Livestock Identification and Marketing Opportunities Act

H.R. 3170, the Livestock Identification and Marketing Opportunities Act, proposes the creation of a national electronic tracking system for livestock including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry. The bill would establish a Livestock Identification Board to manage a centralized database capable of tracing an animal’s movements from its original farm to the slaughterhouse within 48 hours. While the system would be mandatory for animals entering commercial trade, the bill also allows owners to enroll other animals voluntarily to improve disease monitoring and market transparency.

For the average citizen, this legislation aims to enhance food safety and national security by allowing the government to quickly contain outbreaks of animal-borne diseases or pests. To protect the privacy of farmers and ranchers, the bill classifies tracking data as confidential and exempts it from public disclosure requests, though it grants access to law enforcement, public health officials, and national security agencies when necessary. If enacted, the bill would standardize how livestock information is recorded and shared across state and tribal lines to ensure a more rapid response to agricultural emergencies.