Legislators in Colorado are resisting the USDA and state department of agriculture’s effort to force mandatory NAIS via 4H and FFA registrations:
DENVER, Colo. - The controversy over requiring 4-H and FFA participants to have their livestock entries enrolled in a mandatory premise program continues to grow as one state senator is rallying support in opposition to the proposal.
Republican state senator Greg Brophy (R-Wray) recently issued an open letter, calling on his colleagues within Colorado’s Gener-al Assembly to join him in opposing mandatory identification for 4-H and FFA participants at the Colorado State Fair, as well as local events, such as county fairs. So far the letter has been signed by eight state legislators.
The letter, addressed to Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Director, Marc Johnson and state Ag Commissioner John Stulp, calls for the two state officials to drop a requirement that would have only those participants who have obtained a federal premise ID, be eligible for entry into Colorado State Fair and local county fair activities and contests.
“There are a lot of my constituents who just bristle at the thought of having to register themselves and their operation with the federal government,” says Brophy.
The Colorado State Fair Board ruled on the issue and approved mandating the entry requirements to be effective starting with this year’s events.
“I strongly oppose something like that, because that limits our kids,” says state representative Ray Rose (R-Montrose), who is among those supporting senator Brophy’s opposition drive. “We, the government, are entering into areas we’re we don’t belong,” he tells the Ag-Journal this week. “We have far greater problems to solve than tinkering with the 4-H kids.”
Rose says there is a significant force behind the mandate. “They currently have the votes and the power to do so, if they choose to push it on through.”
State senator Rose feels that the push for the entry requirements is most likely coming from a section of urban lawmakers who he says has little to no understanding of rural America. “I don’t know if that’s entirely the case, but that’s where I see it coming from and that’s who I see propagating this.”
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Brophy says he is currently thinking about drafting legislation opposing the matter, but says he would first like to try and convince state leaders that such requirements are not needed and will injure 4-H and FFA programs and activities.
Alan Foutz, president of Colorado Farm Bureau (CFB,) tells the Ag-Journal the state organization strongly believes any form of participation in animal identification programs at either the state or federal levels, should remain strictly voluntary.
Foutz says Farm Bureau historically take any formal position regarding rules and regulations for contest entry re-quirements, such as 4-H and FFA activities. “On this particular issue, we’ve talked a lot with the CSU people and basically have said we don’t think that it needs to be mandatory, that it should be voluntary. But we’re not weighing in on it, because that’s their contest rules and we just don’t weigh in on contest rules.”
Foutz adds that its important to note many 4-H and FFA participants don’t own the property where they maintain their entry livestock, so mandatory premise identification may hinder their ability to use another land owner’s property, if that land owner does not want to be registered in any such programs. “I think that puts a burden on some of our young 4-H and FAA members, that we don’t need to do. So that does concern me a little bit.”
-AgJournalOnline
If you are in Colorado, now is the time to contact your representatives to let them know you oppose NAIS in all of it’s forms, mandatory as well as pseudo-voluntary. You can also leave comments on the article at the link above. Keep it polite but let them know what you think.
State senator Rose feels that the push for the entry requirements is most likely coming from a section of urban lawmakers who he says has little to no understanding of rural America. “I don’t know if that’s entirely the case, but that’s where I see it coming from and that’s who I see propagating this.”
How can someone who is a State Senator be this naive?
In a way it is touching, but I’d say his constituents need somebody a little more savvy.
Sometimes this whole thing is kind of fellini-esque …
Scaaaarrry …
Comment Lynn — July 22, 2007 @ 10:31 am
Now they are catching on!!!
Comment SUSAN — July 22, 2007 @ 11:40 am
I am in eastern CO. El Paso County fair started yesterday and my kids will NOT be showing due to the NAIS requirements I do not feel that my personal animals or my families project animals should be monitored by state officials. These animals are pets and also raised as our own meat. I do not take them to sale barns or buy from sale barns so there is not much movement going on. I also feel that the premises ID and numbering is a violation of my families privacy. I am very pleased to hear that we have someone fighting it in CO. Thank You for standing up for the people.
Comment Moriah Stroh — July 22, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
to#3…thanks for taking a stand to not let your kids enter due to the NAIS requirements BUT, if you have not already, you need to let them know why you made that decision…Call the El Paso County fair and the elected offal in your state so they can be aware of your decision and why…the more they hear from us who oppose the more they will get the idea NAIS is not good for children, cows or other living things….!! (Okay, okay, so I slightly reworked the phrase about war from the hippy days…but if it makes the point!)
Comment SUSAN — July 22, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Susan is right,Moriah. If you and others let the fair officials, including those running the 4H & FFA, that you are boycotting the fair they will quickly re-think thier positions. Especially if you can also get the visitors to boycott even going. Boycotts are the strongest weapon you/we have to achieve our desired results. Terrible as it may seem..MONEY TALKS! Boycott, start organizing, and as soon as they feel it, they’ll cave. This goes for every state in the Union.
Comment John Two Crows — July 23, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
according to kenny fox ,r-calf usa animal id committee chair,the USDA recently signed a agreement with the FFA to the tune of 600,000 to promote premises registration. that is why mr senator rose
Comment nick — July 23, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
what is premises identification? lectric law library(www.lectlaw.com) states that the word premises signifies a formal part of a deed,and is made to designate an estate. to designate is to name or entitle.therefore a premises has no protection under the united states constitution and has no exclusive rights of the owner tied to it. now do you want to identify your property as a premises under nais? leellen koroulis,kenny fox,r-calf thank you for making the public aware of the definition of a premises.
Comment nick — July 23, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
According to an article in ‘The High Plains Journal’ July 23, 2007 issue, Kansas is also requiring 4-Hers in some counties and FFA members nationwide, to participate in the NAIS if they wish to show market livestock. Each member is required to register for a premises ID number, then give the Extension agent that # when they tag the animals in the spring with the eID tags. Of course, all the ‘benefits’ of this program are touted, all the while each animal that is shown goes into a data base at state level and sent on to state animal health dept.
Kansas folks should get busy contacting their extension agents, 4-H leaders, and congressman that this is not something that should be mandatory for these youngsters. As far as I’m concerned, it’s an insidious way to expand the program and needs to be stopped.
Comment Stephanie — July 23, 2007 @ 9:20 pm