51.   A pair of firms specializing in biometric identification systems announced that they would combine efforts as a merged company.

52.   European Union farm ministers on Wednesday approved a beef labeling and cattle identification system aimed at preventing another mad cow-type health scare.

53.   Fingerscan is a subsidiary of Identix International, a company that pioneered the development of patented live-scan fingerprint systems and biometric identification systems.

54.   He added that the global trading of goods will not be efficient without a harmonised international identification system.

55.   In addition, officials are examining whether to impose a better identification system to keep track of sheep and goats and enable infections to be traced to the source.

56.   In the past, many animal owners have had success with a low-tech identification system -- either dog tags that identify the animals, or a tattoo.

57.   IrisIdent, a biometric identification system developed by Sensar Inc., identifies people by unique variations in the iris, the colored ring of the eye.

58.   Its partners demand a detailed mad cow eradication program with a significant culling of young animals, a viable cow and herd identification system.

59.   Several groups criticized that idea as a step toward imposition of a national identification system on all U.S. citizens.

60.   That will give activists every opportunity to refine their arguments for an identification system without names.