The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) supports an effective National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that contains the following key elements:

1. USDA implementation of all species working group reports that were submitted to the NAIS Subcommittee of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases.
2. USDA development of minimum standards for a NAIS.
3. Rapid implementation of a mandatory NAIS.
4. Implementation benchmarks and timelines established in federal regulation to achieve the NAIS goals identified in the strategic plan.
5. Implementation that continues to engage all stakeholders in providing input through the NAIS Subcommittee of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases and other designated forums.
6. Database(s) that are accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by animal health officials.
7. System cost does not detract from effective implementation.
8. A system that is workable for producers of all sizes.
9. Exception from freedom of information disclosure laws for data collected in support of the NAIS.