Recently Jolley over at the CattleNetwork has had several on target posts about NAIS. I see this as a shift in the views, or at least the acknowledgment of real farmer’s and homesteader’s views, by the industry. It is good to see. But don’t trust the USDA to give up just yet.
In this week’s installment Jolley says:
Let’s get something straight about NAIS from the beginning. I don’t own any cattle. No chickens, hogs, alpacas, purebred dogs, turkeys or guinea fowl. So, as they say, I don’t have a dog in this fight. Whether it becomes the law (or federal regulation) of the land, or not, won’t have an immediate impact on my wallet.
-Jolley at the Cattle Network
He’s wrong, of course. NAIS does have an impact on his wallet, and the wallet of all consumers. NAIS will put small farmers and rancher’s out of business as well as driving up their costs. That will directly increase the price of food in addition to limiting choice. As the number of producers drops the market consolidation will provide the mega-producers, Big Ag, to raise consumer prices. That’s how monopolies work.
Consumers need to realize that they too are being sold down the river. NAIS will hurt consumers by sucking dollars out of their wallets and limiting their choices. Make no mistake about that.
When ever I bring up NAIS people give me strange looks and can’t believe the government would go that far. They are oblivious to the eroding of our rights and freedoms. I wish I knew how to get across to the average Jane that NAIS and all this other government interference in our lives is a big threat a huge threat.
Comment Janet — July 15, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
For any consumer who thinks NAIS will be beneficial to them, all the consumer needs to do is check out how the USDA allowed COOL to be implemented. Go to the supermarket, pick up a steak or roast, and examine the packaging. Is it clearly labeled as to Country of Origin or is the label in the tiniest of print on the bottom of the package? Assuming the label is found, does it say which country or does it say product of U.S, Mexico, or Canada? And is this information worth the tax dollars that COOL is costing us all?
If the USDA cannot implement something relatively easy as COOL, why would anyone believe that the USDA could provide location specific information?
Comment Ann — July 19, 2009 @ 8:18 am