Courtesy Photo/Image Sherry Vinton

The Nebraska Farm Bureau supports a voluntary national animal ID system, Sherry Vinton told a panel of officials June 1 at USDA's National Animal Identification System listening session in Loveland, Colo.

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Vinton, a rancher near Arthur, is a member of the board of directors of the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Nebraska's livestock producers understand the importance of animal disease control and traceability, she said, but NAIS has raised numerous issues.

"Nebraska Farm Bureau believes that four important concerns need to be continuously monitored in order for the program to operate effectively: cost, confidentiality, education, and liability," she said.

Food animal producers of all sizes could see increased costs for NAIS. While most businesses are able to pass increases to consumers, ag producers can't and would have to bear the additional burden.

Farm Bureau believes the federal government should bear more of the costs of the program, Vinton said.

Producers need more clarity from USDA about who would access data in the NAIS, and be protection from unintended use of the data they submit, she said.

Vinton called on Congress to pass legislation ensuring the privacy of producers' information from competitors, activist groups and government agencies not directly associated with animal health protection.

The USDA also needs to do more to educate food animal producers about NAIS, she said.

"Nebraska's farmers and ranchers also must be protected from the consequences of the actions of others, after their animals are no longer under their control. This type of liability protection includes nuisance suits naming everyone who handled a particular animal," she said.

"Producers are much more likely to participate in the voluntary program if liability protection exists," she said.

Vinton was one of 52 testifiers at the listening session. All but four opposed a mandatory system, she said.