The National Institute for Animal Agriculture and the United States Animal Health Association co-hosted a Joint Industry and Regulatory Strategy Forum on Animal Disease Traceability in Denver, Colorado, Aug. 30-31, 2010.

Thirty-seven states were represented at the meeting. The 193 attendees included a variety of representatives from the beef, dairy, pork, poultry, sheep, goat, horse, deer, and camelid industries. Several members from USDA, including Chief Veterinary Medical Officer John Clifford of APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and several state veterinarians were available to answer questions about the new animal disease traceability framework developed by the State/Tribal Working Group.

A White Paper has been developed to capture the main points of discussion at the Forum. The Paper documents the many issues and potential solutions surrounding animal disease traceability which will be useful to decision-makers as rules are developed.