Partnership to Protect & Promote Wisconsin

Established in 2002, the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) is a non-profit livestock producer and industry organization. WLIC was established as a statewide initiative to develop a livestock identification and information system to protect animal health and market access. Representing more than fifty businesses, organizations and livestock producer associations, WLIC draws upon the collective strength of its diverse membership to help strengthen and advance animal disease traceability in Wisconsin and the nation as a whole. With decreased federal funding and the livestock industry and producers taking on a larger role in protecting animal health, WLIC's efforts going forward are focused on ways to offer opportunities to the industry to enhance the marketability of Wisconsin livestock and livestock products while protecting the health of the Wisconsin livestock.

A Three-Part Approach
The Partnership to Protect & Promote Wisconsin is a three-part approach to protect Wisconsin's livestock industry while maintaining confidentiality of producer data and not increasing the cost to producers.

1. Protect. Part One of the plan involves a shared federal and state contribution to fund the regulatory components of the program. Their combined contribution of $250,000 would allow the continuation and maintenance of the mandatory state premises registration program. Maintaining the premises program is critical to protecting the livestock industry and will allow animal health officials to more quickly respond to a disease outbreak.
   
2. Market. Part Two of the plan involves a Wisconsin Origin branded tag initiative. The Wisconsin Origin tag would consist of a WI seal printed by tag manufacturers on AIN (840) and Premises ID tags distributed in Wisconsin. As consumers and export markets require more traceability of the product sold back to the farm of origin, the Wisconsin branded tag initiative will allow Wisconsin to take a leadership position in this effort. It will also allow for marketability of Wisconsin livestock and livestock products abroad. The potential of a state incentive for producers who purchase the official Wisconsin branded tags is being proposed as part of this program. Tag companies will be asked to pay a small amount per tag printed and/or annual licensing fee for the branded official tag. The goal of the branded tag initiative is to raise $150,000 to pay for the animal identification and traceability program.
   
3. Educate. Part Three of this plan will be an Industry Sponsorship program which will allow any individual or organization that supports WLIC's efforts to make a monetary contribution. The sponsorship program will have different levels of contribution and WLIC's goal is to generate $100,000 through the sponsorship program. In return, WLIC will offer a variety of outreach services and advertising opportunities which can be tailored to the needs of the individual or organization. The money generated through the sponsorship program will be utilized to educate producers and youth on the value of animal health as it relates to premises registration and the benefits of animal identification for herd management and marketing opportunities. The money would also be allocated toward maintaining tradeshow appearances, news articles, and other media related material.

This plan was approved by the WLIC Board of Directors and Membership on September 20, 2011.

WLIC's Vision:

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) will implement an animal identification and information system following nationally established standards. This will support the protection of animal health by fostering cooperation and understanding.

WLIC's Mission:

WLIC's mission is to create a secure, nationally compatible livestock identification system for the purposes of protecting animal health, safeguarding market access, and offering opportunities to enhance the marketability of Wisconsin livestock products.

Why move forward on these efforts?

• Our livestock industry is important to the economic well being of Wisconsin.
• WLIC members understand that a state database of locations where livestock are produced, raised, and kept will aid animal health officials.
• A state system with proper trace back and trace forward capabilities provides timely response to minimize the economic impact in the event of an animal disease outbreak.

Disease traceability is a multi-phase process. It begins with registration of any premises where livestock are raised, marketed, processed, or held for any period of time. This registration is the vital first phase in developing the trace back system. WLIC has established a premises registration program and is offering free registration.

The Value of Wisconsin's Agriculture Industry: WLIC Backgrounder