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Wisconsin Assembly Ag Chair says this is why we need mandatory premises ID

The Chair ofthe Wisconsin State Assembly Agriculture Committee says the current swine influenza issue is a prime example of the need for mandatory premises identification in the state. Amy Sue Vruwink says at times like these, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) needsto know where susceptible livestock are located. “Premises registration allows DATCP to immediately trace and track down the location of disease outbreaks such as the swine influenza, pseudorabies, and other potential diseases that could affect our state’s agriculture industry.” Thisinformation is also of no cost to our producers and by law is kept completely confidential. “Now we are witnessing what could possibly happen if an untraceable disease outbreak were to occur to the families of Wisconsin and to the entire Ag industry.”

Recently,Representative Scott Suder introduced legislation which would make premises registration voluntary rather than mandatory in Wisconsin. Two years ago DATCP officials had to visit a number of farms in Suder’s district as they were tracking down hogs after pseudorabies was found at two locations inClark County.