Wisconsin Ag Connection - WLIC: Avian Flu Proves That Premises ID is Important

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WLIC: Avian Flu Proves That Premises ID is Important
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/27/2015

The recent outbreaks of avian influenza within Wisconsin's poultry industry serve as a reminder that all farms should have their operations registered as part of the mandatory premises identification rule. Since the first case of H5N2 was discovered in the state earlier this month, the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium has been utilizing its registration database for emergency response purposes.

"Many may not realize how important this system is to controlling an animal disease threat in Wisconsin such as this one," said WLIC Director Alan Clark. "This system was built to house the information for premises registration on a private and secure database as one way to maintain a strong agriculture industry in Wisconsin."

When the first facility in Jefferson County was identified two weeks ago, the agency provided the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture with a list of poultry owners located within the quarantine and surveillance zones. Using this information, DATCP was able to contact all the poultry owners and arrange to test their birds for the virus. The consortium is also answering calls from producers and keeping a close eye on the HPAI disease response.

State and local health officials have been able to access premise registration information to aid in decreasing the time required to manage the diseases, and restore Wisconsin's livestock markets. When spring weigh-ins were cancelled last year for swine heading to county fairs, WLIC also instituted a DNA program to maintain individual identity on exhibition pigs.

Since November 1, 2005, the Wisconsin Premises Registration Act requires anyone who keeps, houses, or co-mingles livestock to register their premises with the state.

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