Not surprisingly Big Ag is trying to dig deeper in to tax payer pockets to to restore funding of the USDA’s proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Not surprising because the porkers don’t want to have to fund it themselves and they want it to be shoved down the throats of small farmers in order to kill the competition. Nothing like a little greed for that last 15% of the market share. But then, we already know that pigs are competitive feeders.
Calling it vital to the ability of the United States to keep pace with its international competitors in pork markets around the world, the National Pork Producers Council is urging Congress to restore funding for a national animal identification system.
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NPPC supports a mandatory national ID system for all relevant species and is asking lawmakers to put back into the agriculture appropriations bill funding for the NAIS. President Obama had requested $14.2 million for the program.
-Pork Magazine
Almost needless to say, I am one pig farmer who does NOT favor funding NAIS. If they want it let them create and pay for their own voluntary system. Our customers have trace-back for all of our livestock. I know where my animals are - they’re in our fields. Customers can drive by and see them grazing our mountain pastures.
The solution isn’t a more complex computerized, mandatory, government imposed system but rather buying direct from more local small farmers. If you buy locally you also support your community by keeping the money in your area which causes a beneficial ripple effect to support your economy. Of course, that rather cuts the Big Pigs out of the loop… Something they’re scared of.