More than 10,000 N.C. premises registered through NCFarmID

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has reached a milestone in its NCFarmID program, with more than 10,000 premises now registered in the state.

NCFarmID is part of an effort to protect North Carolina’s food supply and animal industry by identifying farms with livestock.

North Carolina leads other states in the Southeast in farm registrations and is one of the top states in regards to education, outreach and registration of the commercial livestock industry. Nearly 28 percent of premises have voluntarily registered for the program.

“This program promotes human health, animal health and food safety. It’s the right thing to do and is in everyone’s best interests,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

NCFarmID is North Carolina’s part of the National Animal Identification System, a three-part program with the goal of tracing a disease outbreak back to a farm within 48 hours.

Through premises registration, a unique national identification number is assigned to locations in North Carolina where animals are born and raised. Tying a premises identification number to an individual animal identification number allows first responders to more effectively trace animal disease back to its source. This system is used in Canada and throughout Europe.

Farmers are encouraged to voluntarily participate in the program. For more information about the program, visit www.NCFarmID.com.