National Animal Identification System: Fancier Perspective

With respect to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), poultry science professors are key players in resolving the concerns of fanciers in every state, because they have been and will be involved in developing the plans to implement the NAIS in their state. Highly restrictive, financially prohibitive regulations that ignore the needs of standard-bred exhibition poultry will cripple and then destroy an important part of our nation's poultry industry. This applies not only to NAIS but also to other regulations that affect the testing and movement of poultry. For example, poultry from other states entered in any fair or club poultry show in Texas must have been tested for avian influenza within 30 d of the entry date. This has eliminated entries from outside Texas, because there are very few veterinarians in Texas and other states that are qualified to test and retest the birds and provide the necessary health papers. We cannot host an American Poultry Association (APA) district meet in our 5-state district number 7 much less be considered for an APA national show. We recommend that any flock participating in the National Poultry Improvement Plan program should be considered adequately monitored and should be allowed into any state that is not under quarantine. Even if the recommendation stated above is adopted, it will not help producers in a state such as Texas, which does not allow fanciers to become part of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Texas fanciers go to Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico for exhibitions, but exhibitors from those states have been effectively eliminated from Texas shows. Anything that poultry science specialists can do to help prevent or change regulations detrimental to exhibition poultry is greatly needed and appreciated. The leadership of the APA and the American Bantam Association agrees with the NAIS and are actively involved in defining a plan that accomplishes program goals but does not cripple or end their contribution to the poultry industry. Furthermore, we urge our members to comply with the laws and regulations affecting poultry. There is no reason that commercial poultry and standard-bred exhibition poultry cannot exist side by side if both groups, in conjunction with the proper authorities, work together for their mutual benefit. These organizations are committed to that goal!