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Swine Identification Update By John Wiemers, DVM, MS
At the fall 1994 United States Animal Health Association meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Veterinary Services presented an optimistic plan for the development of an integrated swine identification system. According to the plan outline, a benefit and needs analysis of the swine industry would be carried out prior to implementing any plan. We are currently engaged in the collection of information from various segments of the industry.
In fulfilling our role as a facilitating and coordinating agency, USDA, APHIS, VS, National Animal Health Programs is asking anyone with an interest in improving swine identification for their voluntary input in defining the identification needs of the swine industry. We anticipate responses from producers, breeding stock companies, producer organizations, private veterinarians, livestock market operators and associations, slaughter / processing companies and organizations, state and federal governmental agencies, University extension personnel, researchers, feed companies, biological and pharmaceutical manufacturers, manufacturers of identification systems and devices, consumers, and other stakeholders.
Our goal is to help develop an identification system that will integrate the needs of as many stakeholders as possible and allow the greatest public and private benefit. This request is posted on the APHIS Gopher, on electronic listservs (SWINE-L, PIGFARM), and in the Commerce Business Daily. Personal contacts are also made with key industry representatives.
Success of the project requires quality input from many sources. In order to get the most from our responses, we are asking as many people as possible provide us with the following information.
1. Your Name / phone number. [OPTIONAL]
2. Name of your organization. [OPTIONAL] 3. Nature of the business the organization is engaged in. 4. What is your interest in swine identification? 5. What does your business or organization NEED a swine identification system to provide? In other words, what things would an ideal identification system help you keep track of? Please list as many needs as you can think of that pertain toyour business. It would be helpful to list the 4 or 5 greatest needs. 6. If your swine identification needs are met, what will be the benefits to your business or organization. 7. From your point of view, please identify the conditions under which the system must be able to operate. Identify such things as climate, weather, speed of handling, work environment, etc. 8. From your point of view, please identify the necessary characteristics of an ideal identification device.
Consider: -- whether or not the device must be visually read
9. To meet your needs, what level of identification is needed? Premises? Lot? Building? Pen? Individual pig? Unique animal? 10. To meet your needs, what level of information traceback is required? Last premises of ownership? Premises of origin? Each change of ownership or custody? Building site? Bloodline? Other? 11. What are the critical points in your business where animal identification needs to be recorded to meet your needs? 12. What options are acceptable for funding a swine identification system? 13. What costs do you anticipate your business would incur in implementing an identification system that meets your needs? 14. What do you envision as an appropriate method to acquire and distribute identification numbers? 15. What other comments or suggestions do you have?
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