Use of Alternative Numbering Systems

July 20, 2007 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published in the Federal Register the final rule to amend the regulations to allow for the use of additional numbering systems for purposes of animal and premises identification.

The rule recognizes additional numbering systems for the identification of animals in interstate commerce and disease control and eradication programs. Specifically, the animal identification number (AIN) for the identification of individual animals, the group/lot identification number (GIN) for the identification of groups or lots of animals and the premises identification number (PIN) for the identification of premises. These regulatory changes went into effect on July 18, 2007.

As a result of industry comments, including those from the sheep industry, it was determine that a change was needed to the format of the GIN. The November 2004 interim rule defined the GIN as consisting of a seven-character PIN and a six-digit representation of the date on which the group or lot of animals was assembled. That format made no provision for situations where more than one group of animals may be moved from a premises on the same day. Comments stressed the need to allow for the assignment of multiple GINs to multiple groups of animals moving from a premises on a single day. Therefore, the GIN has been revised by adding two digits. These two additional digits will provide for the identification of up to 99 groups/lots of animals moving from a premises on the same day.

The final rule is available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-13932.htm.
Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 303-771-3500

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