The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in collaboration with local state animal health officials, is hosting two additional meetings regarding the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) system with the primary focus of traceability in the cattle and bison sectors.
The initial ADT framework contained basic traceability components and was supported by the January 2013 regulation, “Traceability for Livestock Moving Interstate.” APHIS and state officials will provide information on what has been accomplished, as well traceability gaps or shortfalls.
The purpose of the meetings is to hear from the industry on their experiences with ADT: What areas are working well? What aspects are challenging, confusing, or problematic? How can these obstacles can be rectified? In addition APHIS would like to obtain stakeholder views on the longer-term issues; in particular, what is the level of traceability that should be considered if we are to move beyond the basic traceability framework.
The upcoming meetings will be held on July 18 and 20, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (local time). The public meetings will be held in the following locations:

• July 18: Embassy Suites Omaha Downtown, 555 South 10th Street, Omaha, Nebraska.
• July 20: Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle, 3300 Championship Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas.

If you plan to attend a meeting, we ask that you register in advance by visiting http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/adt-meeting-registrations. Same-day registration will also be available at each meeting site. We will accept written statements regarding the ADT system until July 31, 2017. You may also submit written statements using one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0016.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2017-0016, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

For more information you may contact Dr. Sunny Geiser-Novotny, Cattle Health Staff/ADT Veterinarian, Surveillance, Preparedness, and Response Services, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Mailstop 3E13, Room 3E97, Fort Collins, CO 80526, (970) 494-7372.
Source:  USDA APHIS