Nais

Nais may refer to several distinct concepts. The most widely known is the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a United States government initiative aimed at animal traceability.

NAIS aimed to establish a nationwide system for identifying livestock and premises. It proposed three linked components: premises identification, individual animal identification (such as RFID tags or ear tags), and a centralized database to record movements. The goal was rapid traceability to control animal diseases and facilitate responses to outbreaks.

Implementation and status: Development began in the early 2000s and participation was voluntary, with concerns raised about cost, privacy, and regulatory burden by producers and some state agencies. In 2009–2010, USDA signaled a shift away from a federally mandated nationwide system, favoring state and industry-based, voluntary programs instead. Since then, there has not been a national mandatory NAIS; various state programs and private-sector tracing efforts exist, and the concept has influenced ongoing animal health surveillance and traceability frameworks.

Other uses: Beyond the acronym, "nais" can appear in other contexts, including as a word in certain languages (for example, in Filipino/Tagalog, "nais" means to want or desire) and as a surname or place name in various regions. The meaning of "nais" depends on context.