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August 2, 2006
The following piece was circulated
today by the “Goat Working Group” on which NPGA HER
Committee Member Ray Hoyt serves. It appears to be some type
of press release.
First Livestock Tagging System to
Win Government Approval for Program to Protect the Health of
U.S. Livestock. South St. Paul, MN, August 1
Digital Angel Corporation (Amex:
DOC - News), an advanced technology company in the field of
rapid and accurate identification, location tracking, and
condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced today
that its electronic RFID (radio frequency identification)
livestock tagging system has been approved by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in the National
Animal Identification System (NAIS). Digital Angel is the
first animal tag manufacturer to be designated as an Animal
Identification (AIN) tag manufacturer by the USDA, which
signifies that the Company’s tagging system is capable of
identifying livestock with the unique, lifetime animal
identification number that is being established as a
national standard through the NAIS.
The NAIS, a cooperative program between the state and
federal governments and livestock industry to help trace,
manage and eradicate animal diseases like Mad Cow Disease,
Foot and Mouth Disease, Pseudo-Rabies Disease and Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in pigs, is being run
by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS). APHIS launched the voluntary NAIS in 2004 with the
premises registration system and is now continuing its
advancement by implementing the animal identification
component. While USDA has established visual tags as the
minimum standard for some species, cattle for example,
producers may elect to use ear tags with RFID technology
incased in the official identification tags.
“This is a stamp of approval and an important
acknowledgement of the integrity of our tagging system,”
said Digital Angel President and CEO Kevin N. McGrath. “The
USDA underwent a thorough review of our identification tags
and came away convinced that we can produce livestock tags
that are up to its standards, but also ensure the uniqueness
of the numbers attributed to individual animals that assist
in tracking the animal’s origin and movement throughout its
life. The flexibility to use the AIN tags in other programs
outside the scope of NAIS, like source and age verification
programs as well as basic management practices, provides the
opportunity for producers to fully utilize the capability of
our electronic ear tags.”
Digital Angel, which has been in the livestock tagging
business since 1945, has developed a proprietary and
comprehensive RFID traceability system that includes
electronic tags and scanners as well as a related IT system
that can provide for the identification and tracking of all
animals tagged as part of the NAIS. The target date for
having all livestock identified that are covered in the NAIS
guidelines is early 2009.
Digital Angel sells its electronic tags under the brand
names e.Tag ™ and Destron Combo e.Tag ™.
About Digital Angel Corporation
Digital Angel Corporation develops and deploys sensor and
communications technologies that enable rapid and accurate
identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring
of high-value assets. Applications for the Company’s
products include identification and monitoring of humans,
pets, fish, poultry and livestock through its patented
implantable microchips; location tracking and message
monitoring of vehicles and aircraft in remote locations
through systems that integrate GPS and geosynchronous
satellite communications; and monitoring of asset conditions
such as temperature and movement, through advanced miniature
sensors.
Digital Angel Corporation is majority-owned by Applied
Digital Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX-News). For more information about
Digital Angel, please visit www.DigitalAngelCorp.com.
* * * * *
The information in the above piece would give the impression
that eartags, with or without RFID implants, are the only
animal identification method on the table. This is
absolutely not the case. I sent this press release to Elsie
McCoy, known to many of you as the Manager of Customer
Service and Sales for EZID Animal ID (Avid Microchips) in
Greeley, Colorado. Excerpted here are some of her reactions:
“I have talked with reps from NAIS
who confirm the acceptance of microchips as well as the tags
and (who) understand ear tags are NOT the best choice for
all animals. They said the first stage is the ear tags
because of cattle, but people can choose what they want as
long as they are ISO compatible.”
“…people need to be educated that that they do have a
choice. Ear tags are NOT for everyone and are not the only
choice of RFID that meet NAIS requirements.”
“I am concerned that a lot of state vets are being ‘led’ in
the ear tag direction without completely understanding the
whole concept and available RFID choices; and then making
state mandates on inadequate information that do not meet
the needs of the people and their animals.”
“You and your organization and others like you need to keep
speaking up and saying you want and already successfully use
microchips for tamperproof, permanent identification! Don’t
stop speaking up or you could be swept under the rug for
lack of resistance.”
Kay Orlando, the HER Committee
Chair, has provided the following reaction to the above.
“Destron is a competitor with AVID. Their microchips emit a
different frequency - commonly known as ISO chips. They are
used in Canada and Europe. At this time, AVID readers cannot
read Destron chips or vice versa. I would think that AVID
would be a strong ally in the microchip area. They have a
large share of the market and do not want the ISO chips to
dominate…”
Ray Hoyt
Member, NPGA HER Committee
NAIS Coordinator
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