Wisconsion is the first and only state to implement mandatory Premise ID, the first step of the USDA’s proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS). From what I hear it is a mixed bag. On the one hand Dr. Wiemers of the USDA commended Wisconsin for having registered 400% of their horses already. On the other hand I have received personal communications from a number of Wisconsonites who say they have not registered and don’t plan on doing so. Below is a letter from one such Wisconsin livestock owner:
Walter,
Premise ID and NAIS have already been passed in Wisconsin, as you probably know.
I have seen a lot of farm programs in my 66 years, but this is the most ridiculous one ever presented. I don’t see more ag. disease now than there was 50 years ago. I am not certain it is designed to hurt the small farmers, though it will; I see it more as a result of globalization. For [Michael] Johanns, [USDA Secretary of Agriculture] to cease testing cattle for BSE, and commensurately implement a device for tracking this disease, is incongruous. In addition, cattle are still ingesting blood and slaughterhouse waste, in their feed… how stupid is this?
I will not comply as long as I do not receive WRITTEN notice from Madison. And even then I will go down kicking, claiming this is NOT constitutional. The farmer who rents my land has not registered his premises either, and he raises beef. I do not know anyone who has registered, but then I only know 3 farmers, because the encroaching development has taken over all the farmland in my area. The farmer closest to me raises both organically fed beef and bison…he does not object to NAIS. I suspect he is registered due to selling bison meat to restaurants. I don’t know how the third one feels…. I have not seen him for so long.
The members of Wisconsin Against NAIS are still fighting this legislation, with a vengeance. Some talk about Big Brother, some feel the next step is tracking US citizens, some believe the factory farmers want the “little guy” out of business, some have major concerns NAIS is an invasion of privacy, others find it frightening, others worry about the cost. They have discussed organizing a protest at Madison, our capitol. I have written to my congressman and both US senators. All three are pro-NAIS. (sigh) I don’t think our state senators will revoke their decision to pass NAIS. They seem to feel WI is a leading example….. Hah! This state is usually the last on the list for accepting any new innovation.
What really bothers me most about NAIS is the confiscation of our animals either because we do not comply or to depopulate. The first is akin to the German SS and the latter is unnecessary slaughter. Sound like scare tactics to me….. I give our veterinarians’ ability to control disease more credit than that.
Microchips are re-programable and are subject to viruses (as in a computer), rendering them worthless for tracking. Also, they have been known to migrate.
I have no trust in the USDA or the BLM. Both have been known to lie and manipulate. I have been working to stop horse slaughter in the US. Through this effort, I have learned how devious both organizations are. (that’s another chapter)
I really appreciate reading your updates on NAIS. You have produced a fantastic web page…. even the people working to stop horse slaughter, plus other animal interest groups, are familiar with NoNAIS.org. Everyone either recommends or quotes your web site.
Kudos for the good fight, Walter…. :-)
M. Dickson
in Wisconsin
Hey Wisconsin don’t give up. In 2009 when the program becomes mandatory via the government we will have a diffrent President and a whole new set of egos that will want to redo everything.
Comment sharon mehler — May 9, 2006 @ 6:24 pm
I have written and written again to my senators and state reps even wrote newspapers, write your newspapers, remind them you are tax payers and won’t vote for those that support NAIS … I’m a pleasure horse farmer , I don’t want to report when I take my horse to a show ,down the road or to the vet… Its intrusive , Next they will want us to report how many time we flush our toilets…. Betty Rodgers
Comment Betty Rodgers — May 9, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
TO: Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, Where is the GAO report you allegedly asked for on NAIS? (ref: below link)
http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=248800
I , Dean Ayers, Glenwood, Iowa, want an answer, and it better be a personal one, not your useless faxed copies, Sir!
To the Iowa Congressional Body: I want this answered ASAP.
Are you on vacation from “Life” or what?
All official email responses say you are out of session for the rest of the YEAR!
It’s only May!
I need “your” job!
Stop NAIS!
Protect Liberty of the People, not Agri-Biz!
IOWA:
I want an answer Gentleman! I can be a very large “Burr” under your Saddle, for a very long time, if you choose to ignore me!
Dean Ayers
DeanAFOSI@aol.com
IOWANS AGAINST NAiTO: Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa,
Where is this GAO report you allegedly asked for on NAIS? (ref: below link)……
http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=248800
I , Dean Ayers, Glenwood, Iowa, want an answer, and it better be a personal one, not your faxed copies Sir!
To the Iowa Congressional Body: I want this answered ASAP. Are you on vacation from “Life” or what?
Stop NAIS! Protect Liberty of the People, not Agri-Biz!
I want an answer Gentleman!
I can be a very large “Burr” under your Saddle, for a very long time, if you choose to ignore me!
Dean Ayers
Glenwood, Iowa
DeanAFOSI@aol.com
IOWANS AGAINST NAIS
Comment DeanAFOSI (IOWA) — May 9, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
My Good People,
I want to extend my gracious and thankful appreciation to
www.americanclassifieds.com
and PAUL
for
reloading “We the People’s” ads to Fight NAIS and the USDA
in over 280 cities
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on their “Buzz” icon
in all 280 plus online cities
This gives “We the People”
direct LINK access
to over
1.5 Million Daily online readers
on Our Fight
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Liberty and Freedom!
STOP N.A.I.S. TO SAVE YOUR ANIMALS AND FREEDOM..
Please, ALL Americans, help STOP the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture from Destroying ALL American’s Civil RIGHTS to Freely own animals of ALL types, to include Farm Animals, from U.S. Government Intrusion and Violation of Our Constitutional Rights. Please go to web site: http://nonais.org/ and go to the Iowa web for specific NoNAIS information and details that will help ALL people Fight NAIS in their home State as follows: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iowans_Against_NAIS/
Oooh, Congress, We are Back!
Dean Ayers
Glenwood, Iowa 51534-6218
DeanAFOSI@aol.com
IOWANS AGAINST NAIS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iowans_Against_NAIS/
Comment DeanAFOSI (IOWA) — May 9, 2006 @ 8:44 pm
This is a quote from the Wisconsin web page for ID. “Our greatest assest is the cooperation of many.” What a hoot! Or, it would be if it were not so painful to read about a state that has actually pushed it through. In Maine, the state legistature tabled the state bill until the USDA forces all to comply. I wote to my senators and congressman and have heard back from only one. Let’s keep writing!
Comment Sue Santore — May 10, 2006 @ 7:25 am
I am encouraged that some State Reps are responding. I have emailed and written mine in MN and I don’t hear a word! VERY frustrating. Anyone from MN getting any response??
Thanks
Comment LuAnn — May 10, 2006 @ 7:34 am
So Wisconsin wants to be on the cutting edge, a leader? Hehe, only imagine what will happen to the first state that makes NAIS absolutely mandatory. Truckers transporting un-chipped animals will choose a route around that state. Result: economic impact. Sellers of un-chipped market animals will choose other markets. Result: economic impact. Folks who would have brought in animals for shows and exhibitions will choose to go elsewhere. Result: economic impact. This is just the short, obvious list, I’m sure there are other examples. Edna Hansen
Comment Edna — May 10, 2006 @ 9:30 am
Yes Edna like MOVING to another state!
Comment Goatster — May 10, 2006 @ 11:00 am
What amazes me is that Senator Feingold, who as Ranking Member of the State Judiciary Committee’s Subcomittee on the constitution, Civil Rights and Propert Rights (and usually fights to uphold our constitutional freedoms) is willing to let this issue fall by the wayside. In his letter to me he suggests I contact my State Rep “to advocate the changes you support”. I say he needs to step up to the plate! Our civil rights are being trampled in the Texas dust (Bush) and Feingold needs to get off the fence!
Senator Kohl’s ad campaigns talk about how he takes nothing from special interest groups. The letter I received from him in support of NAIS certainly makes me question the validity of that statement!He definately seems more inclined to look out for their interests over ours!
Comment Lois Jordan — May 11, 2006 @ 12:07 am
Here in Kentucky most everyone I have talked to about NAIS has no earthly idea what it is and what it will do. Some have already signed up and can not tell you the specifics of the program or how it will affect them. The time of trust in our policy makers is at an end.Kentuckains MUST take a stand against this outragous deprivation of freedom. Wake up and get educated and take a stand for god sake.
Comment Dave — May 11, 2006 @ 11:23 am
>>
since he is going to be in charge of depopulating the masses of our fur and feather covered friends how about bestowing upon Johanns the title of
DER DE-FURRER
you raise a good question about depupulating, (maybe they will include dogs as well) how will they go about it…perhaps the regs were written with safety in mind (giving them the benefit of the snout) but even if they never depopulated a whole 10 kill-ometer area, with
that reg in place, someone later might come along and do so….
Susan Barackman
Comment SUSAN — May 21, 2006 @ 6:16 am
While surfing the internet this wet, rainy (yeah, we needed it) weekend, I found this information on the website of the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, 2006 Resolutions, adopted November 16, 2005:
Under the heading “Credit Unions”, section 5.07, page 37, it states: WFC supports the dual chartering system and opposes any proposals which would supersede states’ rights or usurp the power of state regulators. (1997) R/10
However, under the heading “Agriculture”, section 2.73 Animal Identification System, page 26, it states: WFC will work with its members, WLIC, DATCP and others as implementing rules take effect and the premise registration system is implemented, as well as with any animal identification legislation and rules that may be adopted in the future. (2006) R/10
Seems like a double-standard to me.
link
Comment Texas Goat Gal — September 5, 2006 @ 9:54 am
Forgot to say, in the search box of this link, type “2006 Resolutions”.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — September 5, 2006 @ 10:37 am