Sec. 1. 7 MRSA c. 308 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 308

MAINE ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

§2001.__Maine Animal Identification Program

The commissioner shall establish by rule the Maine Animal Identification Program for the identification and registration of livestock and poultry premises, the identification and tagging of individual animals from the registered premises and the tracking of identified animals back to registered premises within a 48- hour period.__The Maine Animal Identification Program must be consistent with the standards of the National Animal Identification System as issued by the United States Department of Agriculture.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to establish the Maine Animal Identification Program by rule consistent with the requirements of the federal system.