Privacy and a National Animal ID System
In response to the scare over "mad cow disease" the U.S. Department of Agriculture is holding a series of public hearings around the country to allow feedback on the creation of a national animal ID system. The system is intended to track cattle at every step of their existence all the way to grocery stores or restaurants. The goal is to within 48 hours of the discovery of a disease threat to have identified where the animal had been and every potential contact. It is hoped that such a system would facilitate rapid response of containment efforts and prevent panic.
Privacy a big issue in animal ID program, Mount Vernon News, September 10, 2004
