The Mexican Animal Identification System: Current Situation, Problems, and Potential

Mexico initiated a federal animal identification (ID) system (SINIIGA) in 2003. The program is administered by an agency of the federal Department of Agriculture (SAGARPA) and has been used primarily to support a federal subsidy program for livestock producers. The program is conceptually well designed, but implementation thus far falls short of the potential and needs, most importantly in animal disease management. Although substantial numbers of animals have been tagged, relatively little progress has been made in developing a usable animal ID information system. Animal health officials currently are not actively involved in the development and use of the system.