IDME, the Maine Animal Identification Program

IDME and NAIS (National Animal Identification System) is a modern, streamlined information system that helps livestock and poultry owners and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in Maine and the United States.

The IDME and NAIS initiatives are voluntary State-Federal-Industry partnerships designed to:

Protect your premises and your livelihood
Reduce hardships caused by an animal disease outbreak in your community
Protect your access to markets

You have the power to protect yourself, your animals, and your community against the impact of a disease outbreak. IDME can help you - but the choice to participate is yours.

The goal of IDME is to promote voluntary premises registration. Premises registration is free and all contact information remains confidential at the State level in accordance with 7 M.R.S.A. §20. Federal law also protects individuals’ private information and confidential business information from disclosure. Premises registration includes the farm name, owner name, 911 addresses, telephone number and species type of animals residing on the premises. State animal health officials will only access this information in the event of a disease outbreak. Choosing to register a premises does not obligate any producer to individually identify animals or to record and report animal movements.

Our animal health officials believe premises registration is the missing tool to help them swiftly respond to, control and eradicate a disease outbreak. Premises registration allows these officials to alert producers of a disease outbreak and to advise them on measures to minimize their risks. Animal health officials are mandated to plan, respond to, and control and/or eradicate disease outbreaks. Knowing the location of farm animals will enhance a rapid response. The length of time it takes to gain control over a disease outbreak dictates the extent of the economic and social losses.

Why should you participate in Premises Registration?