 July 23, 2007 |
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USDA Initiates Cost-Benefit Analysis of NAIS Contact: Jon Wooster 831/385-5316 - Email: usca@uscattlemen.org |
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| San Lucas, Calif. (July 23, 2007) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) said today the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to initiate a cost-benefit analysis of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is welcome news for cattle producers. Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, California, said the announcement followed high level meetings between USDA officials and U.S. Cattlemen’s representatives during the third week of June. "U.S. Cattlemen’s directors met with USDA officials and we specifically requested that the agency expedite this important analysis of the NAIS system," said Wooster. "The first policy adopted by the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association on NAIS calls on USDA to conduct a thorough study of the costs and benefits associated with an animal identification system. This policy was delivered to USDA officials during the Washington Fly-In. We applaud the agency’s action to comply with our request. This is a victory for livestock producers." USDA has selected Kansas State University to lead the multi-institutional cost-benefit analysis with the assistance of co-contributors Colorado State University and Michigan State University. Montana State University will provide an assessment of the economic benefits and costs of NAIS, including its three components: premises registration, animal identification and animal tracing. "We understand there will likely be challenges associated with completing an unbiased study," noted Wooster. "It is very important that this cost-benefit analysis examines every aspect of the system, using real-time information that quantifies perceived benefits and prescribed costs. The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association is prepared to monitor progress closely and consult with independent experts as data becomes available. This is a much needed step towards helping producers and their lending institutions understand what the system will cost them and what the associated benefits will be." Wooster pointed out that a General Accounting Office (GAO) study of NAIS, requested by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), is due to be released publicly in the near future. The GAO study will provide an examination of the program’s cost-benefit-risk along with other factors. "Completion of these analyses will provide producers with the cost-benefit comparisons they have been requesting since the inception of NAIS. We eagerly await the findings." |
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