Colorado 4-H Policy Continues Work to Enhance Traceability of Livestock

Traceability has emerged as a key component in protecting markets from the potential fallout of animal disease – enabling diseases to quickly be found, controlled and eradicated before paralyzing markets.

With these considerations in mind and with urging from various allied animal industry groups, the Colorado 4-H Youth Programs and FFA programs had planned to make premises registration with NAIS required for all 4-H and FFA members as of October 1, 2007.  However, a year after the announcement of the initial policy, and after listening carefully to many residents around the state, the Colorado State 4-H office has announced a policy adjustment related to premises registration.  The policy as of October 1, 2007, will read:

"All 4-H members with livestock and horse projects will be required to have a completed, signed, and approved ‘Animal Care and Housing Form for Colorado 4-H Livestock Projects’ on file at their county Extension office at time of enrollment.  It is highly recommended that Colorado 4-H livestock project animals (beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, goat, poultry, llama and horse) have a premises registration with the National Animal Identification System."

-30-