News
______________________________________________________________________________________
Tom
April 18, 2008
PREMISES
REGISTRATION VOLUNTARY FOR 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Premises
registration will be encouraged, but not required to exhibit livestock at state,
county, 4-H and FFA fairs in 2008.
The Illinois Department of
Agriculture today announced premium books, which specify the rules and regulations
for various fair competitions, will state that
participation in the national animal health program is strictly voluntary.
“We’re working with livestock groups on
a compromise to this issue, and everyone I’ve talked
to has suggested that additional education and outreach is needed,” Acting
Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said.
“This decision will enable such efforts to continue while we work on an
agreement that everyone can live with.”
Although the department has withdrawn
its requirement that livestock exhibitors obtain a premises registration number
to show at fairs, it still believes the information would greatly improve the
ability of
“A premises registration number is
like a 9-1-1 address for animals,”
our disease-fighting capabilities,
especially at high-risk events like fairs where large numbers of animals are
confined for short periods of time and then moved.”
The full text of the entry pertaining
to premises registration that will be published in
fair premium books follows:
Premises Registration is voluntary to exhibit livestock
(beef, dairy, horses, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits) at the
Choosing to register your premises
puts you on the frontline of controlling and preventing the spread of animal
disease. A disease outbreak can’t be predicted but it can impact every segment of animal
agriculture. Participation ensures that
you have the information you need, when you need it most, to protect your
animals and your investment. Registering
a premises involves obtaining a seven-character
alpha-numeric “identifier” for the farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or other site
where livestock or fowl are handled, housed, managed or processed.
If an exhibitor wants to register
their animals an application form can be found on-line
at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid. Exhibitors who register on-line will receive
a premises registration number immediately. An application can
also be obtained by calling 866/299-9256. If completing application and
returning by mail, it may take up to four weeks to receive the number.
Premium books will be
available in early May. They can be accessed online at www.illinoisstatefair.info.