This is the letter to the editor which I sent to our local paper in the fall of 2005. It appeared in the Forum section and garnered a tremendous response. Feel free to borrow liberally from this letter or even use it if you like for your local paper. We must spread the word so that people know about the freight train that is bearing down upon us.
I am concerned that the national animal ID system is too invasive into people’s lives. If the real purpose of NAIS is to track the food supply for instances like mad cow disease then:
1) NAIS is not necessary for horses, donkeys, guardian animals or other non-food animals - these animals are not going to enter the human food chain in our country and should NOT be tracked by the government.
2) NAIS is not necessary for sales direct to the consumer from the farm. In these cases there is already far better tracking of the food chain. I breed and raise my own pigs and sheep. I sell directly to the consumer. The consumer, my customer, knows me. I know the consumer. I know my animals. My customer knows exactly where their food came from - me.
3) NAIS should not be at all involved with people who are raising livestock for their own family consumption. They know exactly where the food came from - they raised it. There is no need to have any government involved in our own kitchens and backyard food raising.
NAIS is being implemented too broadly. To include the above three groups suggests the government has ulterior motives and is trying to invade people’s privacy. There should be exemptions for the above three groups.
Thank you,
Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm
in Vermont
Here is my letter to my Governor.
Congratulations on luring the PRCA to New Mexico! This will be a real boost to our State. However there is another matter that will jeopardize both the PRCA and the local rural farming communities. The proposed National Animal Id Act (NAIS) through the USDA will bring the downfall of local rodeos, equestrian events and even smaller farms and ranches.
The proposed Animal ID act will require ALL animal movements to be tracked. Can you imagine the logistical nightmare of trying to scan a microchip in every single steer, calf, bull and horse participating in the rodeo? Then reporting every single animal to the USDA with in 48 hours of the event. Plus the owners of the animals will have to pay a fee to turn in such a report. For example if a livestock contractor owns 30 head of cattle at the rodeo, he will have to file 30 individual reports twice. One report would be for the animals leaving his ranch and arriving at the event and an additional report for the animal leaving the event and returning to his ranch. That would be 60 total reports and a filing fee for each individual report. If that fee was just a dollar that livestock contractor would be out an additional $60.00 from his operating cost, however that fee is proposed to be even higher than $1.00.
The impact of the NAIS on the local rural farmers would be even greater. I personally own several horses that I ride both at home and in local competitions. NAIS will effectively cost me the freedom to take my horses into the National Forest or the local state park to ride with my friends on a simple trail ride. It would curtail my traveling across the state to enter competitive events. This issue not only affects me, but my friends, my neighbors, my family and every other livestock owner in the entire state. I would be required to report every single time my horse leaves my property and every animal it comes in contact with off my property then again when the horse comes back on my farm. Can you imagine the impact this would have on the State Fair livestock shows? Every single animal at the State Fair would have to be tracked. Every single 4-H and FFA member would have to file a report every time they took an animal to a show. Every single Racehorse owner would have to report their horses on a DAILY basis while the horses are stabled at one of the States racetracks with all the other horses. Every single feed storeowner that sells chicks or rabbits would have to report every chick they bought or sold. Previtt Hatchery and other local poultry hatcheries would have to track every single chicken in their facility AND every single chick they sell or ship.
I have voiced my concerns on this issue to Sen. Jeff Bingaman and he is also concerned that this will be a burden for local producers.
I am hoping that you will work with the New Mexico Livestock Board and our Sate and Federal representatives to help put an end to this NAIS issue.
Thank you
Comment Anna — February 19, 2006 @ 9:09 pm
I have sent this, or a similar version, to several prominent news columnists, as well as Air America Radio, in the hopes that someone in the national media will get on board about this travesty:
The state in which I live, Kentucky, has recently taken one more step down the slippery slope to the complete loss of civil rights which is being encouraged by our government in the name of security. Many are unaware of the fact that in 2006 Kentucky begins mandatory participation in the REAL ID program, which will be placing RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) into our drivers’ licenses. However, technology being considered for use in the cards could allow thieves with hand-held devices to steal the information on them from up to 20 feet away. (See this link for a story in the LA Times about this which ran this week: link )
As well, the USDA has created a program called the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) which will soon require anyone who owns even one of any of the following animals: horses, cows, goats, sheep, poultry, swine, lamas, alpacas, bison, elk, and deer, to identify their animals with a 15 character tag, microchip, or RFID, ostensibly for the purpose of tracking disease. See this link for the USDA site on the NAIS: link and then on the upper right hand side of the page click on the links for Draft Strategic Plan and then Draft Program Standards.
I encourage anyone who lives in this country and who values their civil rights to find out more about these erosions of our rights and to let their legislators know how they feel about them. See these websites for more info: www.nonais.org, www.stopanimalid.org, www.unrealid.com and fight this intrusion of the government into every aspect of our lives in the name of “security.” For in the immortal words of Benjamin Franklin, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
Comment LWH — February 22, 2006 @ 8:29 am
I have written to my congressmen about NAIS. One of them wrote back asking what bill I was concerned about. I can’t find a number. Can you tell me? I suspect the others are going to ask.
Comment Brenda Stephens — March 2, 2006 @ 10:18 pm
That is the tricky part. There is no single bill number. NAIS is not a bill but a regulation. NAIS was empowered under the Patriot Act and things that came out of that. Start with getting rid of the Patriot Act. Also the legislation that Specter and Leahy put through regarding farms. Old stuff, not new stuff.
Comment walterj — March 3, 2006 @ 6:09 am
Ohh My gods say it ain’t so!! Cain Tuck ee has lost it’s independant soul!! KY people used to be all about freedom and nobody telling them what to do! I was raised by KY ppl and live in Dayton around KY people. I am so glad I didn’t get a KY license before I moved back to OH last year!
Comment Aislinn — March 6, 2006 @ 12:50 am
National animal ID sounds like the a component of the Number of the Beast
Comment DB — March 9, 2006 @ 1:28 pm
The executive agencies, such as the Dept. of Agriculture, issue statutory laws all the time that are supposed to be based on some Congressional authorization. In this case, it is also likely based on requirements in the so-called “free-trade” agreements, arrived at by unelected, nameless trade representatives. Many state farm agencies are also issuing these requirements - at the direction of the Dept. of Agriculture. These proposed and final laws are published in the Federal Register and various State Registers. Comments are requested, then after they are ignored, they issue the final rule.
Comment Indiana Jane — March 14, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
Here is what I sent to my local (13,000 readership) rural newspaper (you have my permission to use it, it’s 260 words):
Did you know that the government wants to implant microchips into all farm animals? Talk about “mark of the beast!” If this passes, and you don’t comply (at your expense, of course), your animals will be seized and destroyed and you will be heavily fined.
This is the National Animal ID System, and it’s already manditory in some states. The USDA, under the wing of “homeland security,” wants to make NAIS required on a national level, so that every horse, cow, chicken, goat, sheep, alpaca, duck or any other farm animal in the country would be chipped, tracked with a satellite through GPS registration of your home, and accounted for.
If you ride your horse off your own property, it must be reported. If your goat dies, you must report it to the government within 48 hours or face a $500 fine. If you have a few lambs to sell, they must all be chipped, reported, and tracked.
One of the excuses given for this program is to “stop the spread of disease,” but it does nothing to prevent disease because Big Ag does not have to comply. That’s right, the giant factory farms don’t have to chip their animals. They are the very ones lobbying the USDA to enact NAIS.
There may still be time to stop this program from becoming national – right now it’s been put on the back burner but will be revisited by the USDA within the next few months. Please visit www.nonais.org or contact the USDA to let them know how you feel about NAIS.
Comment Willow — March 15, 2006 @ 11:52 am
Everyone in this Country needs to UNITE and stop this Government MAdness in Making US (WE THE PEOPLE) all SLAVES to their Regulations.. If we DO NOT attempt to get involved to stop the U.S.D.A. now, then tomorrow they will be putting the “Mark of the BEAST” chips in your children, and you will be reporting on them to the Government also…NOW is the time to REFUSE TO COMPLY with this Infrigement upon OUR RIGHTS as, “WE THE PEOPLE” will not be made slaves of, by any dictator, ESPECIALLY the U.S. Government..
Comment Dean — March 19, 2006 @ 4:17 am
stand up and be counted
before they chip us
remember the dead poet’s society
when they all stood up on
their desks together?????
united we stand
divided we fall
altogether now
we can do it
Comment sid sargent — March 19, 2006 @ 9:47 am
The U.S.D.A. is calling US, their “NATIONAL HERD.” Wake up American’s, Our Government thinks each of US are dumb as sheep or cattle, and will not act…Each of YOU need to stand up and NOT COMPLY with the Animal ID program..Write letters and emails telling them so…They are banking on each of you being dumb as sheep to do nothing to stop them…WAKE UP AMERICAN’s..This is our CALL TO ACTION TO RESIST Government takeover of Our Lives. This will be forever more PEOPLE….FIGHT BACK NOW…….
Comment Art in IOWA — March 19, 2006 @ 11:41 am
germany didn’t see this coming
either
sewing the star on was innocent
I don’t blame the people for being naive
if they had known about the gas chambers they would not have supported hitler
nobody knows about the bird flu bill and we know why
it’s too gruesome.my neighbors
don’t have the guts for it;i am
just a crackpot even though i am trying to save their chickens for them
alas I cannot sleep and my
whole body aches with foreboding.
we need to become detectives
to prove that the whole agr
conglomerate is a disaster for
the world and that the result
will be world-wide famine if
the war doesn’t get us first.
we just need to get braver.
who will join me in arkansas?
duckschickensanimals@yahoo.com
Comment sid sargent — March 20, 2006 @ 7:49 am
We are very small farmers.belong to farmers market assn of mendocino county.we have rabbits,chickens and pigeons.we have five dogs.four cats,two reptiales,two cockateals.we don’t need no “chips”
Comment lee and claudia finerty — March 25, 2006 @ 10:54 am
Mr. Jeffries,
My husband & I just recently found out about all that is involved in the NAIS & RFID programs. We have Emailed letters to Senators, Governer etc. including Ken Givens - TN dept of Agri. Commissioner. We received an Email back from him stating he did not know who was spreading the misinformation that NAIS is being started because of mad cow disease & that NAIS would not affect us or an elderly lady (whom all the neighbors help take care of her few cows & sheep). I went into the TN dept of Agr. website on NAIS &
guess what it says - TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF MAD COW & OTHER DISEASES! I’m furious, I feel like Emailing him a copy of his own website. Also, why would this not affect me or my neighbors?
Thank you for spreading the news about NAIS!
Randall & Katy Warrick
Fayetteville, TN
Comment Randall & Katy Warrick — April 3, 2006 @ 11:28 am
Katy, You should write to him and give him the URL and quote from that page. He is either incompetent or lying. It is his job to know this but he appears not to. A favorite ploy of the Pro-NAIS people is to claim that “the web sites like NoNAIS.org are spreading misinformation.” But when I have asked them what errors are on NoNAIS.org they will never reply. We have are facts straight. Confront him about the BSE issue and specifically ask him for where which web sites are wrong.
“Also, why would this not affect me or my neighbors?”
It would affect you as currently written. The draft plan for NAIS needs to be changed so that it only affects the big industrial farms and exempts the small producers, family farms, homesteaders and pet livestock owners. NAIS should be made 100% voluntary.
Comment walterj — April 3, 2006 @ 12:04 pm
OT, but Walter…the link for the MO Rally doesn’t work….Help? Thank you!
[Fixed. Thanks for alerting me to the problem! -WJ]
Comment Doreen — April 4, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
Thank you for putting up this web site. Do you know of any folks in Colorado that are doing anything to get the info out about NAIS? Everyone I talk to either knows nothing or heard alittle and aren’t sure about what it all means. I have a few folks that are starting to get the word out. Just wondering if there are any others here.
Comment Debbie In Colorado — April 26, 2006 @ 12:18 pm
Debbie,
Here is the Colorado group:
link
:-)
Comment Dana — May 16, 2006 @ 5:57 pm
I have a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats in Wisconsin and we are having major issues with Nais and Premises registration. I will not sign up for the Premises registration and the WI. Dept. of Ag sent 2 inspectors out to my property to try and get me to sign up. I told them no and to leave! They were not very happy with me and told me it was mandatory. I am completely against this and I will not sign up. I want people to know what is going on and any help would be greatly appreciated!
Comment Abigail Lippmann — July 24, 2006 @ 9:04 pm
I just read about all this NAIS in the last month, so far only in part, I can’t seem to “digest” meaning comprehend the total insanity of it…. has halloween started early or is it here to stay with the insanity of the entire plan???does anyone know of any plans for a return crossing of the Mayflower about the size of the USS Kennedy??? in case our usa givermint has really lost it all???
Comment J.Sorenson — July 27, 2006 @ 11:08 am
I just left a mesg of questions that I do not see on the comments where did it go??? does your comment box not take comments without tolls??? I asked if the us givermint gets any crazier, on this plan they want to impliment, is there any return Mayflowers about the size of the USS Kennedy going to say Storkholm or close by whee I would hope they don’t tag and chase all the animals. does that also include lizards out west, and snakes Humans are not in it so far as I have read. The insanity of it all is to much like Halloween evry day and night. It is very hard to even try to digest, meaning to comprhend the stupidity of it all as well as the insanity…..perhaps there should be some kind of sat test for anyone running for office of givermint ,what say??? js
Comment J.Sorenson — July 27, 2006 @ 11:22 am
found my mesg. sorry i dont know the workings much yet of this new fangled contraption, ill hang up as many ccopies of the NoNAIS ,org as possible.Im still in shock of it in truth. the end
Comment J.Sorenson — July 27, 2006 @ 11:30 am
In reference to comment #19…
Is it time for us to get legal advice from the ACLU on this issue?
Comment donna — July 27, 2006 @ 9:14 pm
AGAIN, the government has went thru the back door against the AMERICAN PEOPLE.
This is a violation of our Civil Rights and if we do not contact in writing, letters to our representatives this law will be enforced.
This will put a majority of small farms/ranches out of business.
I urge all of you to tell your neighbors and all your friends/enemies alike about this.
This is lobbyists for the chipping industry and big business.
Thank you,
Judy
Cuba, Missouri
Comment Judy — August 7, 2006 @ 8:56 am
Hello:\
A million to one says the ACLU won’t touch it.
respects, Wm
[I and several other people have contacted the ACLU repeatedly at both the national and local state levels. They have repeatedly told us that they are not interested because it is not a real issue involving people - just animals and farmers. Sad. -WJ]
Comment Mr Dirty Nails — August 7, 2006 @ 11:30 am
Like farmers aren’t “real” people. Let’s face it, folks don’t think highly of a bunch of sod bustin’ dirt farmers. Never really have. Being from the deep south I have had my share of this attitude.
Comment Goatster — August 7, 2006 @ 2:08 pm
I have been using some online forums and places like Myspace.com to get the word out to the people. Myspace.com has many many many people participating. There are many political group forums, the one I found that was supportive was the liberal groups. The republican groups wanted to hear nothing of it- and poked fun at ‘farming and ID chipping animals.’ Some even said- “Who cares? They are just dumb animals…”
This is a message that needs to reach every single person- no matter what the political belief.
I have considered selling my horses before this gets passed. There will be no horse market once this happens…
Comment Lynn Brander — August 25, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
I have one huge question… Excatly how is the NAIS going to handle persons owning animals who are boarded elsewhere? Like at a stable, pasture, etc…
Comment Lynn Brander — August 25, 2006 @ 1:09 pm
Greetings,
I have been hearing alot about this NAIS plan. I am just a simple person who has a few pet horses… and I really feel you have no business tracking what I do with my horses or where I go. Being that you probably don’t care about that, I was wondering how you plan to handle persons who have horses boarded at facilities like stables, pastures, etc?
I am also wondering if you have taken it into consideration that there are many people who make money on horses. Breeders, Trainers, horse traders, etc. Have you considered the outcome of what this plan will do to persons who RELY on HORSES and LIVESTOCK to MAKE A LIVING!!!!!
I have a couple of stallions that I stand at stud, the thought of having to file reports on every single mare that comes to my place, file a report any time I want to ride my horse on a trail ride, go to a local horse show… It is an outrage adn not something a person like myself can easily afford.
I truly believe that this will force many people to sell the animals they own. What is going to happen to the surplus horses? Are you going to have them destroyed because your government plan won’t allow people the freedom to care for the animals????
What sort of response do you think the American people will have once they discover that this is an EVIL and HORRIBLE program?
I am not sure how you sleep at night knowing that you plan to change people’s lives for the worse. My horses are my only kind of entertainment and recreation. I don’t drink, smoke or do anything else illegal. But what you propse threatens my way of life… I can’t imagine being fines because I didn’t report that I went to my neighbors, and I happened to ride my horse!
An extremely frustrated Horse Owner,
Lynn Brander
I just sent this to the USDA secertary. I am certain it will likely be ignored.
Comment Lynn Brander — August 25, 2006 @ 1:20 pm
“[I and several other people have contacted the ACLU repeatedly at both the national and local state levels. They have repeatedly told us that they are not interested because it is not a real issue involving people - just animals and farmers. Sad. -WJ] ”
The response I got from the ACLU is that they will not act on this until AFTER someone’s rights are violated. They won’t act on a proposed violation of the Constitution.
Comment Barbara — August 25, 2006 @ 11:43 pm
“An extremely frustrated Horse Owner,
Lynn Brander”
Take a deep breath Lynn. In the constantly changing world of NAIS rules, horses may be least affected if they push this through. HOWEVER, I still am doing my darndest to oppose ANY regulations. I have no intention of inventorying my property for the USDA even if they kiss my a**.
I actually asked Hammerschmidt if he expects people that board horses to file reports when a boarded horse returns to my “premise”. I had to explain that it was none of my business where my boarders go and when they return to my property - that I had my own life to lead instead of spying for the gov’t. I think that was a new concept for him.
Comment Barbara — August 25, 2006 @ 11:55 pm
I have to wonder too about the horses. My property is in current use with a major snowmobile corridor that goes clear to Canada. Horses pass through constantly. Most times I never even know it unless I see hoofprints. I know my horses would be at the fence if a stranger passes through on horseback. They’d be at the fence for a person with a pack goat or llama too. Contact, co-mingling and I never even knew it.
Same goes for my poultry. I have lots of wild turkey and grouse here. The state releases pheasant for hunting right next door.Last year those truckloads of pheasant came from NY. Wonder how they would like their beloved pheasant release sight shut down because of NAIS. I shold ask for health certs next load that is dumped. They always wind up on my property. Bet they can’t produce a health cert easily.
Just thinking about what’s down the back roads here. Every 4th house has a chicken or a horse or a goat.
It will also cause a major rewrite of real estate laws. Deed research will have to include NAIS info. Raising costs. How marketable is a property that is tracked going to be?
Comment Sue F — August 26, 2006 @ 6:41 am
I’ll bet it was…a new concept for a person like that. People like this must have been the kids in schoolt hat no one liked and now they want some sort of revenge… *laugh*
Even though my main interest is horses, I do have chickens, who are my pets. I have recently had a neighbors dog help itself to some of my delicious plump hens…would i have to file a report for the dog carrying my chickens back to its yard- wouldn’t it become a premise since the chickens were there? Albeit momentarily? *laugh* I just can’t imagine the nightmare this will become.
Comment Lynn Brander — August 26, 2006 @ 10:41 am
When the neighbor’s dog takes your chicken, you only need to inform the USDA that your chicken either died or got lost. (I guess it’s lost if you don’t see feathers in the dog’s mouth.) But, be sure you report the correct chicken ID#.
Comment Barbara — August 26, 2006 @ 9:25 pm
Does anyone know of any groups in Southern California? Yes some of us DO have animals for backyard production as well.
[Look in the right sidebar under Discussion Lists for the two CA groups (CA in general, CA Central). -WJ]
Comment Brenda — September 20, 2006 @ 11:49 am
My husband and I are currently raising a small herd of goats and some Dexter cattle. From what I can figure out we will have to get rid of at least the goats. It would be too expensive to tag every one of them and everyone knows what escape artists goats can be.
I will not voluntarily sign up for this outrage. It violates my rights under our constitution and think of the lawsuits against the USDA and any other party for loss of livelyhoods and property values in the country if the govt. actually carries through with this!
Wouldn’t need the UCLA just an attourney to file a class action suit. I’ mad! Any one else want to join one?
Comment V. S. Chandler — September 20, 2006 @ 2:35 pm
I’ve just shot off leters to my congresswoman. This whol program is so bizarre. It is not going to help. It will just hurt small farmers and even us bigger farmers. I’ve joined RCalf and am voicing my option to them that we need to push harder to stop Nais.
Comment Tara Williamson — October 31, 2006 @ 1:41 am
Now they are requiring kids in FFA and 4-H to register their animals, and of course, their parent’s premises. Hmm, is that just down-right sneaky and underhanded, or is it just me? I know my husband and I are NOT going to register, but I hate to tell my kid that he can’t show his chickens at the little county fair.
(Steam coming out of ears!!!)
Tammy
Comment Tammy — January 6, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
hi im a small hobby famer in michigan the nais program for cattle starts here march 1 2007 unless a miricle occurs.I have been writeing everyone one I can think of and find addresses for my congress critters newspapers and talk radio stations. The only responses I get are thats not my area, I wont publish that or from my congress critter Debbie Stabinaw while working in the house ag committee I understand the problems of small farmers and these will be taken into consideration when these regulations are put into practice. So my question is with all these people and groups against nais why cant we get together and march on the capital.Lets get together and demenstrate like the sitdown strickers to get the unions or something, because writeing in isnt doing diddly, Michigan washington all of the above and then some. Michigan has four weeks before the noose wrapped around our necks gets pulled tight. anyway thanks for your time
[Because I have chores to do, a farm to tend and traveling to Washington, DC is outside my ken. However, you are welcome to organize such a protest. Perhaps a million cow march on the Capitol. BS for the BSers. As to “writing isn’t doing diddly” actually you’re wrong. We’ve been noticed and progress has been made. Keep fighting. Michigan is a particularly tough nut because it was already partially down the slippery slope when NAIS came along. Don’t give up. At this point the big fight is at the state level so do, by all means, fight it in your state. Cheers, -WalterJ]
Comment denise rayner — January 30, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Denise, #39 I feel your pain, it’s no fun waiting for your rights to be taken away. I’m of the opinion that all of us need to continue doing everything we can to educate citizens, legislators etc. and try to prevent Nais in our respective states. I’m also of the opinion just because it might get passed doesn’t mean we have to comply…An “illegal
law” isn’t a law at all. Our rights don’t come from Government, their rights and limitations come from us, the people. We’re getting dangerously close to being ruled on many fronts, all so someone(s) can make money and exercise control over us. That pisses me off, alot.
Unfortunately some of us will be made “examples” of if we defy NAIS regs. etc… Individually we’ll have choices to make….I’ve already made mine. Let’s just say I won’t be ruled. I sense I’m not alone.
Comment Bob Constantine — January 30, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
I just got maligned at the local NAIS meeting for trying to question “the other side.” The USDA talked of agri-terrorism and how a terrorist could throw a poisoned cloth into a field to infect all the cows. I told them I could get meningitis tomorrow, but I shouldn’t just lock myself up in a dark room. They will ultimately mandate, I”m sure, that all “enrolled” have to put up big fences with locks. Most farmers here have barbed wire or electric. I’m sure lobbyists from large pharmas will also push for increases in vaccines and hormones, which will be pushed on those who “enrolled.” In NY, you get automatically enrolled, and if you try to “un-enroll” they ask “are you sure” and make it difficult for you to do it. They know most people won’t take the time. And, if you “un-enroll, they are not going to get rid of the data they have on you.
I feel strongly that the hand-holding and ‘babysittig’ on a federal level will serve to duplicate what already happens on a local and personal level. Those of us with good husbandry skills already vaccinate and take precautions and report problems. Local response is going to be much more responsible and expeditious than that which is possible on a federal level. While the program is touted as “free” and “voluntary” at the moment, many states are starting to yield to pressure and to mandate it, as well as come up with fines for those who don’t comply.
Really, the best way to mitigate the spread of disease is to change the “model” so that cross-state and even cross-country transport of animals is not as prevalent. Push localization so that food is produced and processed close to where it is consumed.
Susana Schwartz
Comment susana schwartz — October 23, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
I appreciate this website immensely. I’ve sent emails to my Senators and intend to send snail mail. Unfortunately, one of them is on the “naughty” list. Grrr… he didn’t get my vote anyway.
I can’t help feeling a deep sense of dread and apprehension about all of this. I feel like my dreams of homesteading are vanishing before my eyes.
The government seems to have gotten way to big for its britches. I only hope there are enough people in positions of authority that will truly listen to the ‘little people’ and not be swayed by big agribusiness.
Some good news…. please!
Comment Dan — February 7, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
#42 Dan - don’t bother sending by snail mail. They will not get it for months. Because of the anthrax scare lo those years ago, snail mail to the feds gets delayed, irradiated, etc before it gets delivered. Better is to make a phone call to them, find out who the ag policy adviser is and talk to that person. Faxes are also effective.
Can you go to the VICFA event in March? You could meet your congresscritters in person.
Comment Henwhisperer — February 7, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
Posted a comment to the NC governer’s office, and got this response. My reply is below it:
*****************************
Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns with regards to the National Animal ID System or NAIS. Let me assure you that domestic pets such as dogs and cats will not be part of any national identification system. As you correctly point out, the focus of the system is on food producing animals. The ability to trace our food source to the farm of origin has become especially important in light of the challenges faced with the seemingly endless news reports of tainted food, recalls and health risks from intentional and accidental contaminates. The growing trend to eat locally produced food, including the “Got To Be NC” program, can take advantage of a proven system of traceability in promoting our North Carolina products and the many farms that produce those products.
Another focus of the national identification system that closely relates to traceability is the ability to quickly identify, locate, and eradicate disease in our livestock populations. The more rapid the response the more quickly we can return to our everyday practices that involve animal agriculture. Although horses are used for a variety of non-food purposes in this country, they none-the-less can pose disease risks, especially when involved in activities where there are large numbers and come from wide regions of this country and abroad. The horse industry has recently demanded traceability in such diseases as EHV-1 and Contagious Equine Metritis, where the mobile nature of the equine industry transports the potential for serious and foreign animal diseases throughout the country in a short period of time with devastating economic and health effects.
We realize that “we’re from the government and we’re here to help” does not create a sense of security in most people. Yet the purpose behind a uniform, national animal identification program of providing a rapid response to any disaster or disease outbreak that is necessary maintain the strength and viability of animal agriculture is more crucial today than ever before. I would encourage you to take the time to go beyond the emotional driven rhetoric of the anti-NAIS crowd and investigate the system that is gaining widespread approval and acceptance around the world and in our state and nation. At NCDA&CS we believe that NAIS truly promotes animal health, food safety and human health, and so do almost 13,000 fellow North Carolinians who have registered the farms and premises.
Tom Ray, DVM, MPH
Director of Animal Health Programs-Livestock
NCDA&CS, Veterinary Division
****************************
My Reply
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Mr. Ray -
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my concerns regarding the proposed NAIS legislation. I really appreciate your response, but I still strongly disagree with this legislation, or at least with the way it is currently written. Not due to emotionally driven rhetoric, but just plain facts. Conversely, the public food supply contamination news stories you refer to seem to fuel more emotionally driven rhetoric than factual discussion about NAIS. Below are some facts that I feel deserve futher review, before the NAIS legislation should be seriously considered.
1) You say “The ability to trace our food source to the farm of origin has become especially important in light of the challenges faced with the seemingly endless news reports of tainted food, recalls and health risks from intentional and accidental contaminates.”. I honestly do not see how the NAIS legislation helps prevent this tainted food, as most of the tainted food recalls were due to food becoming tainted AFTER THEY LEFT THE FARM, and tracing the contamination back to the farm seems a waste of time. Isn’t there a mechanism already in place (USDA inspections of slaugherhouses) that is supposed to stop contaminated foods from entering the US food supply? By instituting redundant government programs, isn’t this a waste of the taxpayer’s money?
2) I do not see the purpose of the NAIS legislation (as it is currently written) and how it applies to small local farmers that sell directly to the public. When a farmer sells an animal to a customer, there is no need for “farm of origin” tracing. The consumer knows where the animal came from, and if there is a problem with the animal, the consumer knows where to go. The NAIS legislation really seems to be aimed at large corporate farms, and is too much of a “one size fits all” attempt of a solution.
3) As a food producer myself, we raise a large amount of our family’s food; such as eggs and meat, not to sell, but to consume in our home. The way the NAIS legislation is currently written would require our family to register our home with the government as a farm, obtain a Premise ID, and pay all the associated fees and use taxes. It would also require the filling out of government forms any time there is a birth, death, attack by coyote, etc., and pay a fee each time a form is submitted. As the food my family raises is for home consumption, and never enters the public food supply, I do not see how thusly applying the NAIS legislation protects the public. Our family has made the choice to raise our own food, and we feel confident that the food that we raise is just as safe and healthy, if not more so, than food purchased at the store. We do not feel it necessary to have the government monitor, inspect, or otherwise interfere with the way that produce our food, especially if in means that we foot the bill for the government’s “help”.
I feel that the NAIS legislation is not being written with the small farmer, or home food producer in mind. It appears to me that large corporate farms would be the benefactor, and the legislation would hinder, or possibly even prevent small-scale agriculture. By including home food producers, and small, direct-to-the-public farms in the NAIS legislation, it appears that the federal government is attempting to invade the privacy of its citizens, and subject them to unnecessary regulation. I urge you to push for exemptions for the 2 groups above, and further examine the NAIS legislation.
Comment Matt Baldwin — March 27, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Great response! I especially like the part of the state vet’s letter where he says, “We realize that “we’re from the government and we’re here to help” does not create a sense of security in most people. Yet the purpose……”
IOW, they still expect us to trust them after all the lies and coercion.
I’ve noticed also that most official references to the opposition like to refer to us as emotional. Well, yeah, when someone plans to destroy what I’ve worked for, I tend to get a bit upset. OTOH, the bureaucrats who legislate from above have no reason to be emotionally invested in the disaster they are creating.
I’m sure the Holocaust victims were more emotional than the Nazis that were just following orders. Did that make the victims wrong?
Comment Barbara — March 28, 2009 @ 6:37 am
matt,the state vet shows you in his letter that sent you that animal id is a global thing not just a america thing.the trouble with all of this that the pro nais people and groups are to stupid to see the thing that will happen if and when animal id becomes mandatory. when all the governments come to collect the hudge debt we( USofA)owe them they will have no problem finding the livestock .just a thought
Comment nick — March 28, 2009 @ 8:38 am