From Deborah Stockton at VICFA:
The MDA today informed Greg Niewendorp that his cattle that were blood tested for bovine TB last Thursday cleared—there is not a TB problem on his farm.
We are going to continue to keep this story in the light of public opinion.
We encourage people to go to NorthernExpress.com and read the article, “The Rebel Cow Farmer,” to be fully informed on the details behind the TB eradication program.
The next step in continuing to shine a public light on this situation is a bovine TB “update” meeting on Thursday October 25 in Michigan.
PLEASE BROADCAST TO FOLKS IN MICHIGAN
***BEEF PRODUCERS TO HOST TB PROGRAM “UPDATE” MEETING***
WHAT: TB Program “Update”
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 25th, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: 16860 M-32, Atlanta, Michigan 49709 (MDA Field Office, DNR state bldg., Atlanta, Michigan)
HOSTS: The Bovine TB Project “Partners”
DIRECTIONS: Go to Atlanta on M-32, about an hour’s drive east of Gaylord. Go a couple of miles east past Atlanta and it will be on the left (north) side of the road–the Mich. Dept of Natural Resources Field Station.
The North County Beef Producers Cooperative, apparently in partnership with the MDA, is hosting a “TB program update” meeting for their members, and other beef and dairy producers, as part of their October monthly meeting. Though this meeting was announced in an MDA publication that was mailed to some producers, it was NOT mailed to all beef and dairy producers in the high risk area. We do not know why it was mailed to some and not others, but many producers were not informed.
Who should go to this?
Everyone who is interested in the recent events surrounding the TB eradication program, the NAIS and the implementation of the premises ID.
Why should you go?
To witness, watch, and, if allowed, ask questions regarding the Michigan TB testing and eradication program. A rather large number of high ranking MDA officials will be there to explain the program to their partner organization, North County Beef Producers Cooperative. We encourage anybody interested to go.
PLEASE CALL THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE at 517.373.1077 or 1-800-292-3939 AND EXPRESS YOURSELF TO:
Bridget Patrick,
Bovine TB Project Coordinator,
(517) 241-2669,
patrickb@michigan.gov
Don Koivisto, Director of Agriculture
Steve Halstead, State Vet
Pat Lockwood, Liaison to the Governor’s Office
Niewendorp’s state legislators:
Sen. Jason Allen
517.373.2413
senjallen@senate.michigan.gov
Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Dist.105)
517.373.0829
kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov
Non-Compliance Relief Fund:
Taking a stand of non-compliance puts a tremendous toll on one’s resources. The National Organization for Raw Materials (NORM) established the Non-Compliance Relief Fund to provide specific support for those like Greg NIewendorp who take such a courageous position. To support Greg and others like him, please donate here (single donation or monthly pledge) or send a check made out to NORM to:
Non-Compliance Relief Fund
c/o NORM
680 E 5 Point Highway
Charlotte, MI 48813
http://www.normeconomics.com/
Many thanks,
Deborah Stockton, Editor
VICFA Voice
http://www.vicfa.net
editor@vicfa.net
The Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (VICFA)
Our purpose is to promote and preserve unregulated direct farmer-to-consumer trade
that fosters availability of locally grown or home-produced food products.
VICFA opposes any government funded or managed National Animal Identification System.