WASHINGTON, June 16, 2004—The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it is accepting funding applications from state and tribal governments to support the initial implementation of the national animal identification system (NAIS). A total of $11.64 million will be available for implementing an identification system for all livestock and poultry animals on farms and ranches.

"A national animal identification program will better equip the government and industry with the means necessary to quickly control a variety of animal disease outbreaks and reduce the economic impacts on the market," said W. Ron DeHaven, APHIS administrator. "This funding we're making available to states and tribes will help move us toward achieving this goal."

In April, more than $18 million was transferred from USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to begin implementing a national system that will quickly and efficiently trace diseased or potentially diseased animals to their point of origin. Of this amount, more than $11 million is available for state and tribal governments to focus chiefly on premises identification. The remainder of the funds will be used to support the development of the national animal identification program, including carrying out outreach activities and building database architecture.

In addition to registering premises, states and tribes will have the option of carrying out field trials or research for administering animal identification and collecting animal movement data. APHIS will distribute the funds through approximately 20 cooperative agreements. USDA aims to get the components of the national premises system in place first. Once the agreements are awarded, cooperating states and tribes can use the funds to begin registering premises.

Funding application packages are available on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/fmd/ agreements_announcements.html. Applications can be submitted electronically to neil.e.hammerschmidt@aphis.usda.gov or through http://www.grants.gov. Paper applications also can be mailed to USDA, APHIS, VS, c/o Neil Hammerschmidt, NAIS coordinator, National Center for Animal Health Programs, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Suite 3A54, Riverdale, MD 20737.

The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. EST on July 15. Following the selection process, all applicants will be notified of their funding status. APHIS anticipates awarding funds in August 2004.