SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In light of the announcement that approximately 30 percent of livestock premises have registered with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), the Illinois Department of Agriculture stated this is just one of the ways the state is protecting its citizens and farmers.

Besides the premises ID program, Illinois is also training veterinarians to be on the lookout for emerging foreign animal diseases. Since these vets are often first on the scene in a disease outbreak, this training can possibly avert a spread of disease elsewhere. The goal of the Illinois Veterinary Emergency Response Team (IVERT) program is to provide training to at least one vet in every county.

Another way Illinois is protecting consumers is by requiring a permit for all livestock imported into the state for production or exhibition. This system allows state ag officials advance notice so they may quickly trace needed information should a diseased animal enter the state.

Funding the development of a Geographic Information System to track agricultural assets such as farms, grain elevators and food processing plants is also underway. This system, once completed, will be the first of its kind. This will provide a valuable database of information to identify sensitive resources and aid decision-making during emergencies.

The state is also working with its neighbors. By organizing meetings with neighboring states, it is possible to develop regional communications plans and guidelines for tracing and controlling the movement of livestock in an emergency.

Always on every livestock producer’s mind is the term “Mad Cow.” The state is expanding surveillance for Mad Cow disease. This may help put producers’ minds at ease, knowing that cattle feed produced on Illinois farms do not contain ingredients that could transmit the rare brain-wasting disease.

Under terms of an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration, the department annually conducts 150 on-farm inspections and analyzes 500 feed samples. It also inspects 50 agribusinesses that sell, blend or transport cattle feed to make sure no prohibited ingredients are present in their products.