On behalf of the Board of Directors and the 150 member organizations of the Livestock Conservation Institute, I would like to welcome each of you to this National Livestock Identification Symposium. Those that have gathered here today represent a cross-section of industry leaders, decision makers and influencers from all of animal agriculture: producers, veterinarians, public officials, researchers, market operators, packers, manufacturers and others.

This symposium is designed to examine current and future identification systems in terms of their ability to:

• improve disease control and eradication

• enhance food safety and quality assurance programs

• provide management information

• enhance the U.S. livestock industry's position to compete in a global market

The varied and comprehensive schedule of presentations we will hear today are designed to inform us of the current situation as well as future needs and available technology. The trade show is designed to complement the sessions today by showing us the various technological advancements that may be applied to animal identification. And, the work groups planned for tomorrow are designed to make sure we have action, not just talk, resulting from this meeting.

In the spirit of LCI tradition, this symposium is intended to build consensus among the many segments of animal agriculture. These work groups shall produce action, so that by tomorrow afternoon when we all leave and go our separate ways, we will have made some vital decisions and placed us well on the way of progressing this issue forward toward an end result. We truly hope that each symposium participant -- whether from the U.S. or another country, whether a speaker or a panelist, an exhibitor or a member of the media -- will experience a very worthwhile symposium. Thank you for your presence here today.