Earlier this month, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, which includes a provision of $15 million for electronic identification (eID) tags that could potentially be required by ranchers under the Animal Disease Traceability rules.
The act passed in the Senate with a 75-22 vote, and in the House with a 339–85 vote.
The $15 million will be given to the USDA so they can provide the eID tags to cattle producers throughout the US. These tags would replace the metal tags currently used that have a unique ID number and use an electronic system that can be scanned to find information on the animal.
Using EIDs wouldn't put new regulations on producers but rather make it so animals could be tracked more easily to help prevent an industry shutdown during a disease outbreak. Some organizations, like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and R-CALF, are not completely bought in on the legislation.
“While not perfect, this legislation does provide $15 million for electronic animal ID tags for cattle producers,” said Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs at NCBA. “As USDA potentially finalizes a traceability rule, NCBA’s priority is ensuring that producers do not incur the cost of complying with this rule.”
“The United States’ livestock industry is currently operating under the 2013 final rule that gives producers flexibility in the type of animal identification device they use when adult cattle are shipped across state lines,” Bullard said. “That flexibility includes non-eID plastic and metal ear tags as well as tattoos and brands and back tags. So, producers are able to use what best fits their operations in order to achieve the level of identification that the USDA seeks.”
R-CALF is currently urging the White House to reject the USDA’s proposed rule. They believe that the mandatory EID tags are part of a larger scheme for the USDA and the World Organization for Animal Health to be able to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions. If the White House does not reject the rule, R-CALF will consider litigation.
“We do not believe that USDA has the authority to impose such a costly mandate upon the industry,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF.
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