A bill that would prevent the state of South Dakota from participating in the National Animal Identification System was approved 8-5 by the House Ag and Natural Resources Committee last week in Pierre.

It is expected to be taken up by the full House this week.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is supporting the bill.

"Clearly our legislators realize that animal identification should be a personal decision for producers, not something that the state government forces on us," Stockgrowers Vice President Kenny Fox of Belvidere.

According to Fox, HB 1305 would prohibit the state of South Dakota from taking part in NAIS, but it would not stop any individual producer from participating if he or she chooses. Additionally, the state veterinarian would have the freedom to deal with animal disease just as always, Fox said.