Tuesday, April 05, 2005

The first of some 5,000 electronic tracking chips are being distributed to Utah livestock owners as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Utah’s domestic elk ranchers will be among the first livestock owners to receive and attach the devices to their animals. The chips will carry an electronic number that will help Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) Brand Inspectors track where and when the animal was born, where it has lived, as well as its health record. During the next several weeks hundreds of the chips will be attached to elk located in various locations in Utah. Eventually many head of cattle, sheep, goat, as well as domestic elk, llama, and alpaca are to carry an electronic chip. The UDAF is also encouraging livestock owners to join a national registry of their premises. The goal of the NAIS is to identify all animals and premises that have had direct contact with a foreign animal disease or domestic disease of concern within 48 hours after discovery. The increasing number of animal disease outbreaks that have occurred around the world, and the recent discovery of Canadian cows that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or “Mad Cow” have greatly intensified public interest in developing a national animal identification program for the purpose of protecting animal and human health. The UDAF will be assisting in the distribution of electronic chips throughout the state during the next few years. Contact the UDAF Division of Animal industry at 801-538-7161 for information about obtaining electronic chips or joining the premises registration program. More information on the program can also be found at:http://ag.utah.gov 8:33:50 AM

Consistent with the direction of the President of the United States, Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. hereby authorizes the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Utah to be lowered to half staff as a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II. The flags shall be lowered immediately on all state facilities and remain at half staff until sunset on the day of his interment. See below for the text of the Proclamation by the President of the United States of America: President Bush Orders Flags Flown at Half Staff in Honor of Pope John Paul II A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America As a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of his interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty ninth. GEORGE W. BUSH 8:25:51 AM