New horse microchip approved for use in US

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a new equine radio frequency identification (RFID) injectable transponder for use in horses, the American Horse Council (AHC) says.

The microchip contains a passive transponder programmed with a unique 15-digit number that can be read by any ISO-compliant reader. Each microchip is capped with a patented, biocompatible material called BioBond which prevents migration from the site of implantation, an item that was necessary to gain USDA approval.

The microchip will also enable a horse's temperature to be read at the site of implantation. The recommended site for the chip is in the nuchal ligament on the left side, in the middle third of the neck, halfway between the ears and the withers.

Kerry Thompson, Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs for the AHC, said the industry expects that in the future additional companies will apply for USDA approval of equine microchips to be developed and sold in the US.

"Microchips can be a valuable tool to the equine industry to identify horses, whether as proof of ownership if lost or stolen, or to identify horses in breeding or boarding operations, competitions or domestic and international travel," he said.

Digital Angel's new LifeChip can also be used for participation in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a voluntary program developed by USDA to enhance animal disease traceability through standardizing the identification of premises, livestock and animal movements. It is the first microchip to be approved for use in the NAIS.

Digital Angel Corporation's (formerly Destron Fearing) LifeChip is compliant with all US animal safety standards, as well as with the requirements of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

The AHC further reports that one of the recommendations the Equine Species Working Group made to the USDA when reviewing how the equine industry might fit into a voluntary NAIS, suggested that the ISO/ANSI compatible RFID chip (11784/85, 134.2 kHz) be the recommended standard of electronic equine identification to control disease and for uniformity and compatibility necessary to achieve the goals of NAIS. The LifeChip satisfies this standard.