The USDA is working up a new cost analysis to justify its National Animal Identification System which is currently voluntary but they have long declared that eventually it will be mandatory. The press release from the USDA states in part:
Several segments of the livestock industry will be a part of this analysis including small producers; commercial producers; marketing institutions; processing facilities and rendering operations. Kansas State and colleagues will study the benefits and costs of all components of NAIS across species. Also, the analysis will seek to determine the overall distribution of benefits and costs of NAIS among producers of various sized herds, marketing firms, processors, consumers and state and federal government agencies.
-USDA Press Release
The USDA’s definition of small producers aims too high. They don’t include backyard producers and a lot of other truly small producers who will be most burdened by the costs of NAIS. We don’t need more government regulations or restrictions on our ability to raise food and farm. NAIS represents a tax on food production and a required permitting for livestock producers.
So, Kansas U. will do a cost-benefit analysis from the point of view of the industry. This will then be used to justify NAIS. Our founders, most of whom were small farmers, are spinning in their graves. Apparently our government has forgotten that the Constitution was specifically designed to limit the powers of government.
Not sure where to post this one so here goes.
I have been asked by folks who are fighting the Real ID act of 05 to pass this along to all my anti NAIS friends.
On the 24th of Sept at 10am there will be a protest type meeting on the steps of the Pa capital against Real ID.
This will of course be a peacefull meeting and there will be several speakers.
Aaron Bolinger is here in Pa fresh from South Carolina and that states new law rejecting South Carolina from participation in Real ID,Aaron wrote that law with help from some others,it flatly states that South Carolina will not participate in Real ID,period end of conversation it passed unanoumosly in both house and senate,hows that for “Just say NO to Real ID eh?”
Here in Pa we have many senators and reps who are already on our side,it looks good to defeat Real ID here in Pa too! Pa is considered a crucial state in this fight.I was told folks against NAIS are welcome to be there.
Folks “if” you can get there please do,if you cant then please call your reps in Pa and tell them to defeat Real ID also folks from all over this union if any can call or come then please do,but a call will certainly help if not,
and don’t forget to mention NAIS as it is a related issue.
I know that most of the people in this group agree with me that NAIS is a twin issue with Real Id,we have to knock down each of these things,I believe if we can kill real ID we have a better chance of stopping NAIS as it is being pushed by the same knotheads in Mordor on the Potomac.
I will do my best to pass along any more info as I get it.
On another note I need some help,I have been working with these people on this Real ID issue and they have asked me to work with them on possibly bringing the issue of Animal Id into the mix so to speak,
the people working on Real ID had little info if any on NAIS so I was able to bring them up to speed on the issue and have had good responses from the lot of them they think Animal Id is rotten too,I believe we have gained a few friends in this fight.
My question is this; there have been several states such as Vermont that opted out of NAIS or who passed “resolutions” against NAIS,I need copies of the “language” of these bills and resolutions,If anyone has copies on their computers would they please send me a copy to alaskagoat82@yahoo.com Please mark them as concerning NAIS so I dont delete them.
As I see it these issues are related,both must be defeated,maybe we can kill two birds with one stone.thanks in advance!
“Live free or die tryin”
[In Vermont’s case mandatory Premises Registration was tried by the Ag Dept as an end run around the citizens and legilators. The legislators said you have to get feedback and go through us. The Ag Dept tried and got resounding No! from the public. They gave up and declared there would be no mandatory Premises Registration. Thus there is no legislation, just a mandate from the people and the legislators and then the Ag Dept backing down. -WJ]
Comment LEE — September 12, 2007 @ 10:17 am
the problem with these studies are that when we (livestock producers and farmers)recieve a letter from one of these state unv.and dont answer it they assume we are for it or dont care either way.if we do answer it they then have the information they are seeking ,and we are in their data base. we need to answer it in a way not giving the information they are really seeking,but in a kind way to let them know we are not for any of it.
Comment nick — September 13, 2007 @ 4:53 am
Lee - On January 25, 2007 on this website we had a topic regarding Legislation in New Hampshire. HB 206. Sue F. and I attended and spoke at the hearing. Bottom line we got
legislation that indicates any participation would be “voluntary”…not what we wanted, but a small step in the right direction, the bill was signed into law. Not sure if this helps.
Good luck in PA, good idea to enlist our “brothers” in the National People I.D. fight. Great minds think alike!
It is surprising how many people know about National I.D. but still remain uninformed of NAIS. Keep spreading the word.
Comment Bob Constantine — September 13, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Thank you Bob,and yes it does help,I appreciate it,thanks again!
“Live free or die tryin”
Comment LEE — September 13, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
NAIS aims way too high. In my own case I’d like to just continue selling several dozen eggs to friends and neighbors to offset feed costs of critters I’d keep anyway. Maybe expand and sell a few heritage turkeys and truly free range chickens for the holidays. There are thousands like me here. No great plans. Just a few extra dollars for something they would do anyway.
On my way to work I pass 3 chicken tractors and 4 coops easily visible from the road. Means there are 40 more that I can’t see in that 14 mile stretch. Could even be more. Never counted. I don’t figure it’s any body’s business but their own.
I think most in NH view the lack of participation and silence as a rejection of NAIS. Our few who registered can be counted on fingers and toes. The rest ignore it. It’s a passive way of saying leave us alone.
Comment Sue F — September 14, 2007 @ 2:40 am
There is an interesting article from R-CALF regarding some problems with the Australian
version of NAIS. Rather than increasing premiums for age source verifications, deductions are made if your critter loses a tag. It seems disease traceback became irrelevant, and the purpose for id is for big ag to increase export profits. It is a good article to read.
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=159803
Comment eileen — September 14, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
“It seems disease traceback became irrelevant, and the purpose for id is for big ag to increase export profits.”
Not aimed at you eileen, but DUH! That’s what NAIS is all about.
Comment Henwhisperer — September 14, 2007 @ 3:22 pm