Locate in 48

FAQs

Why is it important to have a 48-hour disease traceback capability?
What are premises?
What is a premises identification number?
How much does it cost to have my premises registered?
How do I register?
What animals are considered to be livestock for this program?
If I have National Scrapie Eradication Program Flock identification, do I also need to have a premises identification number?
Is this a mandatory program?
Will the information I share about my premises and animals be kept confidential?
What information do I need in order to register my premises?
Why would GPS coordinates be beneficial?
What if I lease a farm?
Do I need multiple premises identification numbers if I operate on more than one site?
Do I have to register premises separately if they are located in a different county than my main premises?
If my cattle graze on my property that crosses state lines, do I need to register twice?
Does registering my premises require me to individually identify or tag my animals?
Can I use the premises identification number to source verify my cattle for marketing purposes?
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
What are the benefits for producers to participate in Idaho’s Locate In 48 program?
Is Locate In 48 related to the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) initiative?
What is the connection between Idaho’s Locate In 48 program and NAIS?

1. Why is it important to have a 48-hour disease traceback capability?
To protect the health of the livestock in Idaho and in the United States, being able to trace and contain a disease within 48 hours is essential. A traceback system will allow for rapid tracing of animals in the event of an outbreak, helping to limit the scope and expense of an outbreak.

2. What are premises?
Premises are any location where animals are managed or held—farms and ranches, hobby farms, veterinary clinics, stables, livestock markets, livestock trucker and dealer sites, slaughter and rendering facilities, livestock exhibitions, etc.

3. What is a premises identification number?
Idaho’s Locate In 48 program is not being implemented because of COOL. The program is creating a way to manage animal health events within a 48-hour period. However, a COOL “safe harbor” is being developed that would allow packers to use Locate In 48 to determine livestock’s country of origin and still be in compliance with COOL requirements.

4. How much does it cost to have my premises registered?
There is no cost for registering premises.

5. How do I register?
It’s easy to register your premises in Idaho. Simply complete the registration form, sign it, and return it by mail to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

6. What animals are considered to be livestock for this program?
All cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, horses, cervids (deer, elk), camelids (llama, alpacas), captive game birds, and aquaculture are considered livestock.

7. If I have National Scrapie Eradication Program Flock identification, do I also need to have a premises identification number?
Yes. The flock identification is given to a unit of animals. Premises identification refers to a physical location where the animals are housed. If a flock moves to a new location, the flock identification will remain the same and the flock will be given a new premises identification number.

8. Is this a mandatory program?
Participation in Idaho’s premises identification program is voluntary.

9. Will the information I share about my premises and animals be kept confidential?
Yes, the information you provide is confidential according to Idaho law (Title 25-207B, Chapter 2, Idaho Code).

Only state animal health and public health officials may access the data if an animal health event or a public safety emergency should occur.

10. What information do I need in order to register my premises?
The ISDA requires the following pieces of information: name and contact information of the landowner, physical location of the premises, operation type, livestock species, and name and contact information of the livestock owner or primary caretaker.

Premises registration does not include the number of animals, their identification number, or other information.

11. Why would GPS coordinates be beneficial?
GPS coordinates relay the longitude and latitude of a physical location. They can be very beneficial in determining the location of premises without a physical address in the case of an animal health event. Your local Farm Service Agency office, brand inspector, or state livestock inspector can provide you with the appropriate GPS coordinates for your premises. This information is not required, but it is useful.

12. What if I lease a farm?
If you want to register leased premises, you will need the permission of the landowner. Verbal permission is sufficient.

13. Do I need multiple premises identification numbers if I operate on more than one site?
Use the physical address for the main premises when registering. If you have animals on multiple premises and all or part of the animals are moved between the premises, you can register all the premises under one premises identification number.

14. Do I have to register premises separately if they are located in a different county than my main premises?
No, you do not have to register premises under a different premises identification number if they are in another county from your main premises.

15. If my cattle graze on my property that crosses state lines, do I need to register twice?
No, if the property is managed by the same operator and the cattle commingle, only one premises identification number is needed. The property owner/manager should contact both states and explain the situation to determine how best to register.

16. Does registering my premises require me to individually identify or tag my animals?
No, you do not have to individually identify or tag your animals.

17. Can I use the premises identification number to source verify my cattle for marketing purposes?
Premises identification does not automatically make your cattle source or age verified. USDA’s Quality System Assessment (QSA) and Processed Verified Program (PVP) programs may require some of the same information, but these are separate programs.

18. Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Questions can be directed to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture at 208-332-8540. Additional information on the national program can be found at www.usda.gov/nais.

19. What are the benefits for producers to participate in Idaho’s Locate In 48 program?
The driving benefit of this program is disease control. If an outbreak can be contained quickly, the losses that you may suffer will be minimized.

The program will also help increase consumer confidence in food from Idaho. Because animal health events can be managed quickly, domestic foodstuffs will be more protected from the threat of disease.

Another benefit will be the continued ability to compete in the global marketplace. Buyers worldwide, including some domestic customers, are beginning to demand disease traceability.

20. Is Locate In 48 related to the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) initiative?
Idaho’s Locate In 48 program is not being implemented because of COOL. The program is creating a way to manage animal health events within a 48-hour period. However, a COOL “safe harbor” is being developed that would allow packers to use Locate In 48 to determine livestock’s country of origin and still be in compliance with COOL requirements.

21. What is the connection between Idaho’s Locate In 48 program and NAIS?
Locate In 48 is a state-driven program designed to support the NAIS efforts on a local level. Its purpose is to build understanding about the important role a disease traceback program can play for commercial and noncommercial producers in Idaho.

Register Your Premises