More listening sessions have been scheduled by the USDA regarding the proposed National Animal Identification System.
SUMMARY: This is a notice to inform the public of seven upcoming
meetings to discuss stakeholder concerns related to the implementation
of the National Animal Identification System. The meetings are being
organized by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.DATES: The meetings will be held on
June 9, 11, 16, 18, 25, and 27, 2009,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held in
Jefferson City, MO (June 9),
Rapid City, SD (June 11),
Albuquerque, NM (June 16),
Riverside, CA (June 18),
Raleigh, NC (June 25), and
Jasper, FL (June 27).FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Adam Grow, Director, Surveillance and Identification Programs, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737; 301-734-3752.
-Federal Registry
If you can’t make it in person, go to the USDA web site and leave feedback.
Hat tip to Mary & Sharon.
Will Rep. DeLauro be attending the May 27 listening session in Connecticut?
Storrs, Connecticut
University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus-Bishop Center
It certainly would be an excellent opportunity for her to hear from us directly.
Contact numbers for Rep. DeLauro:
Phone: 202-225-3661
Fax: 202-225-4890
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who chairs the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee that approves the funding, seems to also be losing patience.
Link
“I have long been a supporter of a mandatory animal ID program,” emphasizes DeLauro (D-CT). “However, I continue to be concerned and frustrated by the seemingly slow and expensive progress on implementing an effective animal ID system in this country. Over the past five years taxpayers will have given USDA approximately $142 million for the national animal ID program with virtually nothing to show for it.”
Comment Ann — May 24, 2009 @ 9:12 am
THIS JUST IN FROM ANOTHER LIST. I cut and pasted it here….
“LOL! Even a “big believer in using radio frequency identification
technologies to secure the food chain” writes that the NAIS is not going to
work!!! Apparantly RFID manufacturers want healthy animals and safe food too
and the NAIS is NOT GOING TO WORK….!!!!!
This is a good article to give to people who think the government has their
best interest in mind. If the RFID manufacturer’s whom many have accused of
across-the-board backing of NAIS say it needs to be scrapped people should
be paying attention. They actually offer an alternative, it’s voluntary and
workable.”
text
Comment esbee — May 25, 2009 @ 5:26 am
if and when one or more of us happens to get on the agenda of one of these whisper meetings we must remember, DONT HELP THEM (USDA} by telling them how nais could be made better,unless it is to tell them DUMP THE PROGRAM.stand your ground,dont weaken,they want you to tell them how you think nais could work .just tell them,IT WONT.
Comment nick — May 25, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
On this Memorial Day, a poem to remember those who bought our freedom with the highest price to be paid and why we must fight NAIS and other similar programs so as not to bring shame to their memories.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae, 1915
Comment esbee — May 25, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
Hammerschmidt - Comingle in commerce.
From Hammerschmidt:
“In most of those cases, those animals wouldn’t be part of the focus of NAIS. We’re looking at animals that move in commerce.
“If I have fix, six, a dozen chickens in my backyard for my own purposes — eggs, eating the chickens — they aren’t moved into commerce so aren’t applicable for NAIS. They aren’t moving off the premises and comingled with others.
“Bottom line: no, those animals don’t need to be identified whether a chicken or a calf I’ve raised for my
own consumption and processed at a local slaughtering plant.”
Link
A state veterinarian at the Austin session also said this about co-mingling in commerce, but did confirm that the purchase of any replacement chicks (or calves) would be considered commerce.
As far as I can tell the NAIS business plan did not mention this.
Comment Ann — May 26, 2009 @ 11:43 am
The key word is commingling. Commerce has nothing to do with it. Horse shows have a lot of commingling, but rarely does anyone sell a horse there.
Comment Barbara — May 26, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Well said Nick, when we make our comments at the USDA site, be sure to stress that we will not comply, never! Being firm in our opposition is probably our only hope of stopping NAIS, because the USDA is sure not listening to reason.
Ann, where will you get your cattle processed when the local butcher shop will be required to get your premises id number? According to USDA documents you will need a premises id to even have a dead critter carted off for rendering.
Comment eileen — May 27, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
We also need to remind USDA that not only won’t we comply, but that they are forcing us to forgo testing and vaccinations by tying premise ID to it. They will make things worse than they are now if they continue on this course.
Comment Barbara — May 27, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
Barbara,
” where will you get your cattle processed when the local butcher shop will be required to get your premises id number?”
I was told that local processing for personal use or to sell direct to a consumer would not be part of NAIS - but I do realize that pro-NAIS folks tend to make things up as it suits their needs. That statement did not come from the USDA.
I wanted to make people aware of the change in words from co-mingle to co-mingle in commerce.
Comment Ann — May 28, 2009 @ 7:28 am
According to the last USDA NAIS proposed rules that I have read, the only exemption would be if the animal never left your property. It would not be able to travel to the processor, or rendering without premises id.
Beware, when the government is involved, especially the USDA,
“Subject to Change” always applies.
Comment eileen — May 28, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
Last year our steer was refused from the local packer we have used for 7 years. Why? IPP have “requested” that all livestock which enter for slaughter no matter if private have a Premises ID.
We made other arrangements, but many people cannot.
Comment Mrs. Michael Sabo — May 28, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
It has truly been inspiring to listen to the comments made by concerned patriots against NAIS in the youtube videos. Keep up the good work and God bless and give you strength.
Comment esbee — May 31, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
I can’t figure out how to post on the feedback site. I can get there and read the comments, but am not sure how to post. Can somebody help me?
Thanks
Sarah in Illinois
[Sarah, The link above takes you to the USDA NAIS page. From there click on the “Submit your comments and potential solutions” link in the middle of their page. That takes you to the Regulations page. Along the right side of the page are yellow links. Just click one of those to leave a comment. Fill out the form. Note that some fields indicated with an star are mandatory. Then click the “Next Step” button/link at the bottom of the page. This will take you to a confirmation page. You must press the submit button/link at the bottom to actually submit your comments. Lots of hurdles in the way of them hearing your voice but be persistent. -WJ]
Comment Sarah — June 1, 2009 @ 8:21 am