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Digital Angels Destron Fearing Unit Announces Adoption of Its USDA-Approved Swine Premise Tag by Cargill

^{Published on 2008-12-18 11:33:29 - Market Wire}
 

SO. ST. PAUL, Minn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Digital Angel (NASDAQ:DIGA), an advanced technology company in the field of animal identification and emergency identification solutions, announced today that its USDA-approved Swine Premise Tag has been adopted by Cargill Pork, the pork production unit of Minneapolis, MN-based Cargill, Inc.

Earlier this year the USDA announced its approval of the first visual Premises Identification Number (PIN) tags for swine entering harvest channels. While not for use as individual animal identification, the new tags, manufactured by Digital Angel's Destron Fearing subsidiary, provide a valuable tool to enhance the traceability of breeding stock and to support the National Animal Identification System.

The Swine Premise Tag consists of a pink tamper-proof button and a pink visual panel stud. Each tag carries the official US shield, the assigned seven-character, alpha-numeric premises identification number and a notice stating "Unlawful to Remove". Space is also available on the visual panel for producers wanting to include an individual management number.

"Cargill Pork has long supported premises identification as it relates to swine health programs and policy. The implementation of Destron Fearing tags into our system just makes sense as the next upgrade to our identification system, and the Premise Tag is a great fit for all current and foreseeable quality programs such as PQA Plus," said David Nolan, senior operations manager for Cargill Pork.

"We felt it was important to take the lead on being the first provider of a USDA-approved Swine Premise Tag," said Joseph J. Grillo, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Angel. "Having an industry leader such as Cargill Pork adopt our swine identification products for its production needs affirms our commitment to provide our customers with solutions that help keep them in front of today's changing marketplace."

About Digital Angel

Digital Angel ([ www.digitalangel.com ]) is an advanced technology company in the field of animal identification and emergency identification solutions. Digital Angel's products are utilized around the world in such applications as pet identification using its patented, FDA-approved implantable microchip; livestock identification and tracking using visual and radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags; and global positioning systems (GPS) search and rescue beacons for use on aircraft, ships and boats, and by adventure enthusiasts.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Forward-looking statements included in this press release include, without limitation, those concerning expectations regarding the expected benefits of the technology.These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company's businesses is set forth in the Company's Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors" filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 17, 2008, and subsequent filings with the SEC.The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.