1. NIAA ID Expo August 22, 2006 Linda S. Campbell
Luray VA
Chair, Goat Species Working Group

2. Background
Diversity of Goat Usage
Issues Facing Industry
ID Recommendations
Movement Reporting
Work to Date
Successful Implementation
Committee Structure

3. Background
Initially, a combined Sheep and Goat Working Group was created. To facilitate more diverse representation from each industry, and to address differences between species, separate groups were developed and began work.

4. Diversity of Uses Dairy Meat Fiber Pets Hiking/Packing/Driving
Weed Abatement/Forest Management
Biotechnology

5. Issues Facing Industry
Multi uses for goats under variety of environments and managements
ID for Scrapie Eradication (NSEP) program already in place
Cost of program versus value per head – economic viability
Tag retention due to thinness of ear, nature of browsing habits, curiosity of goats, infections
One breed with very tiny ears that does not allow traditional ear tag usage
15 digits on a small ear tag difficult to read

6. Goat “Products”
Milk, Cheese, Meat, Fiber, Seed Stock, Ability to Browse, Companionship

7. Concerns Being Voiced
Batch uploading of existing Scrapie Premise ID to convert to NAIS ID without first asking Premise Owner
Practicality of program implementation
Cost of program versus value per head – economic viability
Lack of details about program available when Premises IDs being signed up
Questions of constitutionality of program
Any mandatory requirement

8. Goat ID Recommendations
Continue with current approved ID being used for Scrapie program
Conduct US field trials to fully test with different breeds and managements
Request that USDA/FSIS approve site for electronic implants, with preference for tail
Provide approved devices to producers
Allow Group Lot ID when applicable

9. Goat ID Methods (In place with NSEP)
Unique Registration tattoos *When accompanied by official Registration/Certificate of Identity
Scrapie Program Plastic and Metal Ear tags
Electronic Implants/RFID tags *When accompanied by official Registration/Certificate of Identity

10. Problems with Ear Tags
While ear tags could most efficiently provide both visual and electronic identification, the problems with retention, infections and the issue with the LaMancha breed, currently make it not acceptable as the only method of identification.

11. GWG Work to date Recommendations for ID and movement reporting
Compiling information and developing communications with goat breeders in US and internationally
Discussing/defining high risk and low risk events
Developing Working Group information website:
Providing articles for media
Developing survey for industry feedback
Developed discussion list for industry feedback

12. Movement Reporting
Utilize existing methods of collecting and reporting movement information for initial phase:
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
Existing regulatory program (such as Scrapie)

13. Successful Implementation Requires…
Allowing flexibility with ID methods beyond phase-in period
Continued involvement with industry representatives as as plan develops
Working with organizations to integrate with existing systems
Adequate research and field trials using range of goat breeds and managements
Incorporating existing production/management information and current industry practices
Implementing reasonable record keeping requirements
Protecting producer confidentiality of records

14. Successful Implementation Requires…
Comprehensive educational effort offering information and accurate answers for producers, markets, consumers, inspectors, veterinarians and others
Working with organizations to integrate with existing systems
Important for individual states to consider recommendations of species working groups if they separately implement programs prior to full NAIS implementation
Adequate funding to provide staffing to handle existing regulatory programs and port inspections should be ensured.

15. Goat Working Group Members
The goal of the Goat Working Group has been to seek input from individuals that represent owners and partners involved with all components of goat breeding, usage and handling.
James Ramseyer Joe David Ross Joan Dean Rowe, DVM Lisa Shepard Marvin Shurley Diane Sutton, DVM Robert Swize Cindy Wolf, DVM Linda Worley
Linda Campbell, Chair Barry Arnett Jan Carlson Bonnie Chandler Charles Christensen Bennie Cox Rene DeLeeuw Carolyn Eddy Ray Hoyt David Morris, DVM Stan Potratz

16. NAIS SubCommittee Members
Members Affiliation
Mr. John Adams National Milk Producer's Federation
Ms. Linda Campbell American Dairy Goat Association
Dr. Mark Engle National Pork Board
Dr. Robert Fourdraine Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium
Dr. Bob Hillman Texas Animal Health Commission, State Veterinarian
Ms. Amy Mann American Horse Council
Ms. Marcine Moldenhauer Excel Corporation
Mr. Jim Niewold Swine Producer
Dr. Clarence Siroky Idaho Department of Agriculture, State Veterinarian
Mr. Scott Stuart National Livestock Producers Association
Mr. Gary Wilson Cattle Producer, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Dr. Cindy Wolf University of Minnesota, CVM
Dr. Taylor Woods Missouri Department of Agriculture, State Veterinarian
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Resources
Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt - NAIS Program Staff
Dr. John Wiemers - NAIS Program Staff

17. At the end of the day…
…we hope that whatever is developed will provide a uniform system that meets the goals of protecting U.S. animal agriculture, while preserving the economic viability of the producers; large and small; protecting confidentiality of information; and providing an effective and accurate means of identifying our animals at the least cost and least disruption to our operations and lives.

18. Questions?

19. The End!