Don Monke, OH
The following article was submitted with the hopes of keeping the ABA informed on what is happening in this area of our hobby. Don is chairing a newly formed committee and we appreciate his efforts.
USDA issues NAIS benefit-cost analysis
Feedstuffs - April 29, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service today released the results of a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The study [was] commissioned to provide comprehensive, objective economic information for producers.
The objectives were to estimate the benefits and cost of adopting NAIS by the livestock and poultry industries, as well as to determine how net benefits are likely to be allocated among industry sectors, consumers and government.
Some of the study's findings include:
* Economic benefits in both the domestic and international marketplace resulting from enhanced traceability may be greater than the cost savings realized during animal disease control and eradication efforts.
* For industry, the effect of not implementing some aspects of NAIS (maintaining status quo) may result in significant losses due to reduced export market access.
* Implementation of NAIS becomes more cost effective as participation levels increase and actually may not be economically viable at lower participation levels.
"NAIS is a long-term investment in not only emergency preparedness and response but also in our ongoing animal disease control and eradication programs, the competitiveness of our livestock in international markets and in consumer confidence in our food supply."
