On August 1, 2006, the Equine Species Working Group (ESWG) made recommendations to the NAIS Subcommittee on how the equine industry might reach NAIS compliance in the future. Each of the different species working groups report to the NAIS Subcommittee, which in turn reports to the Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases. Two key points were the focus of the ESWG report: movement and identification.

Reportable movements are a major concern and topic of discussion with the ESWG. Because of the extensive daily movement of horses not only intra- and interstate, but internationally, the ESWG decided to focus on those horses that are at the greatest risk of being exposed to and/or spreading disease. In recognizing the heavy burden that would be placed on horse owners or premises managers/owners by a reporting mechanism, it was recommended by the ESWG that the horse industry continue to rely on the current regulatory mechanisms in place for horses that move. These regulations, requiring a brand inspection, Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), VS-127 Permit or International CVI prior to movement will serve as the starting point for trace back in the event of a disease outbreak