RFID Chip: USDA Approves Digital Angel's RFID Chip For Equine Use In National Animal Identification System
Digital Angel Corporation , an advanced technology company in the field of rapid and accurate identification, location tracking and condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced recently that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the Company's LifeChip equine radio frequency identification (RFID) injectable transponder for use as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The USDA made the announcement at the Ag ID Info Expo held last week in Kansas City, Mo.
"We are very proud our LifeChip microchip is the first of its kind to receive NAIS approval," said Rae Powell, vice president of sales and marketing for Destron Fearing , Digital Angel's animal applications business. "We believe this is another important step forward for our Company as the U.S. moves closer to establishing a national animal identification system.
"Not only does our LifeChip fulfill all U.S. animal safety standards, it also complies on a global platform with the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). Furthermore, our LifeChip with Bio-Thermo temperature-sensing technology differentiates our product from the competition."
The exclusive Bio-Thermo feature allows equine owners, breeders, trainers and veterinarians to quickly and safely check a horse's temperature at the site of administration. Each LifeChip microchip – about the size of a grain of rice – contains a passive transponder programmed with a unique 15-digit number that can be read by any ISO-compliant reader.
Once administered, microchip numbers can be recorded in breed and discipline registries or kept in farm and ranch files for future reference. They are invaluable in providing proof of ownership in the event that a horse is lost or stolen. They also can be used to identify horses involved in breeding operations, competitive sports, and international and domestic travel.
Paramount in gaining NAIS approval is the exclusive use of a patented, biocompatible material called BioBond that eliminates potential migration and secures the microchip to the administration site. LifeChip microchips offer an unalterable means of identifying horses and ponies of all ages, breeds and sizes.
About Digital Angel Corporation
Digital Angel Corporation (www.DigitalAngelCorp.com) develops and deploys sensor and communications technologies that enable rapid and accurate identification, location tracking and condition monitoring of high-value assets. Applications for Digital Angel's products include identification and monitoring of humans, pets, fish, poultry and livestock through its patented implantable microchips; location tracking and message monitoring of vehicles and aircraft in remote locations through systems that integrate GPS and geosynchronous satellite communications; and monitoring of asset conditions such as temperature and movement through advanced miniature sensors.
SOURCE: Digital Angel Corporation