NoNAIS.org is nothing fancy or complex. It is myself, a homesteader, father and small time farmer in Vermont plus a few other volunteers like Celeste who has been compiling alerts about NAIS.
Since 2004 I have been trying to get the attention of our elected leaders, government officials and bureaucrats about just how bad the National Animal Identification System will be for small farmers and homesteaders. I feel resoundingly ignored by them. Most of them don’t bother to reply to my letters on this topic. The couple that have are strong supporters of NAIS, “all the way to the backyard” as they put it.
On the other hand I have written letters to the editors of our local daily newspapers and gotten a tremendous positive response. Friends, acquaintances and people I don’t even know stop me on the street, call me on the phone and email me telling me how much they liked the letters and how strongly they agree with me.
The common people are virtually universally against NAIS once they know about it. The problem is most people don’t know about NAIS because the USDA has been slipping it under the door without legislative review. Our government officials support NAIS. NAIS will hurt small farmers, homesteaders and pet owners as well as consumers. NAIS is great for big agri-businesses and the tag identification companies. Something’s fishy…
So, I have started this blog to help spread the word about the various groups fighting NAIS. I want to get the information out to the public so they can fight for their rights to raise their own food without government interference.
Some people would argue that the government helping big business win against the public good is par for the course. I say we need to fight it. Otherwise we’re just lambs being led to the slaughter.
Ask yourself what can you do to stop the government from taking away our rights? Can you send a letter to the editor? Can you write your Congressional representatives? Sign a petition? Tell people you know about this? Every little bit counts. Together we can stand up and stop this ridiculous abridgment of our rights. Act now.
Want to do more? Write an article for your local newspaper or a magazine. Have a blog or web site? Write about NAIS to get people informed about how bad it is. Contact influential people you know who can make a difference. Leverage the power of the people and technology. Help with alert items here at NoNAIS. Participate in the discussions about NAIS. Do what you can while you still have the right to speak up and fight back.
Sincerely,
Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm
In Vermont
Walter, I just started a Vermont Against NAIS group on Yahoo. What made me do it? I got an email from Rich Tarrant’s people talking about VPR’s show, Switchboard, tomorrow with Bernie Sanders. The email listed a bunch of questions to call and ask Mr. Sanders. This was my reply: “How about Mr. Sanders, how can you let the National Animal Identification System come to pass in Vermont where there are so many hobbyists, homesteaders and family farmers. If I want to raise chickens or pigs or any other animal for my own use why do I have to register my premise with the government.
I might ask Rich Tarrant the same question.
If Rich doesn’t take up the NAIS pretty soon, I will not vote for him.”
Time for Vermonters to roar, Walter.
Hen
Comment Henwhisperer — January 30, 2006 @ 9:13 pm
Vermont_Against_NAIS in Yahoo Groups.
Comment Henwhisperer — January 30, 2006 @ 9:15 pm
The 358th Texas Animal Health Commission meeting Thursday Feb. 16, 2006
First I would like to say that HB1361 went under our radar and was passed already. What does this mean to you and I if you live in Texas?
1. You and anyone that owns a horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, chicken, llama, captive game bird, exotic livestock, captive cervidae, ratite or “other” is required to register your premises. It’s free until July 1, 2006 (Isn’t that comforting.) The government wants to know who you are and what you own! That’s just the first step into the invasion of your privacy…..it gets worse.
2. If you do not comply by Jan. 1, 2007 you become a criminal!! And here’s the penalty:
A) Under section 161.148 and entitled “Administrative Penalty” the Commission may impose an administrative penalty against a person who violates a rule or order adopted by the Commission. The penalty for violation may be in an amount not to exceed $1000. “Each day” a violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for purposes of imposing a penalty. The amount of penalty shall not be based on a per head basis and the Commission must base the amount of the penalty by evaluating six factors as provided by Section 161.148. After which the executive director would issue to the commission a report that states the facts on which the determination is based and the director’s recommendation on the imposition of a penalty, including a recommendation on the amount of the penalty.
I want to let that part sink in for everyone reading this before I go on with the rest of the meeting content. I hope everyone noticed that you will never be able to own a small farm or even one chicken or horse in the state of Texas without having to pay and let the government know about it. You no longer have that right or freedom! Notice that the fine can multiply “each day” that you don’t comply and the amount of your penalty will be recommended by the Executive director of the TAHC who is none other than Bob Hillman, DVM…….that’s right……. a veterinarian! How do you like America now?!!
What can we do now? HB1361 needs to be REPEALED!! We can do this, I know we can!! Texas State Rep. Bryan Hughes of District 5 which includes Camp, Harrison, Upshur and Wood Counties sent word to the meeting that he would have voted “NO” to HB1361 if he had known the full content and conseqences to the small farmer/livestock owner. He needs to be commended for having the guts to admit that and now we know at least one state rep. in our corner! Write to him! Write to all of your reps. and congress people!! Don’t let up! We as American’s don’t deserve our freedoms being ripped away from us!! It’s happening right now!! PLEASE fight back!!
Here is the website to find out who represents YOU!!! Pass it on to your friends and family! Sign every petition you can! Copy and paste the petition in this thread and e-mail it to your friends and family. Post it on other horse and cattle talk forums! E-mail, write and call too!! It’s going to take ALL of us to get involved to get this changed!
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
Petition
Comment TexasMad!! — February 19, 2006 @ 10:56 pm
Like one gentleman said at the Texas Animal Comm. meeting In Austin: “This will be the first time in U.S. history it will be illegal to be a farmer unless you have government permission”.
Comment TexasMad!! — February 19, 2006 @ 10:59 pm
And as another concerned animal owner stated, “This amounts to “Warrantless Surveillance”!!
Comment TexasMad!! — February 19, 2006 @ 11:02 pm
News8Austin
Comment TexasMad!! — February 19, 2006 @ 11:10 pm
Talk wont do it.Time to stock up on 7.62X39.
Comment dan hill — February 20, 2006 @ 12:29 pm
Mr. Jeffries,
I represent a livestock breed association in the United States. I heard a radio show where your web was mentioned today. It is very scary. I was not aware of this. We are trying to put together a position paper for our 19,000 members. The rest of the board of directors of the association have asked me to find out more about you. We have several questions.
1-What organization or group do you represent and who is backing you? Who is funding your work?
2-Who decides what articles to publish here on your web site?
3-What will you do with the petitions when you are done and do you sell the names and addresses you collect?
4-Are you or your organization aligned with a particular political party?
5-Is your organization a non-profit, a political action committee or something else?
You answers will help us. We would like to send out a mailing to our membership. We found the information on your site very helpful and would like to recommend members visit your site to learn more but we must understand the above issues before we can proceed.
Sincerely,
Emily S.
Comment Emily S. — February 23, 2006 @ 7:39 pm
Emily,
NoNAIS.org is just my personal way of trying to get the word about about how damaging the National Animal identification System would be to small farmers, homesteaders and pet owners as well as ultimately for consumers. I am just an individual, frustrated and angry with a political, legislative and regulatory system that has been ignoring me but wants at the same time to take away my rights to farm without government interference.
To answer your specific questions:
1) Nobody is backing me. Nobody is funding me. There isn’t much to fund. This is just a blog which costs almost nothing. In the sponsors section I list my farm because that is where I originally posted about this topic. My wife did some illustrations for this blog so I list her online gallery HollyGraphicArt where you can see her drawings. My home business BlackLightning has the web space and enough extra that the blog fits in without being noticed.
2) I decide what goes up. Sometimes I run across stuff on the web or in the newspapers. Other times people send me emails with links to check out about NAIS related topics. I write most of the articles here on the NoNAIS.org blog. Occasionally a fellow farmer or homesteader writes something. People such as yourself leave comments. Mostly it is just me ranting against the system that would steal our lives and turn us all into serfs for the Govi-Corp. As you can tell I think highly of the government. Best damn one on the planet and a real stinker at that.
3) I have nothing to do with the petitions other than having signed most of them and making a list in the right hand sidebar. I did not start the petitions nor do I control them. Other people do. Frankly, I am dubious about the power of petitions since I think politicians ignore them. Writing letters and making phone calls to your elected officials and regulators is far more effective. I don’t collect addresses or names although I suppose when you leave a comment you are leaving that as part of it if you want. Some people use anonymous or pseudonums as you’ll notice reading through the comments. Do what ever pleases you.
4) I’m not aligned with any political party - I’m too cussed independent. I vote for candidates based on their stances on issues. Sometimes I vote for one party, sometimes another. If anything I like to keep things mixed up - a confused government fights within itself and does less damage to the rest of us. Frankly I think our whole government would be better without any political parties for politicians to hide behind.
5) There is no organization so it certainly is not a non-profit, a political action committee or anything else. NoNAIS.org is just me shouting from the roof top so to speak.
Interestingly, you are the third person this week who has asked questions like these. If you want to know more about me, just google my name or visit my farm blog.
Cheers,
-Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm
NoNAIS.org
Comment walterj — February 23, 2006 @ 9:55 pm
I am still amazed at the number of folks who thinks this will “just go away”. They don’t lose one minute of sleep over it. Thanks for this blog Walter, it is great to have a central location to go to stay informed and fight this thing.
Comment Sharon — February 24, 2006 @ 6:15 am
Thank you for your great efforts and hard work.I have begun contacting newspapers,elected officials,and printed flyers for hand outs.I am in southwest VA. any way to link up with others and form a united front or local chapter,need help as I am not real computer savy. Thanks Greg
Comment greg christman — February 27, 2006 @ 7:31 pm
I have to agree with the rest of the comments here, you’ve done some damn fine work. I greatly appreciate all that you have been doing.
Haven’t done much about the NAIS issue, really busy with school at the moment. Read an editorial today about the penalties that are planned for “noncompliance” in Texas and have since been “mining” this subject to help a neighbor who has successfully met with a state representative from Arkansas who says he will help to fight this from happening in Arkansas.
Keep up the work.
Perservere.
Comment Jolly Sapper — March 3, 2006 @ 11:31 pm
Hi, First impression of NAIS? Put a “Z” in the middle & whatcha got?
I didn’t know about this latest attack — fedgov is certainly having their way with us, aren’t they…..
I’ll share your info on a # of blogs………
MAY AMERICA BLESS GOD
Comment lu — March 9, 2006 @ 1:37 pm
What is HB 1361?
It isn’t a Texas Law.
I can’t find it with the US HOR Locator either.
This business about needing gov’t permission to farm has upset a good friend of mine.
If you want credibility, you have to give out tracking information.
Preferrably a link to the offending documents: HB1361 and a report of the 358th meeting of the Tx commission.
I can read.
Comment Curt Gibby — March 20, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
Go read this article. Google is your friend.
Comment walterj — March 20, 2006 @ 4:40 pm
Do you have a contact within Texas who knows the ins and outs of NAIS? On May 6-7 there will be an Equine Expo of Texas in Fort Worth at the Will Rogers Memorial Center and I would like to try and get a booth in there for NAIS information.
Comment Marilyn Short — March 20, 2006 @ 11:10 pm
I am so upset over this. I have 3 horses and a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats in Texas. I don’t show any of my animals and so they don’t leave my property. To have to pay the government to have them is plain stupid. Watch out, we will be next.
Comment Suzy Minck — March 22, 2006 @ 11:25 am
Heard about NAIS and your website on the Coast to Coast radio program. What peaked my interest was that Wisconsin has implemented this insanity.
AGRICULTURE, TRADE & CONSUMER PROTECTION
Ref:ATCP 17.02 Livestock premises; registration required.
(1) GENERAL. A person may not keep livestock at a location in this state unless that location is registered under this section. There is no fee to register. A registration expires on December 31 of each year, except as otherwise provided in sub. (2) (c).
I will be contacting my state and federal politicans for their response. Also composing a letter to the editor in our newspaper, the Janesville Gazette.
I live in the city and am not directly affected by this law but it has implications for all U.S. citizens.
I was raised on a farm and have empthy for those who are directly affected by the NAIS regulations.
You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy.
Bill Mitchell
Janesville, Wisconsin
Comment Bill Mitchell — March 30, 2006 @ 7:44 am
WOW,,,,at this point having read so much about this, I’m still ‘hair lipped shy of livid’. We live in Minnesota and have a small ranch with horses and one dog. I have spent the past few days printing copies and passing them out to people around our area. Will start letter writing on Monday, hopefully with some favorable feedback. Keep up the great work and will do my best to inform the farmers/ranchers in Minnesota.
Comment Goose — April 2, 2006 @ 7:46 pm
Walter
Keep up the fight..
I raise alpacas and have put all I have in this farm. If NAIS causes its lost, then its time for another TEA PARTY.
I just hope we can stop this insanity. You are right, Big Business is behind it.
I will inform others in my alpaca business and get them to fight NAIS.
Thanks
Don Wise
Comment Don Wise — April 7, 2006 @ 2:05 pm
I AM A FALCONER WHOM NOW IS DISABLED–AND SWITCHED TO BREEDING FALCONS. UNDER NAIS WOULD I HAVE TO TAG MY BIRDS THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED WILD.-YOURS GARY SMITH
Comment gary smith — April 7, 2006 @ 4:41 pm
Good for you Walter! Keep up the fight! It is wrong. Its just another thing that is setting up the stage for the anti christ. The bible is filled with truth about the world we live in and the fate that is coming upon us. The USDA makes it all sound so simple. That it should be ok to implant micro chips into our animals. WHATS NEXT?
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to *receive a *mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is *Six hundred threescore and six.
“May God be with us all”
Comment Sandy Brewster — April 24, 2006 @ 8:31 am
Check this article out from the associated press posted in the Bryan College Station eagle under the Livestock section. Proof that Usda is not trying to stop disease. just gather information.
Comment Mike Morris — April 24, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
I hate to hear the goverment getting into our animals , they now lazer your farm land in Ohio and that cuts your acres we had 58 tilliable ground and now we have only 51 where did the 7 go thanks to uncle Sam Oh by the way they did not take the 7 out of our taxes.. The government should get us out of Iraq and be watching Koerea more than my pet dog or my chickens. Goverment needs to watch who we sell our ground to more than any thing else soon America farm land will be own by more nonAmerica. Keep up the good work.
Comment Pat Jordan — July 11, 2006 @ 11:32 am
Hi Walter,
You might want to list ALL of our publications as “No NAIS”, along with Countryside & Dairy Goat Journal (which you already have listed).
These are sheep! Magazine (www.sheepmagazine.com)
and
Backyard Poultry (www.backyardpoultrymag.com)
We’re in the process of putting “NAIS update” buttons on all four sites–I haven’t heard from one person who agrees with this program!
Thanks,
Anne-marie Ida
Countryside Publications, Ltd.
Comment Anne-marie — July 24, 2006 @ 11:12 am
Walter:
Nice blog and I personally and politically agree with almost all I have read.
Nowhere do you spell out what NAIS stands for. I’m not really stupid or unducated, it just appears that way because I can’t keep on top of everything all the time. As a farmer, my primary focus is water, manure and sewage.
Will you please let me know what NAIS is????
Comment Lew Matt — August 20, 2006 @ 10:56 am
Hi Lew,
In the left sidebar of http://NoNAIS.org at the top check out “Just the Facts” and in particular read:
But What is NAIS?”
Also see the handout:
http://NoNAIS.org/handout
which will give you an excellent overview of the issues. This article is also a good overview:
Senator Leahy Doesn’t Get It
In the left sidebar you will find the most frequently comment articles. The numbers in parenthesis mean how many comments each article has gotten. That is generally an indication of how important readers feel the articles are to the topic.
Also in the left sidebar is a list of recent comments which can be interesting to read through.
If you want read the USDA technical documents about NAIS which can be found in the right hand sidebar down towards the bottom in “Technical Documents”:
USDA Draft Program Standards
USDA NAIS Implementation Plan April 2006
Do note that the USDA is now using the word “Voluntary” but if you read carefully they mean mandatory unless you comply as per page 3 paragraph 1 of the above April 2006 document. See this article:
Mafia Style Voluntary
Cheers,
Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm
Orange, Vermont
Pastured Pigs & Sheep
Comment walterj — August 20, 2006 @ 2:57 pm
I notice that the national cattlemen’s beef association is listed in the naughty and the nice list. Shouldn’t the organization be moved to the “on the fence” category or does this make sense to everybody but me?
[The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is very confusing. See these links [1, 2, 3, 4] I’ve moved them to the Nice List although I would love another term, perhaps wishy-washy? Maybe blows with the wind? Hmm… I just wish they would make up their mind, perferably taking a strong stance for our rights and freedoms by opposing any form of mandatory NAIS. -WJ]
Comment ncba member — August 21, 2006 @ 10:33 am
Wow I just read a Colorado State ID flyer. I quote:
“Why wait for something you will have to do eventually?
Why not be on the cutting edge?”
I knew it was going on in other states. Especially in the east and south. But not once had I heard that it was already being implemeted here. Well, I am going to fight this. And get everyone I can in Colorado to fight it. This state is horse and cattle country. If people know the truth there will be alot of people for the state of Colorado to fight against. If there is anyone out there In Colorado and want to do something about this - email me at hrobinson416@yahoo.com so we can combine forces.
Comment Hiedi — September 7, 2006 @ 3:28 pm
Don’t let them do it to you. Here in Europe we have been facing this sort of overgovernment destruction of our small time farms for years now and they have just about destroyed any homesteading we had. The ’small farms’ that remain are actually pretty big and they are totally beholden to the goverment. Fight your NAIS as hard as you can!
Comment Jan — September 18, 2006 @ 11:35 pm
Hey Walter,
I love the site. Thanks so much.
After reading all of this information, and of course, printing out fliers and bumper stickers, I am left with the “what if” question.
So, what if we cannot stop this? Should we be forming a network of people willing to buy/sell without a tag? Should we find vets that are willing to serve us, without reporting us? An underground network…like in the Left Behind series. Or is this a defeatist’s attitude?
Just wondering if this has been spoken about yet?
I’ll tell you what….I’ve said it about homeschooling, I’ve said it about my raw milk and I’ll say it about this: for these things, I would be willing to break the law and do what I have to do to support what I believe in. I will stand up for my basic freedoms!
Jen V. in Michigan
[Jen, my first thought for you is to remembrer that the internet is a postcard. -WalterJ]
Comment Jen V. — October 21, 2006 @ 10:28 pm
While we as a group represent different Political Affiliations and Religious views we are united in our universal dislike of NAIS, thank God, thank Allah, thank Odin, thank the Great Spirit, heck thank Santa Claus if that works for you! But mostly thank everybody who supports NONAIS. Walter mentioned in response to a previous comment “we need to keep our eye on the target” and not get too involved in our differences, he’s
right. I’ll further add the “silver bullet” we need to use to reach the target should be the Constitution and Bill of Rights and any past legal rulings that help our cause.
In other words if it’s ruled “unconstitutional” isn’t it invalid and therefore unenforceable?
From a legal point of view, is any one familiar with the procedures an individual or a group of individuals (class action suit?) may begin a law suit against an “Unconstitutional law” or policy? Do we have to wait for someone to be arrested or affronted and have the trial work it’s way up to the Supreme Court before NAIS is declared invalid? Or can a “preemptive strike” in the form of a lawsuit be brought challenging the Constitutionality of a law or Government program? While it’s very important that we all continue to notify as many people as we can about NAIS and why it’s bad, ultimately if it passes, the only available remedy would be through the court system, no? That is if we’re not declared “enemy combatants” in the meantime and we aren’t given a trial! That would have been a joke a short time ago, now unfortunately it’s a very real concern. Aren’t we as citizens afforded some legal mechanism for challenging this policy? As boring as it is to read…I’d be interested in some info. about how to mount a legal challenge and how that whole scenario plays out…any body out there a legal scholar or attorney with an opinion how to process this? When, where and how to start a suit? In the meantime, I’ll keep informing everybody and anybody about stopping NAIS. I just thought it would be good to add a legal argument to our arsenal.
Comment Bob Constantine — October 22, 2006 @ 8:58 am
Bob,
I agree! We need some legal advice.
I don’t think this thing is ‘law’ yet. It’s a plan. Each state decides to implement it.
I wrote a response earlier today but it was whacked by the spambot swatter. It might show up later.
Comment donna — October 23, 2006 @ 2:00 pm
Hi,
I am Executive Committee member of a very large Maryland horse club (approx. 1200 members and in existence for 56 years). I have been trying to get interest going in opposing this, but most of the people I talk to are buying into what the Maryland Horse Concil is telling them; “This is a good thing”. I would be interested to know of a contact in Maryland that could poosibly come to a Board of Directors meeting and a General membership meeting and talk rationaly (not theatrically)about this issue. Please let me know if you have a recomendation. Also quite a few of our members live in Pa; so the word word be going out to 2 states.
Thank you,
Steve
Comment Steve Orr — October 30, 2006 @ 12:07 pm
Steve,
I live on the other side of the US but one thing of interest you can take to the horse club is that each state and horses as well as other animals have quite the *profile* already accumulated without NAIS being fully implemented. I am hip-wading through offical gov. horse documents right now…
BTW-Did you see the Gaited Horse article?
Comment Celeste — October 30, 2006 @ 2:29 pm
Steve, here is my two cents worth. I would tell them that this scheme really isn’t about animal identification. It is about Big Government gaining control over their land through the premise identification number (PIN), and once that federal jurisdiction is established, it will not only be about their animals, but their water, what they grow, build, tear down, etc. I believe a permit will be needed to touch anything on their land. As far as the animals are concerned, how many government-required vaccinations and drugs will have to be administered, in order to fill the coffers of Big Business, and what if Big Government decides they don’t want you to have horses, but cattle, instead. If they own you, they can dictate to you.
I have been collecting a stack of articles where the USDA and state ag commissioners have been quoted as saying that we don’t need animal identification, but MUST HAVE premise identification (red flag). I will post links to those articles by tomorrow, when I uncover that stack.
If people don’t have a healthy skepticism of Big Government, then I guess there isn’t much that can be done to open their eyes. I know horse folks love their animals as much as I do my goats and donkeys, so they need to get concerned about this private property grab.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — October 30, 2006 @ 2:59 pm
Steve,
I was a member of a Yahoo horse group where several very vocal members were in favor of NAIS and anyone that disagreed with them was ridiculed. From what I saw of their reasons for being pro-NAIS, they were trusting the gov’t and believing all the propaganda, and felt it was inevitable. They actually believe it will help find a stolen horse. People with closed minds will not listen to reason. However, if you have people who are undecided, I suggest you present them with a copy of Judy McGreary’s response to the USDA Guide for Small Producers. Here’s the link:
http://www.farmandranchfreedom.org/docs/Response_USDAGuideSmallProducers.pdf
I think it will also be helpful if you contact Cheryl Allerton who is the PA State Coordinator for Liberty Ark. She helped the Berks County (PA) Equine Council organize a NAIS meeting near Reading, PA in July.
Here’s Liberty Ark’s link:
http://libertyark.net/activists/pa.shtml
Comment Barbara — October 30, 2006 @ 8:03 pm
Steve, have people read “License to Keep Animals”, under Featured Websites, on the right sidebar.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — October 31, 2006 @ 7:11 am
Thanks Everyone,
I am reading these articles as fast as I can.
I really appreciate the help.
We have another Board of Directors meeting coming up next week and any ammo is appreciated. From some of the articles I have read, I am not the only person having a difficult time getting Horse People to take notice of this issue. I stumbled across it by accident about 8 months ago and have been reading and requesting info ever since. I have also written a couple of letters to local/state officials. The National and Maryland Horse Councils are absolutely NO help at all.
I was hoping to find someone here (besides me) to try and get their attention at a meeting as a guest speaker, so if any one near here wants to help, let me know.
Tanks again,
Steve
Comment Steve Orr — October 31, 2006 @ 12:40 pm
Steve,
Here is a link to the article by Karen Bergener in the Gaited Horse that is so complete on the subject of the horse and NAIS.
link
In my opinion it is a “must read” for any horse owner.
Comment Mary Beth — October 31, 2006 @ 10:16 pm
Steve, here are those articles on premise ID. I think I have more, but they have gotten lost among the 400-500 articles I have on NAIS.
Three articles under Newspaper Articles on the right sidebar:
Premises ID Dead: Country Courier, “Out With a Bang”, Steve Kerr, Vt. Ag Secretary is quoted as saying, “Premises registration is what you need for response”.
Farmers Oppose ID: Boston Globe, “Small Farmers Oppose Farm Identification”, Steve Kerr is quoted as saying, “For animal disease…all you need is premise identification. We don’t need individual ID.”
Dim View of Avian Flu Plan: Times Argus, “Small Farmers Take Dim View of Avian Flu Plan”, “The state considered and rejected an ‘animal identification’ provision, Kerr said. The Agriculture Agency decided that most health concerns could be answered with the less intrusive program of ‘premise registration’ now being proposed, he said. The best way to keep the federal requirement from going into effect is to defend the state’s right to control animals within its borders and put the ‘premises registration’ system in place, Kerr said.”
No longer available on the net, Reading Eagle, 7-17-06, “PA Animal Owners Get Facts”, “Most of these people will only be involved in premise (farm) registration since most of their animals will never enter commerce or trade.” (Dore Mobley, USDA)
link
“Farmers Vow Defiance of State’s Registration Rule”, “Rood said Kerr has publicly said in recent days that Vermont does not need animal ID”. (Connect this with Kerr’s statement in the above article, “Out With a Bang”)
“ID Plan Provokes Concerns”, “State Department of Agriculture officials say only the places where livestock are raised would be registered - not the animals themselves”.
I don’t understand why horse owners don’t see that they can chip their horses anytime they want. They don’t/shouldn’t want NAIS to “require” them to.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 1, 2006 @ 6:04 am
#28,if you really want to know where the cattle group NCBA might stand,4 you should call their toll free # 1-866-233-3872 and ask them for a list of the ALLIED INDUSTRY DIRECTORY. those that are on this list have teamed up with NCBA,the list should tell all that want to know a lot.
Comment NICK LeCOMPTE — November 2, 2006 @ 9:58 pm
Hi Everyone,
Sorry, I was away for the last 5 days at our last big ride for the year. I printed out 300 flyers and facts sheets ffrom here and almost all of them disappeared over the weekend. There were a lot of questions and oppositions to this. Now maybe a few of them will wake up about their horse farms and horses. I talked this site up and people finally started to listen. Thanks for all of your help and suggestions.
Steve
Comment Steve Orr — November 7, 2006 @ 11:23 am
just wanted to say thank you for trying to get the word out on this. i read it in my local paper about a year ago. it was a tiny article way in the back. i was almost in disbelief that something having such impact is not making big news. keep up the good hard work. thanks.
Comment christina — November 14, 2006 @ 12:17 pm
Hi Everyone,
I am still not sure if this is the right place on the site to post new items so that Walter and others see them. Any help would be appreciated.
I just got off the phone with Joanne of the PDA (Pa Dept. of Ag).
I asked her repeatedly if Premise ID was mandatory or voluntary. I finally got the answer that it was voluntary, EXCEPT if you utilized any of their services, such as blood work (i.e. coggins for horses) and then the PDA automatically assigned you a number whether you wanted it or not. They are currently using the USDA ID numbering system and not the Pa State numbering system.
I joined and posted this on the PA NONAIS group site also for their info.
Thanks,
Steve
[My understanding is SB865 makes Premises Registration mandatory but it has no teeth. See this article. -WJ]
Comment Steve Orr — November 29, 2006 @ 4:00 pm
1993 Hardscrabble hunt lodge feral pig case
Check out the information on Feral Pseudorabies vs regular Pseudorabies. Pg 73 to 85, it is sexually transmitted!
Also compare the USDA handling of a Burcellosis positive jersey cow next to the Hardscrabble Hunt Lodge pg 87. This is a near identical case to the Henshaw & Davies pig cases but what a difference 15 years make!
The feral pigs were caught and tested, the positives were slated for hunter kill and the owners taught how to handle the infected carcasses. Uninfected animals were quarantined and tested for several years until a disease fee herd was rebuilt. The case was very well handled. These Government officials need to give classes to the rest.
http://texnat.tamu.edu/symposia/feral/FeralConf99.pdf
Comment narapoid — December 9, 2006 @ 2:08 pm
It is scary to think of all of the laws which must be passed every year at all levels of the government which most people know nothing about. I am concerned that it has taken me this long to learn about this NAIS law. I am a pet owner and a dreamer. Some day I wish that I could be a homesteader. I don’t know how I will be able to do it, but I am scared that this NAIS law could make it impossible for me before I even get started!
Comment Kristi — January 1, 2007 @ 12:01 am
… By the way, one of the great side effects of fighting NAIS is that it has caused a big change in the way that I view, purchase, and consume food in general. I have become a more deliberate participant in my own food intake and am well on my way to knowing where all my food comes from because I do the research and make choices accordingly. The learning curve was steep at first but its leveled off nicely! I thought it was just about preventing the intrusion of having my horses tagged but it has become so much more than that. I can’t thank you enough, Walter. Thanks for the wake up call. The quality of my life has genuinly improved!
Read You Soon,
Richard O.
Snohomish County, Wa.,
Comment Richard O. — April 14, 2007 @ 12:28 am
Hello. I am a student, and I am doing a speech on the NAIS. I need some excellent information about the downsides to this system. My speech will be researching both sides, from different points of view. This speech is for my CDE for FFA. If anyone could help me out, please send me an e-mail at kelsey_f12@hotmail.com
Thanks!
[Start with this and then this. In the right sidebar is the “Just the Facts” section which will get you started. Then look through the archives from NoNAIS.org in the left sidebar. The most popular articles are also a good place to look, again in the left sidebar. On the right sidebar are links to newspaper, magazine, TV, Radio and other articles as well as a variety of handouts and fliers. -WJ]
Comment studentagainstNAIS — January 15, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Post #43
Steve,
What state are you in?
Comment Valerie — January 16, 2008 @ 12:25 am
Hello again. I just wanted to say that I love this website. I feel that you present a very good point of view about the downsides of the NAIS and how this can potentialy affect people. My main concern with NAIS is the cost that it will present to farmers. The government has not placed enough money aside and farmers and animal owners will be left with the brunt of the costs. Thank you for the excellent sources you are providing for my speech. Again, anyone with excellent information please contact me at kelsey_f12@hotmail.com
Thank you very much!
Comment studentagainstNAIS — January 16, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
The problem with NAIS is more than the financial cost. By refusing to cooperate with USDA, they will put many of us out of business without spending a cent on it. This is a case of pay or don’t play.
Comment Barbara — January 17, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Student against nais-
Costs are significant when measured in dollars…but what price tag do we put on personal freedom? Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness cannot be measured in dollars.
Give a person liberty and an opportunity to live their life without a master and they are rich….Give a person financial wealth and put them in a cage, literally or figuratively and they will not be happy. Well fed slaves are still slaves, nonetheless.
Frankly I don’t care if the USDA GAVE me money to participate…NAIS is still wrong. Somewhere in posts a while back here we discussed how “they” actually tried to bribe people to register their premises with little gifts, hand tools and stuff like that. That’s insulting and very telling of the mindset of those who “know what’s good for us”.
Many people dismiss NAIS as a “farmer issue”. They miss the point. When you don’t defend all rights, all rights are subject to revocation.
Look around. Do we really even own our lives anymore?
Comment Bob Constantine — January 18, 2008 @ 4:09 am