2-6 NWR Animal Disease Traceability

This is your Northwest report for Monday, February 6 I'm David Sparks and the Washington Department of Agriculture is working with Oregon and Idaho in the development of animal disease traceability programs which are crucial to expanding trade opportunities for America's cattle producers. Here is Mike Louisell, Public Information Officer Washington State Department of Agriculture. "The Washington State Department of Agriculture's animal disease traceability program is established and operating and it provides a vital service for cattle, calf and dairy cow operations in our state. That industry is a major part of our overall agriculture. It is valued at $2 billion a year. All states across the United States work in partnership with the USDA and the livestock industries to support traceability. This plays a key role in supporting domestic and international sales and keeps our markets open.

Elsewhere, before it wrapped up its meetings last week in Washington D.C., the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) agreed to priorities for the 2018 farm bill.