FAQs
- What is the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)?
- Why is it important to have a 48-hour traceback capability?
- Is the National Animal Identification System related to the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) initiative?
- What are premises?
- What is a premises identification number?
- How much does it cost to have my premises registered?
- How do I register?
- What animals are considered to be livestock for this program?
- If I have National Scrapie Eradication Program Flock identification, do I also need to have a premises identification number?
- Is this a mandatory program?
- Will this system increase my liability?
- Will the information I share about my premises and animals be kept confidential?
- What information do I need in order to register my premises?
- What is GPS, and how do I find out my coordinates?
- How do I register premises that do not have a physical address?
- What if I lease a farm?
- Do I need multiple premises identification numbers if I operate on multiple premises?
- Do I have to register premises separately if they are located in a different county than my main premises?
- If my cattle graze on my property that crosses state lines, do I need to register twice?
- Does registering my premises require me to individually identify or tag my animals?
- Can I use the premises identification number to source verify my cattle for marketing purposes?
- Who can I contact if I have more questions?
- What are the benefits for producers to participate in the NAIS?
1. What is the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)?
The NAIS is a system of identifying all premises and animals involved in animal agriculture and tracking them through the production chain for disease traceback capability. The goal of the NAIS is to be able to identify all animals and premises that had direct contact with a foreign animal disease within 48 hours of discovery.
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2. Why is it important to have a 48-hour traceback capability?
To protect the health of the livestock in Kansas and in the United States, being able to trace and contain a disease within 48 hours is essential. The NAIS will allow for rapid tracing of animals in the event of an outbreak, helping to limit the scope and expense of an outbreak.
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3. Is the National Animal Identification System related to the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) initiative?
The animal identification system is not being implemented because of COOL. The system is creating a way to trace animal disease within a 48-hour period. However, a COOL “safe harbor” is being developed that would allow packers to use NAIS to determine livestock’s country of origin and still be in compliance with COOL requirements.
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4. What are premises?
Premises are any location where animals are managed or held—farms and hobby farms, ranches, veterinary clinics, stables, livestock markets, livestock trucker and dealer sites, slaughter and rendering facilities, livestock exhibitions, etc.
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5. What is a premises identification number?
A premises identification number (PIN) is a randomly generated unique seven-digit code assigned to a physical location and operation.
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6. How much does it cost to have my premises registered?
There is no cost for registering premises through the state system.
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7. How do I register?
There are four ways to register your premises in Kansas:
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8. What animals are considered to be livestock for this program?
Cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, horses, pen-raised cervids (deer, elk), camelids (llama, alpacas), captive game birds, and aquaculture are species that are considered livestock for this program.
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9. If I have National Scrapie Eradication Program Flock identification, do I also need to have a premises identification number?
Yes. The flock identification is given to a unit of animals. Premises identification refers to a physical location where the animals are housed. If a flock moves to a new location, the flock identification will remain the same and the flock will be given a new premises identification number.
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10. Is this a mandatory program?
No. Participation in the premises registration system is voluntary.
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11. Will this system increase my liability?
If animals are managed according to generally accepted management practices, such as following Beef Quality Assurance guidelines and documenting the administration of all health/management products according to label instructions, liability should not be increased.
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12. Will the information I share about my premises and animals be kept confidential?
Yes, the information you provide is confidential according to Kansas law (Statute 47-674).
Only federal and state animal health and public health officials may access the data in the event of an animal disease outbreak or a public safety emergency. Other governmental agencies such as the IRS, EPA, or Kansas DEQ will not have access to the data. Registrants set up their own computer user name and password and control their information.
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13. What information do I need in order to register my premises?
The USDA requires only basic information for registration: name and contact information of the landowner, physical location of premises, operation type, livestock species, and name and contact information of the livestock owner or primary caretaker.
Premises registration does not include the number of animals, their identification numbers, or other personal information.
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14. What is GPS, and how do I find out my coordinates?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. As a worldwide satellite navigational system, GPS can calculate the longitude and latitude of a physical location. Your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office can provide the GPS coordinates from its mapping system. This information is not required, but it is useful.
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15. How do I register premises that do not have a physical address?
When completing the forms, you will need to provide driving directions to the premises from the nearest town. When providing the driving directions, use directional indicators (east, west, south, and north), give number of miles from turns, and indicate on which side of the road the premises are located.
GPS coordinates are also recommended for the premises in decimal degrees format. FSA can assist in obtaining these coordinates.
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16. What if I lease a farm?
If you want to register leased premises, you will need the permission of the landowner. Verbal permission is sufficient. The premises identification number (PIN) identifies that physical location, and the property owner will receive the PIN.
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17. Do I need multiple premises identification numbers if I operate on multiple premises?
If you have animals on multiple premises and all or part of the animals are moved between the premises, such as holding the bulls at one site until they are moved to other premises for the breeding season, you can register all the premises under one premises identification number. Use the physical address for the main premises when registering.
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18. Do I have to register premises separately if they are located in a different county than my main premises?
No, you do not have to register premises under a different premises identification number if they are in another county from your main premises. When completing the form, list the Farm Service Agency farm numbers, if available, for the premises and indicate the county in which they are located.
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19. If my cattle graze on my property that crosses state lines, do I need to register twice?
No, if the property is managed by the same operator and the cattle commingle, only one premises identification number is needed. The property owner/manager should contact both states and explain the situation to determine how best to register. The premises identification number will be associated with the state of the operation’s physical address.
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20. Does registering my premises require me to individually identify or tag my animals?
No, you do not have to individually identify or tag your animals at this time.
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21. Can I use the premises identification number to source verify my cattle for marketing purposes?
Premises identification does not automatically make your cattle source or age verified. USDA’s Quality System Assessment (QSA) and Processed Verified Program (PVP) programs may require some of the same information, but these are separate programs.
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22. Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Questions can be directed to the Kansas Animal Health Department at 785-296-2326 or your local Farm Service Agency office or county extension office. Additional information on the national program can be found at www.usda.gov/nais.
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23. What are the benefits for producers to participate in the NAIS?
The driving benefit of this program is disease control. If an outbreak can be contained quickly, the losses that you may suffer will be minimized.
The program will also help increase consumer confidence in the nation’s food supply. Because animal disease outbreaks can be quickly contained and eradicated through the NAIS, domestic foodstuffs will be more protected from the threat of disease.
Another benefit will be the continued ability to compete in the global marketplace. Buyers worldwide, including some domestic customers, are beginning to demand disease traceability.
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