Volume 9 | April 30, 2018
NIAA Conference Discusses Traceability in Exports
The U.S. is extremely vulnerable to unforeseen situations, such as foreign animal disease outbreaks, according to presentations at the recent National Institute of Animal Agriculture's (NIAA) Annual Conference in Denver. WLIC attended the three-day conference, held April 10-12, which focused on the importance of animal traceability.

While disease outbreak is an important reason to have national traceability standards, the conference also focused on the importance of a traceability system for the export market.

"In 2017, the U.S. exported 2.8 billion pounds of beef, pork and other proteins, amounting to more than $7.3 billion dollars," said Thad Lively, of the U.S. Meat Federation, a non-profit organization that oversees trade interests for beef, pork and other industries.

The U.S. is number three of the top 10 exporters, with Brazil and Australia at number one and two. The U.S. currently does not have mandatory traceability, unlike almost all other export countries. Many of the import countries require traceability, especially China, who requires both export and import traceability, Lively told the crowd.

Producers, markets, state vets and others who attended the conference discussed the need for traceability in the U.S. and how both the export market requirements and the consumer's expectation will drive the issue forward.

"If there were a disease outbreak in the U.S.," said Lively, "the process of re-opening foreign markets would be that much more difficult, not to mention the decline in consumer confidence."

Other presentations included the role consumers will play in the issue of traceability in the U.S. moving forward. According to those representing Angus Beef, 69 percent of consumers want more information about where their food comes from, and have the expectation that we can trace our products back to the farm of origin.
WLIC Job Opening: Communications/Office Assistant
WLIC is seeking a communications/office assistant to work in its Verona office.

This individual will support data entry and data management functions of the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, as well as provide communications support. The position will provide technical phone support to users of the WLIC premise registration information system and will handle information requests and resolve registrant issues through written and phone correspondence.
This position reports to the Executive Director.

Meet Our Members
Allflex USA is one of the world leaders in design, technology, manufacturing and delivery of animal identification for traceability systems across all production. Allflex brings cutting-edge, practical applications of visual, electronic and radio frequency animal identification technology to livestock industries across the world, contributing to a safer global food supply.

Thank you to Allflex for their support of WLIC as a Bronze member, as well as for providing a 10 cent rebate to WLIC for every Wisconsin-branded tag sold!

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