Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities. The framework, announced at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Mid-Year meeting, provides the basic tenets of an improved animal disease traceability capability in the United States.

According to the Secretary, USDA's efforts will: 1) Only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce; 2) Be administered by the States and Tribal Nations to provide more flexibility; 3) Encourage the use of lower-cost technology; and 4) Be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.

One of USDA's first steps will be to convene a forum with animal health leaders for the States and Tribal Nations to initiate a dialogue about the possible ways of achieving the flexible, coordinated approach to animal disease traceability.  Additionally, USDA will be revamping the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Animal Health to address specific issues, such as confidentiality and liability.