Premises ID numbers will be required to exhibit livestock at Illinois state, county, 4-H and FFA fairs beginning in 2008, the Illinois Department of Agriculture says.

“Premises registration is the first step toward the establishment of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and will greatly improve the ability of Illinois animal health professionals to contain disease outbreaks,” a release says.

Nearly 9,000 Illinois livestock operations already have enrolled in the NAIS, representing about 30% of the state's premises.