Can Animals be Identified as a Group?
Yes, an animal production system can use Group/Lot identification if the animal owner is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of state animal health officials that, through group identification and production records, traceback to all premises with direct contacts of a suspect animal can occur within 48 hours, and that the potential for commingling does not exist. Each group will be identified with a unique and standardized number. Verifiable records will be required to further document premises ID and dates of movement.
A. Yes, as part of the NAIS plan animal production systems can use group/lot identification in place of an individual animal identification number. To acquire group/lot identification, the producer must prove to the agreement of state animal health officials that group/lot identification and production system records will allow for a 48-hour trace back to the suspected animal and that commingling doesnt exist. Production records will contain the following information: the date created, number of head, removal date and type (sale, transfers, and death), destination premises, and inventory reconciliation. These records will be kept at the local level for two years after the group retires or ends. The national central database will require a unique group/lot identification number to be associated with the group of animals. The group/lot identification method will be available to all species.
