USDA to Award Up To $11.6 Million for Animal ID

June 18, 2004 -- A total of $11.64 million is available for implementing an identification system for all livestock and poultry animals on farms and ranches. This was the message delivered by Mr. Bill Hawks, under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Services, Dr. Chuck Lambert, deputy under secretary and Neil Hammerschmidt, coordinator of USDA?s National Animal Identification System (NAIS), in a conference call on Tuesday.

Funding will be provided to State and Native American tribal governments to support the initial implementation of the National Premises Identification System within the area the projects are administered. In addition to premises identification, projects may include conducting trials or research to develop, test and offer solutions for administering animal identification and collecting animal movement data.

Applications for cooperative agreement funding must include a plan for developing and/or utilizing established infrastructure for outreach purposes. Emphasis will be placed on coordinating with the beef, dairy, sheep and swine industries.

Applications must be received no later than July 15, 2004, and APHIS anticipates awarding funds in August.

?This is a short window of opportunity to work within,? commented Hammerschmidt.

It is anticipated the $33 million requested for animal identification in the FY 2005 Federal budget will contain substantial funds for additional cooperative agreements.

?We encourage state sheep association leaders and producers to coordinate with their State Department of Agriculture and with their state veterinarian in support of sheep activities within the grant application process,? stated American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick.

Funding application packages are available on the APHIS Web site at: Application Package.

Staff contact: Peter Orwick, 303-771-3500

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