WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2005 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a public meeting to discuss development of a privatized animal movement tracking database under the National Animal Identification System. The meeting, with stakeholders and members of the public, will be held Oct. 12, in Kansas City, MO.

Topics to be discussed at the meeting include: the formation of a new entity representing all affected industry sectors to develop and provide ongoing oversight of the privatized animal tracking database; and the required system specifications and user requirements necessary to support animal health surveillance programs and traceback investigations.

The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel and Suites Kansas City-City Center, 1301 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Mo. Advanced registration is not required.

Notice of this public meeting was published in the Sept. 20 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.