Dallas ? What industry officials call the first national database for tracking livestock was unveiled last week and should be ready this fall for voluntary registration.

The database – initially run by Dallas-based ViaTrace LLC – marks another step toward the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s goal of tracing any animal to its place of origin within 48 hours in order to keep diseased animals out of the food supply.

Several industry experts and others heralded the launch of the database, which will be overseen by the U.S. Animal Identification Organization, a spinoff from a cattle industry trade group.

“Better tracking will help the industry, will help consumers … and helps the U.S. meet its trade goals with the world,” said Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas. “It simply makes sense.”

But the fact that a government agency isn’t operating the database has raised fears in some about data security and increased costs, both of which may keep large numbers of livestock owners from participating.