National Animal Identification System: Premise Registration

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a program intended to identify animals and record their movements throughout their lives. The NAIS is currently being implemented, on a voluntary basis, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The ultimate goal of this identification system is to create an effective, uniform national animal tracking system that will help maintain the health of U.S. herds and flocks. When fully operational, it will allow animal tracing to be completed within 48 hours of disease detection, ensuring rapid containment of the disease. The Equine Species Working Group has been reviewing the NAIS and its application to the horse industry.

Over the past year several health issues have affected the horse industry in various parts of the country. Diseases including West Nile Virus, Vesicular Stomatitis, Equine Herpes and Strangles have negatively affected horse owners and the equine industry, and have put restrictions and regulations on the movement of horses. The NAIS is being developed to prevent the spread of disease and the negative impacts it can have on the industry.

In order to track animals, their place of birth and places they are moved to need to be recorded. The starting point for the NAIS is to identify these locations that manage or hold animals, which are referred to as premises. Each premise will be identified with a unique seven-character identifier called a premises identification number.

Certain pieces of information entered into the premises registration system will be sent electronically to the National Premises Information Repository. This is done to make sure the key pieces of information will be available in the case of a disease trace back. The information that will be stored in the national premise system include: Premise ID Number, Name of Entity, Owner or Appropriate Contact Person, Street Address, City, State, Zip/Postal Code, Contact Phone Number, Operation type, Date Activated, Date Retired and Reason Retired.

As of late March 45 states and 5 tribes have premise registration systems up and running in accordance with NAIS standards. The goal is to have all 50 states on board by July 2005. Many states are offering registration services through their Web sites, either through direct online registration or by posting downloadable forms. These websites can be found through the NAIS website listed below.

It is advantageous for premise owners to register their property, for this system will ensure an easier reestablishment of equine commerce and movement in the event of a disease outbreak. It is important to protect horses and the industry, especially when participating in activities such as shows, racing and other events that bring many horses together. Premise registration is the first step to protecting horses and the industry against the effects of major disease outbreaks.

For more information on NAIS and Premise Registration, please visit www.usda.gov/nais. You can also visit the Equine Species Working Group website at www.horsecouncil.org/equineid.htm for information about the horse industry’s involvement in the NAIS.