Forwarded from NAIS Stinks:
Dec. 4 Deadline for USDA Comments
December 2, 2009 Editor — Brad Headtel, National Assn. of Farm Animal Welfare.
Ag.Ed@nafaw.org
Cattle raisers across the nation are allowed only a few hours to submit comments about changes in the bovine tuberculosis (TB) program. The deadline for submission is Friday, Dec. 4. Opposition to this new enforcement is offered a comment period, but very little time to respond.
The Notice of Availability of a Bovine Tuberculosis Program Concept Paper was posted in the Oct. 5 Federal Register for those carefully hunting each new government action in the fine print
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking comments to change the cooperative federal-state-industry effort to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from cattle in the United States. Since the program’s inception in 1917, significant progress has been made, and TB is almost eradicated. However, several challenges impede eradication including the refusal of state and federal wildlife herds and their lack of health management.
Cattlemen have expressed concern that this program may lead to the implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). USDA uses a number of quasi health issues to invoke mandatory NAIS. This appears to be one opportunity for a segment mandatory enforcement. The Sec of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack authorized listening sessions to review opinions about NAIS during the past Summer. Over 95% of respondents opposed any type of NAIS tax or enforcement. This poorly thought-out USDA concept is not popular among any livestock producers, in any form.
To submit comments electronically, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Search for the docket using the keyword “APHIS-2009-0073.”
Comments can also be sent by mail. Send two copies of your comments to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0073, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
A few links that may be helpful:
FARFA’s comments
A direct link to the Federal Register online section for the
TB Concept Paper
There’s also a similar “Concept Paper” for
bovine brucellosis
You can comment on both Concept Papers. Or, if you don’t have time, comment on one of them and state, at the very beginning, that your comments are intended for both Docket No. APHIS-2009-0073 and APHIS-2009-0006.
Comment Judith — December 2, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
I appreciate all that Judith and others like her who are fighting NAIS do as it is not an easy task, this NAIS tsunami. I have commented on one of these and since 2006 have left comments everywhere I can including calling Wisconsin about their persecuting the amish over resisting NAIS(they hung up on me) and calling many state ag depts. The USDA knows full well how many oppose NAIS but what good does it really do to leave comments? I know it is a record but just like the USDA said even after the many USDA (non)listening sessions this summer their statement was that they saw “substantial support” for NAIS. So you know these bull-headed jackasses are intent on pushing NAIS through. Interesting how Russia once had the largest dept store in the world. It was called Gumm. Never mind that it was mostly empty, ofered little in the way of things to buy, the communist political machine ignored that fact, but kept emphasizing that it was the “biggest” in the world. That is NAIS, big but empty.
Comment esbee — December 3, 2009 @ 7:02 am
Hello–
I was wondering — why not put this website on Facebook? Might be a great way to get the word out about NAIS! Maybe create something of a “fan page” of this website on Facebook. Facebook connects with over 135 million people! And it is free! Just a thought. (Or ARE you on Facebook?)
[Go for it, John. Please, feel free to use the information, articles, etc on NoNAIS.org to fight to protect our traditional rights to farm in what ever venue you can. -WJ]
Comment John Sherrer — December 5, 2009 @ 11:24 pm