The proposed National Animal Identification System, or NAIS, is intended to allow investigators to trace back a diseased animal to its farm of origin within 48 hours of its discovery, as well as tracing any other animals that may have been exposed to it.  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, is the federal agency with authority over the NAIS.

The NAIS plan has three stages:  1) Premises ID, in which each location where livestock live gets a 7-digit identification number.  2) Animal ID, in which each animal leaving a premises gets a 15-digit identification number.  Animals typically raised and sold in batches, such as the all in/all out poultry and hog production common in large-scale production of these animals, could be identified with a 13-digit group identification number rather than individually.  3) Tracking of animal movement from the farm to a point of sale; or to a show, fair, or other event where animals from several owners are commingled; or when animals are transported across state lines.

The following species are included in NAIS:  deer and elk, cattle and bison, llamas and alpacas, horses, goats, sheep, poultry, and swine. 

Overview of NAIS from ATTRA, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas

Links for more information:

National Animal Identification System:  http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml

APHIS Fact Sheet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/Animal_ID_Brochure.pdf

Animal ID Good for Dairy Producers
http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairystar/03-25-06-Sonnek.htm

Export-fueled national animal ID program raises many farmer objections http://www.newfarm.org/features/2006/0406/nais/frymanross.shtml

NAIS Plan for Minnesota Horse Premises and Owners http://www.extension.umn.edu/horse/components/pdfs/NAIDPlanMinnesotaHorse.pdf

National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture -- NAIS Update, March 27, 2006
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/updateMarch27_06.php