To the
Editor
.
Most of us small
farmers are just finding out about the National Animal Identification plan or
NAIS as it is being called. I'm referring to the USDA draft plan which can be
seen on the USDA website along with the technical supplement that describes
the computer coding and requirements of reporting and such. When you read it,
you realize what Farm Bureau has planned for all of our horses, cattle and
sheep, 27 species of animals in all.
Our animals are to be
micro-chipped, processed, computerized, and verified. They are to be
reported when they are born, sold, die, and relocated, all within 24 hours
of the ''event.'' There is even a code for turning in your neighbor if you see
he isn't complying with the program! Every time you trail-ride with your friends
you are required to report where you went. Think I'm kidding? Read the plan. We
have yet to be told the cost of the tags, databases, tag readers, computers and
computer programs. How many people do you think will be required to handle the
data on all of this information?
This ID plan begins as a ''Voluntary''
system and then moves to ''mandatory, with enforcement''. Several states have
already gone mandatory with animal ID. The first step is the registering of your
''Premise'' and getting a premise number. In January of 2008 all animals will be
required to be electronically ID'd, and in January 2009, all movements of such
animals will be mandatory according to the plan. Secretary of Agriculture
Johannes said in his April 6, 2006 teleconference that this system wouldn't need
to be made mandatory if 100% of livestock owners comply with every piece of this
draft plan. He also claims that he has been authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill to
implement a mandatory system and that no further votes or congressional action
are required to make this system mandatory! You can read this on the USDA site
also. Click on the news conferences link.
Where did this come
from you ask? Because of 911? Terrorists? Disease control? In 1994 there was an
organization called the Livestock Conservation Institute, or
LCI. This meeting was attended by Ken Olson from American Farm Bureau, Beth
Lautner, National Pork Producers Council, Neil Hammerschmidt, Holstein
Association and currently the number two man in USDA, also Fred Bower,
International Llama Registry, Chuck Sattler, National Association of Animal
Breeders, also eartag and electronics manufactures Magtag, Allflex, Trace-em, as
well as the USDA, starring John Weimers, and others. Ninety percent of
those present said they wanted a national Identification system for economic
reasons. The transcripts of this meeting show that it was determined at that
time that the system must be mandatory, it must be standardized, it must be
computer chips, and it must be a unique number for each animal.
Remember, this was 1994!
This organization was later re-named
the NIAA, the National
Institute of Animal Agriculture [www.animalagriculture.org] NIAA’s membership
includes 13 state Farm Bureau Associations, American Farm Bureau, The American
Association of Equine Practitioners, American Horse Council, as well as Cargill,
Elanco, DFA, Monsanto, Pfizer, Schering-Plough Animal Health.
The membership also
includes the USDA, American
Veterinary Medical Association, Association of American Veterinary Medical
Colleges, Livestock Marketing Association, National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture, and numerous state departments of
Agriculture.
Additionally, the
following ear tag and electronics manufactures are members, Allflex USA,
Inc, Bloodhound Animal Identification Systems, Digital Angel and Electronics ID
Inc, E-merge Interactive, Inc, EZ ID Systems, National Brand and Tag company,
Optibrand Ltd.,LLC, Science Applications International Corporation, the list
goes on and on. [See the full list on their website.] As you can see this is a
real cozy club of the big Ag organizations, big corporate interests, and the
regulators. Where were the small producers at these
meetings?
As you can see, the agencies have conspired together when
they developed this system. Millions of dollars are currently being handed out
to animal organizations across the country promising big bucks for handling the
data bases. Don't be fooled when they tell you this isn't so. The draft plan was
entered into the Federal Register and has never been replaced or removed. Ask
for documentation from those that disagree with what I have said here. Ask them
what they are basing their statements on.
After several public
meetings in Missouri, USDA and the State Vets won't even show up anymore because
they look so bad when challenged with the documents. A Missouri Farm Bureau
State board member showed up at the last public meeting in Belle Missouri in
August but when I asked the crowd to raise their hand if Farm Bureau needs to do
a 180-degree turnaround on this issue all the hands went up. Farm Bureau has
covered up the truth about this system to their membership, as have many other
organizations.
Missouri Farm Bureau
told the USDA last year in a letter dated July 6, 2005 and signed by
President Kruse [contrary to Missouri FB policy at that time]
that;
They
believe a Mandatory System will ultimately be necessary.
Producers would be willing to pay a fee.... for tagging
Both
seller and buyer should report animal movements
Animals [should] be identified prior to entering commerce or being
commingled
The
suggested timeline for implementing NAIS is
realistic
Missouri Farm Bureau
President Charles Kruse is also on the American Farm Bureau Board that does
favor a MANDATORY System.
The NAIS will suck billions from the pockets of producers over the next
several years unless it is stopped. This can be stopped if we get our
legislators to refuse to implement this program on the state level. The states
must stop taking money from the Federal Government for this program! This will
be devastating for the last of our independent small farmers and ranchers as
they struggle to remain viable. This is a violation of our constitution. This is
a violation of our freedom. This is a violation of all that we in the country
hold dear, and it must be stopped!
Bob Parker and his wife
Karen have farmed in Missouri since 1977. They continue to run registered
Corriente cattle on their 700 acre farm near Raymondville, Missouri. Bob
has served on the Texas County Farm Bureau board for many years and continues to
travel across Missouri and Arkansas speaking at public meetings about the
National Animal Identification System.
Bob can be reached
at Bob@bakerealty.com