Amy Mann of the American Horse Council presented an update on efforts of the Equine Species Working Group (ESWG) in her presentation at the National Institute of Animal Agriculture (NIAA) ID Info Expo held in Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 22-24. The ESWG was established in October 2003 with 37 industry representatives and animal health officials.

“The purpose of the ESWG is to represent the equine industry in the development of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and to evaluate NAIS and the potential benefits and costs of the system,” said Mann. “Our goal is to develop recommendations for USDA on how the horse industry might be included in NAIS, should it become mandatory.”

Mann said a national equine ID program is necessary to protect the nation’s horses and industry by addressing human health issues, bio-terrorism, lost identity of missing horses, emergency management, and by working together with international trading partners.

During the first week of August 2006, the ESWG made recommendations to the NAIS. Two key points were made as they relate to movement and ID