The legislature has voted to create an animal identification system that would make tracking diseased livestock easier.

The senate voted 20-7 for the bill allows the state agriculture department to develop and implement an animal identification system for all livestock

The system would work in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The move comes after the state's first case of mad cow disease was announced earlier this month. Authorities have been unable to track the cow's history because of a lack of identification.

State officials say the system would not harm small farmers, and would treat the information with confidentiality.

The bill now goes to Gov. Bob Riley to decide whether to sign it into law.