Title: An act relating to animal identification.

Brief Description: Creating an advisory committee to evaluate animal identification programs.

Sponsors: House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Pettigrew, Kristiansen, Grant, Kretz, Holmquist, Cox, B. Sullivan, Clements, Campbell, Haigh, Newhouse and Linville).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/11/06, 91-3.

Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 2/21/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Jacobsen, Morton and Sheldon.

Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background: The National Animal Identification System is being designed by the United States Department of Agriculture with the goal of having the capability to identify all animal premises and animals that had direct contact with specific foreign or domestic animal diseases within 48 hours of discovery.

The program is anticipated to be developed so that all premises and cattle will be registered in 2008, and cattle movement reporting is to be implemented in 2009. Radio frequency identification tags are among the technology anticipated to be used.

Each state will have specific responsibilities to develop and implement specific components of the system including developing and maintaining databases. The Department of Agriculture is the coordinating entity for this program in Washington State.

Summary of Bill: The Director of Agriculture is to convene an advisory committee composed of representatives from the various segments of the cattle industry that will be involved in the implementation of the state's component of the national animal disease identification program. In making these appointments, the director is to consult with organizations that represent the affected segments of the cattle industry.

The advisory committee is to evaluate the requirements of the federal program, examine approaches being taken in other states, and evaluate demonstration projects in at least two facilities that handle a large number of animals.

The advisory committee must develop a plan for implementation that includes recommended funding amounts and sources and must consult with the Office of Financial Management during the formulation of the funding proposal.

The department shall submit a written report of the activities and recommendations of the advisory committee to the Legislature by December 1, 2006.

The advisory committee expires on July 1, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The bill was a result of a meeting with the Governor's office regarding the transformation of the present cattle identification (brand) system to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The concept is to do a best estimate of what it will take to make the transition.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Jack Field, Washington Cattlemen Association; Chris Cheney, Washington Dairy Federation.