The Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) is currently registering farms and other premises where animals are co-mingled with the USDA national database. The data entered includes name, address/location, phone, e-mail, and types of livestock located at the premise. The eventual goal of the USDA is to have producers adopt a standardized animal identification system that is consistent across the country, replacing different systems that are remnants of existing animal health programs and standardizing local systems. Premise registration is the first step to using a national ID system, because the animal ID number will link the animal to a registered premise. The NAIS and premise registration is VOLUNTARY. Registering your premise does not obligate you to participate in the NAIS.

The OSV encourages producers to register their premises because it will enhance our ability to manage disease outbreak investigations. If you would like to register, click here for the premise registration form, fill it out as completely as possible, and mail to the OSV.

You may request a form from the OSV at 907-375-8200.

The OSV encourages livestock owners to make an informed decision about whether to register their premise. Here are some web links to more information:

USDA Frequently Asked Questions:

http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/faq/faq.shtml#Q17

USDA General Information:

http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/

USDA NAIS Draft User Guide, November 2006:

http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/naislibrary/userguide.shtml

Questions and Answers:

1) Why should I register my premise?

So that the OSV and USDA know the location of you and your animals. In the

event of a disease outbreak, you can be notified promptly and protect your

herd/flock, as well of those of others. The OSV encourages livestock owners to

register to enhance emergency animal disease response for the state. If you want

to participate in the NAIS, you must have a premise ID number.

2) Why should I participate in NAIS?

The OSV is treating animal ID as a separate program from premise registration. We

will develop NAIS on an “as needed” basis to support economic development of

markets. If buyers, markets or fairs determine that they require a premise ID and

NAIS registration to sell to them or to participate, then you would need to be registered

and have NAIS in place. Also, if you maintain good animal inventory records (such as

using NAIS to track animal sales and purchases), then animal movements can be

effectively traced for disease investigation purposes.

3) What are the penalties for not registering?

There is no penalty. The program is voluntary.

4)I’ve heard that the USDA is pressuring states to pursue legislation making NAIS

mandatory. Is this true?

The State of Alaska has not received any such pressure from the USDA.

The OSV has developed a premise ID system as part of its disease response system.

If producers are interested, we will assist individuals with animal ID.

5)If I participate in NAIS, do I have to report every animal movement within 24

hours?

Currently, neither the OSV nor any private entity operate a movement tracking

database in Alaska. The OSV will evaluate the need for one as the USDA further

develops its guidelines and if producers are interested. The USDA is currently

developing guidelines for prioritizing which movements should actually be reported.

In Alaska, high priority (“riskier”) movements would include selling animals to

another producer and taking animals to a large regional fair, such as the Palmer and

Tanana Valley Fairs. If Alaska develops a tracking database, producers would be

be encouraged to report high priority movements promptly (within 24 hours if

possible). This would keep the database as up to date as possible. You may read

the NAIS Draft User Guide for more detailed information.

6) Do I need to be registered to move animals across the border?

At this time, no.Currently, animals must be identified individually and their premise

of origin listed on the health certificate to move into Alaska, Canada or to other U.S.

States; however, these individual animal identifications do not have to be NAIS

compatible and the premise does not have to be registered.

7) If I am registered, does that mean that government representatives can come to

my property and take away my animals or destroy them?

Registration (or lack thereof) has no bearing on how a premise might be treated in an

animal health emergency. The Alaska State Veterinarian has statutory authority to

restrict animal movement into and within the state, to quarantine premises and

geographic areas, and to depopulate herds or flocks. Such actions would only be

used in the case of an emergency situation that threatened animal health, such as an

outbreak of avian influenza or foot and mouth disease. Such efforts would be

coordinated with USDA and other agencies as appropriate, to determine the best

course of action.

Bottom Line: Your Alaska State Veterinarian is the “First Responder” to an animal disease outbreak. If you want the OSV to know who you are, where you are, and what kind of livestock you own, then you should register.