PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: NOV. 30, 2006
CONTACT: RICHARD BEAN 434.263.8704
RE: INCOMING AG. CHAIR PETERSON DEMANDS MANDATORY NATIONAL ANIMAL ID; SAYS VOLUNTARY PROGRAM “SCREWED UP”
Minnesota’s Peterson Wants Immediate Mandatory National Animal ID
The Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (VICFA) reports that incoming House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) wants an immediate mandatory National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Peterson has long supported a mandatory NAIS.
Minnesota’s Sauk Centre Herald writes that Peterson finds the USDA’s current approach to a voluntary NAIS “screwed up” and Peterson “strongly believes the government needs to set the rules and require standardization.”
Recent election results showed voter displeasure with the corrupting influence of large corporations on legislators, yet under Peterson’s NAIS, large corporations would benefit at the expense all livestock producers. Minnesota based Digital Angel, manufacturers of a radio frequency ID (RFID) animal tracking device approved by the USDA for NAIS, stands to reap a windfall.
Peterson’s NAIS will be an expensive, unnecessary program requiring all livestock owners to register their premises and tag every animal to ensure the government can trace an animal back to its premises of origin. The resulting huge database of personal information will be accessible to government agencies and foreign governments.
NAIS also amounts to a new tax on livestock producers, falling more heavily on smaller producers who must tag individual animals while large operations may use a cheaper group identification number.
Supporters of the program claim that it will open up foreign markets to U.S. livestock producers. VICFA President Richard Bean counters, “If the market wants such a program, then the market will create the program. We do not need the government forcing this discriminatory program on producers who will gain nothing from it, but will lose their ability to produce locally grown wholesome food for their customers. This program has the potential to destroy the sustainable agriculture and local food movement at the very moment that consumers are clamoring for our products. This will have a devastating impact on rural economies that are just starting to regain their health after years of governmental programs and regulations that have all but destroyed the traditional family farm.”
VICFA calls on Rep. Peterson and all of Congress to stop this threat to rural freedom and rural economies by ensuring that no federal funds be spent to implement this program.
Storm Alert
Representative Colin Peterson’s web site
Send an e-mail to Peterson (56258 is a valid zip code for his form)
Telephone Peterson and tell him what you think…
Washington, DC (202) 225-2165
Detroit Lakes (218) 847-5056
Marshall (507) 537-2299
Montevideo (320) 269-8888
Red Lake Falls (218) 253-4356
Redwood Falls (507) 637-2270
Fax Peterson at (202) 225-1593
This alert is not just for peopel from Minnesota. Colin Peterson is in a major position of power in the House Ag Committee affecting all of us. He represents You and I from ever single state. His bad ideas will hurt us all. Contact him…