blood and tissue specimens used for laboratory diagnostics;

• Track the health certification status of herds, States, and regions; and

• Enable effective regionalization and risk assessment in support of international trade.

The following items have greatly intensified public interest in developing a national animal identification program for the purpose of protecting animal health and maintaining our global livestock markets.

• The increasing number of animal disease outbreaks that have been reported around the globe over the past decade,

• the increasing global travel by our human population, and

• the increasing potential for accidental introduction of foreign animal disease

A strong US identification system is in increasing demand as a necessary component of our Nation’s agricultural infrastructure.

Need more information?   http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml

For additional help and information, click nm.livestock@state.nm.us
300 San Mateo NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Voice:  (505) 841-6161      Fax:  (505) 841-6160
©2005 New Mexico Livestock Board
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