According to Dow Jones, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bruce Knight promised Wednesday to keep the national animal identification system (NAIS) a permanently voluntary system. The Dow Jones article said Knight wants to end debate over whether or not the NAIS will ever become mandatory, because that worry is only impeding progress on implementing a voluntary system. The Dow Jones report comes as USDA issued a 65-guide to the NAIS Wednesday. In an interview with Brownfield late last month, Knight also assured producers the NAIS would remain voluntary.
-Brownfield Network
As much as I would like to believe the man, I don’t. However, I do have some spectacular swamp land in northern Vermont under the power lines that I would sell to him - fantastic development potential.
Secondary link at Cattle Network.
I’ll believe Mr. Knight’s promise when I see it permanently carved in stone, along with the precise definition of voluntary. That way it would be irrevocable.
But remember, folks. Even if Mr. Knight is sincere, he may not be able to keep his pledge. Congress could someday override the USDA and declare NAIS to be mandatory. As a matter of fact, the incoming chairman of the House Agricultural Committee, Rep. Collin Peterson, has said repeatedly that he wants NAIS mandatory because the USDA has been “screwing” up the “voluntary” program. Obviously Mr. Peterson doesn’t get it that it was a screwed-up program to begin with.
So keep pushing, folks! Sounds to me like the USDA is getting desperate. Let’s keep them on the ropes!
God Bless
Comment Goatman — November 22, 2006 @ 8:16 pm
Great, another definition of voluntary! How many different ways are they going to claim voluntary? Are we supposed to believe it now? I for one am not going to let up until I see it in legal form. About the only thing we are certain from this is that the USDA has heard us.
Has anyone seen the articles in the latest Rural Heritage Magazine by Karin Bergener and Judith McGeary? You can find them here:
link
The Rural Heritage Magazine has been very supportive of those effort to stop NAIS. They are really good folks.
Comment Mary Beth — November 22, 2006 @ 8:34 pm
I went to have a look at the Rural Heritage link that Mary Beth posted, and saw something there that set my radar off -
” …Only non-profit agricultural or meat/livestock organizations should have control of the animal ID program. Private ‘for profit’ companies should not control the program. ”
Uh … what ‘non-profit organizations’ are they talking about here? This is the first I’ve heard of any non-profit participants, and maybe the PAWS fight, and the HEART fight and the horse slaughter fight have made me a little paranoid, but pretty much all the non-profits I can think of that have anything to do with animals are Animal Rights radicals …
So .. just exactly what or who is the Farm Bureau talking about here?
I mean, it was bad enough when it looked like being controlled by chip makers and feedlot corporations … are we to be comforted by the idea that the thing will be run by non-profits?
Somebody tell me it’s pure paranoia, and I just need a happy pill prescription ..
[My understanding is that the concerns were that if the government controlled the database it would be accessible under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) thus eliminating privacy and if a for-profit organization controlled the database they might charge fees and sell the information to the highest bidders, a big concern for the larger producers who are afraid of big meat packers taking control of them. People Eating Tasty Animals (PETA) and its ilk is not on the list of non-profits to control the system. Rather they would create a non-profit from scratch to do this. -WalterJ]
Comment Lynn — November 22, 2006 @ 9:16 pm
Mr. Knight, does this fall in the same category as the promise that the social security number would NEVER be used for identification purposes??
Try to open a checking account, apply for a credit card, purchase land, etc. without using it. A bank will tell you to go somewhere else. I know there are supposedly some ways around using your SS#, but we should not have to have to click our heels whenever we are asked “Papers, please”.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 22, 2006 @ 9:22 pm
We need to go after Rep. Peterson and educate him. He obviously isn’t aware the program is screwed up, that there is opposition or probably doesn’t care. This is just one part of the government’s long range plans. I don’t believe they really care about chipping animals. this is about controlling the masses. Ask any Native American about the government… Chipping animals is just the start.
My wife wrote our govenor (NY’s Pataki) telling him we would kill our animals rather than submit to NAIS. We mean it. Well, that set off a letter directly from the head of the NYS Dept. of Agriculture. Of course it was mostly reiterated bull$&%^ but it must have been enough to get thier attention. If we small farmers, breeders and owners were to send the same message, and MEAN IT, think what the potential domino effect it would have on the support businesses. Feedmills & stores, tractor supply stores, vets, sadlerys, etc. We are a more powerful consuming economic force than the Cargills, Tysons, etc.
Happy Thanksgiving - Two Crows
[Don’t kill your animals. That is just giving into the Govi-Corp terrorism by giving them control over your food. Please see the article “Don’t Kill Your Dreams” if you are even thinking that. We need to protect our rights, not suicide. Remember the old Chinese saying, “The ultimate revenge is watching your enemy’s body float down the river.” (Seeing their funeral.) -WalterJ]
Comment John Two Crows — November 22, 2006 @ 9:47 pm
Folk, tonight (22 Nov 06) I wrote, Bruce Knight, and the USDA Duty Agent, an email letter as follows:
Mr. Knight,
You claim in the media, you now believe in the “True” Voluntary program? Well this article implies, that you are just letting the States go MANDATORY, while the USDA ALLEGEDLY claims “Voluntary” status…
I don’t believe your BULL!!!! Please read my argument evidence below…
Mich. cattle must have electronic ID tags in ears11/22/2006, 4:03 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — All Michigan cattle leaving farms must be tagged with electronic identification in the left ear as part of an effort to combat bovine tuberculosis, state officials said Wednesday.
Mitch Irwin, director of the state Department of Agriculture, said the ability to trace food sources is increasingly important in the global economy.
“These radio frequency tags play a critical role in protecting the health of Michigan livestock, ensuring the safety of our food supply and managing animal diseases like bovine TB,” Irwin said.
The USDA has “proven” over and over, that it serves the needs of Corporation Agriculture “PROFITEERS”, not the American people, nor Traditional PET OWNERS, or Farmers…
Prove me wrong. I would like that!!!! Mr. Knight!!!
Dean A. Ayers,
Glenwood, Iowa
Animals C.L.U.B.-Freedom; “Protecting Your Rights of Free Speech!”
Here’re the details on: Animals_Club_Freedom:
Group home page:
link
LATER TONITE I GOT THIS RESPONSE FROM BRUCE KNIGHT’s EMAIL ADDRESS, but I think He or the USDA, “accidently” info. copied it to me, as they are TALKING ABOUT ME, not TO ME, in their response as follows:
From: “Bruce.Knight@usda.gov”
To: “‘DeanOSI@netscape.com’”
Subject: Re: Prove me wrong. I would like that! Mr. Knight!!!
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:15:20 -0500 (EST)
So do we want to respond?
————————–
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
—–Original Message—–
From: DeanOSI@netscape.com%inter2
To: Knight, Bruce ; Duty Officer -UTN
; Johanns, Mike ; Hammerschmidt,
Neil E -APHIS ; agri@idals.state.ia.us%
FOLKS I THINK THIS IS AN:
“I GOTCHA!” Mr. Knight!!!
Thanks for the Infomation!
We will see NOW if the USDA actually DOES respond appropriately to my email!
I Say: “Protecting Your Rights of Free Speech!”
Animals C.L.U.B.-Freedom
Dean A. Ayers
Glenwood, Iowa
DeanOSI@netscape.com
Comment DeanAFOSI (IOWA) — November 22, 2006 @ 10:43 pm
Can somebody help me? I believe Walter posted a while back about how the USDA is giving equipment to some foreign nation(s) to help them test for BSE (mad cow disease). I can’t seem to find the post. Does anyone remember the title of it? Or am I just imagining that such a post ever existed?
God Bless
[I believe you may be thinking of this post: “Foreign Farmers Fare Better” Your tax dollars at work helping the competition and big agri-biz. -WalterJ]
Comment Goatman — November 23, 2006 @ 9:11 am
TO ALL
“HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY” and “THANK YOU ALL FOR STANDING UP FOR LIBERTY”
“Its soul, its climate, its equality, liberty, laws, people, and manners. My God! how little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” Thomas Jefferson
Comment LEE — November 23, 2006 @ 11:01 am
Walter -
I don’t see a new non-profit created to manage this data-base as being any real improvement over the standard gummint bureaucracy, or any now existing non-profit.
[Neither do I. I was just relating what had happened. -WalterJ]
Have you, or anyone here, ever heard of a non-profit that didn’t make money hand over fist?
This plan also smell many day dead, and does not comfort me.
I wonder who they plan to hand this particular windfall to.
Sure wish someone could convince me that this thing really is going to go away. The Oregonian had a few inches deeply buried announcing the new status this morning, which is the first I’ve seen of any mention there.
And .. as I’m sure someone else observed, perhaps in another thread, will it matter if the Feds claim it is voluntary if the States make, or have made, it mandatory?
That has to be fixed too ..
Comment Lynn — November 23, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Thanks, Walter! My memory was obviously a little off, for I thought it was about BSE, not the avian flu. Same principle, though, of government taking our tax dollars and giving them away as foreign aid. Disappointing to say the least. And when the government does gives tax dollars back to us, they often do it in such a way as to tie us to their apron strings.
God Bless
Comment Goatman — November 23, 2006 @ 7:04 pm
is there a list of which states are going ahead and making this mandatory? i can’t seem to find anything. thanks.
jojo
Comment jojo — November 23, 2006 @ 8:27 pm
have a happy thanks giving
Comment nick lecompte — November 23, 2006 @ 9:32 pm
I received an e-mail from Senator Leiberman (CT) (conveniently after the election) indicating it WILL be mandatory and how happy he was to answer.
(Walter I forwarded it to you for the naughty list-did you get it?)
Comment Bee — November 24, 2006 @ 7:57 am
So Lieberman is all for NAIS, Bee? Shucks. I was hoping he wasn’t, seeing as how he is an independent Democrat in Congress, and likely to be a swing player during the next two years. If he would only join in the fight against NAIS, I think our chances of stopping it would be a little better.
Well, we’ll keep pushing anyway.
God Bless
Comment Goatman — November 24, 2006 @ 6:24 pm
I asked Senator Warner (VA) about his position on NAIS. “He” responded with a buncy of voitng hestory on the issue and stating that he was in favor because of the benefit to the industry that helped USDA write the plan. Mayhaps Senator Warner needs to look into the matter and fire the staffer writing for him.
My cynical guess is that the Republicans finally woke up to ‘06 election votes lost owing to perceived NAIS violation of grassroots American freedoms. And, they are now trying for ‘08 election damage control.
When you have Wiemers in a USDA-APHIS liaison position saying they would walk the street and look in every yard, (enforcement?) it doesn’t give a warm fuzzy regard for the administration that is promoting the NAIS outrage.
Holiday blessings to eveyone!
Comment Charles Thurber — November 27, 2006 @ 10:17 am
I took some bucks to auction today, and while I was passing out anti-NAIS info before the auction started, I had two people tell me that NAIS was dead. They said they heard it last week. I told them that what they heard was government newspeak, and that they had to read carefully what the government was saying about keeping it “voluntary” on the federal level (which we all know even that is a big lie). I told them that the states are implementing it, and everything is right on track. These type of people make me sick, because they will never lift a finger to visit this website, or any other, to further research and learn, and yet they latch onto anything that would “let them off the hook”. In other words, they weren’t going to do anything to stop NAIS from the beginning, and they feel like any hint of its defeat will keep them from ever having to get involved. I am so glad I am not wishy-washy on important issues like this. I could not live with myself if I did not get involved, like we all do. I was talking loud enough so that one side of the audience at a time could hear what I had to say about this “voluntary” business.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 27, 2006 @ 12:24 pm
Does it come as a surprise to any of you that Bruce Knight used to be a lobbyist for the National Corn Growers Association?
Comment Henwhisperer — November 27, 2006 @ 1:47 pm
Big doings in South Korea, on MSNBC’s website the South Koreans are slaughtering chickens (bird flu) and cats and dogs. The slaughter of cats and dogs are
according to the article extreme and probably not necessary…News like this doesn’t help our cause (nonais) because most uninformed people will think NAIS will prevent bird flu etc. This type of stuff will probably be used as scare the public propaganda here in the good old USA as to why we need nais and why we should be willing to give up our rights to be “protected” …sounds all too familiar these days, government extortion!
I also just received a form letter from Governor Lynch regarding my letter to him opposing NAIS…blah, blah, blah, sounds like he will have a staffer look into it. Gee thanks that oughta let me sleep at night. I think I’m going to ask (demand?) for my 15 minutes of fame and see if I can get a one on one with the Governor…stay tuned!
Comment Bob Constantine — November 27, 2006 @ 4:58 pm
To Texas Goat Gal: You have my congratulations, and sympathies. Keep up the good work! There are still people out there who would willingly get involved in spreading the word about how bad NAIS is. They’re just not easy to find. Keep fishing!
To Henwhisperer: Doesn’t surprise me at all. That’s dear old government for you. Lobbyists turned politicians, and politicians turned lobbyists.
God Bless
Comment Goatman — November 27, 2006 @ 5:20 pm
While browsing through the USDA website, I read this:
“The NAIS program - a voluntary State-Federal-Industry partnership - is designed to: l. Protect your premises and your livelihood.” (protect is underlined)
link
As “premises” is defined as “land and buildings together considered as a property”, according to Wikipedia, it struck me that this could be construed as a veiled threat with regard to the very dirt under our feet. It doesn’t say “protect your livestock”, but your “premises”. Sounds like they might plan to tear down your buildings (like the Faillaces) and push you off your land - permanently.
Nothing is too far-fetched.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 27, 2006 @ 6:34 pm
become disease free with animal i.d.,what a wonderful thought.if mandatory animal i. d. realy happens most small farms will become disease free,they cant afford to keep the animals they now have.
Comment nick lecompte — November 27, 2006 @ 9:54 pm
Here’s an article about NAIS being voluntary, where Doreen Hannes is quoted. Because the URL is so long, click on the following link, then under “News Headlines” is article #7, “Feds Drop Animal Registration Plan”. Also, on the Henwhisperer website, Mary Zanoni has “A Preliminary Analysis of the USDA’s NAIS User Guide of November 2006″. I haven’t found this anywhere else on the web.
link
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 28, 2006 @ 11:29 am
Notice they never discuss keeping premises ID “voluntary”. In the above article, the AP writes, “The department’s goal is to have all premises registered by January 2008 and to have full participation in the system by January 2009.” To the uneducated people we all face every day, this sounds like a complete defeat of NAIS. The USDA is actually making our work harder as we try to educate the masses. Could that be their intent with all this “voluntary” talk? I say yes.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 28, 2006 @ 11:35 am
Wanted to share the response from my PA state rep, David Argall, to my latest inquiry on mandatory premises ID. Have to remain vigilant, but appears to be tabled for now. I did point out that PDA is registering folks without their knowledge or consent, but haven’t had a response to that yet!
“Thank you for contacting me requesting an update on the mandatory Premises ID for livestock owners. As you know, this is a national program initiated at the federal level by the USDA.”
“My understanding, after reviewing this issue with the staff of the House Agriculture Committee, is that we are not doing this in Pennsylvania unless and until we are forced to by the federal government. However, that is unlikely, especially in the next few years.”
“It is my understanding that the Premise ID bill, Senate Bill 865, will not be further considered. As you know this bill would require mandatory premise identification. Absent the passage of Senate Bill 865 or any similar legislation, the Pa Department of Agriculture still has the authority to solicit premise identification on a voluntary basis and that is what they are doing.”
“At issue right now is whether Pennsylvania will require premise identification. At this time, I believe too many questions remain unanswered to move forward with such enabling legislation.”
Comment Vicki — November 28, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
Howdo folks:
If you go to:
link
you will find an initial analysis of the new rules from Judith McGeary and FARFA.
The post is from 27 Nov.
respects, Wm
ps the sum of 3 and 7 is 10 but I was bounced Walter. Meaning I wasn’t smart enough to copy my post before I clicked Submit Comment, lol.
[Did you perchance put a decimal or space in the answer? I tried and that caused the bounce for me… -WJ]
Comment Mr Dirty Nails — November 28, 2006 @ 7:28 pm
Somehow my link with regard to #22 and #23 did not go through. Here is that link:
link
It is article #7, November 28th, under “News Headlines”.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 29, 2006 @ 11:22 am
“My understanding, after reviewing this issue with the staff of the House Agriculture Committee, is that we are not doing this in Pennsylvania unless and until we are forced to by the federal government”
This is somewhat reassuring. I’ve been concerned the SB 865 would be resurrected with a few changes to remove the most ridiculous parts.
Comment Barbara — November 29, 2006 @ 4:44 pm
Vucki & Barbara (#24/27)
Please read the comments I put up yesterday after talking to PDA.
Thanks,
Steve
Comment Steve Orr — November 30, 2006 @ 12:13 pm
Sorry Vicki, I misspelled your name.
Steve
Comment Steve Orr — November 30, 2006 @ 12:14 pm
There was a brief article in the Dec 06 / Jan 07 issue of Progressive Farmer about “mandatory” NAIS. It’s on page 44 in the magazines QUICKTAKES section. I’m not sure if Progressive Farmer is “Progressive”. They don’t seem to be on the same page as
other publications I read, Mother Earth News, Country Side, Back Woods Home etc. I’m wondering if Progressive Farmer is one of those industry backed publications,you know a “psuedo magazine”…anybody?
They do have a forum for reader comments, but I’ve never seen any letters opposing NAIS. hmmm.
To ask them directly where they stand on NAIS -
Editorial Office = 2100 Lakeshore Dr. Birminham, AL 35209 PH 205-445-6000 fax 205-445-6450 Customer Service = PO Box 62376 Tampa, FL 33662-3768 ph 1-800-292-2340
The brief article I mentioned gave info. on how to signup for a PIN number, but didn’t say anything negative about NAIS…Maybe I’ll call them and see if I can get a direct answer on their stance on NAIS.
Comment Bob Constantine — December 9, 2006 @ 9:04 am
How can I get more information about how this nais program is going to affect those of us who live in the cities? I understand how it may make it harder for farmers but how will it affect me too?
Comment Andrea — July 21, 2007 @ 11:46 pm