PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: NOV. 30, 2006
CONTACT: RICHARD BEAN 434.263.8704
RE: INCOMING AG. CHAIR PETERSON DEMANDS MANDATORY NATIONAL ANIMAL ID; SAYS VOLUNTARY PROGRAM “SCREWED UP”
Minnesota’s Peterson Wants Immediate Mandatory National Animal ID
The Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (VICFA) reports that incoming House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) wants an immediate mandatory National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Peterson has long supported a mandatory NAIS.
Minnesota’s Sauk Centre Herald writes that Peterson finds the USDA’s current approach to a voluntary NAIS “screwed up” and Peterson “strongly believes the government needs to set the rules and require standardization.”
Recent election results showed voter displeasure with the corrupting influence of large corporations on legislators, yet under Peterson’s NAIS, large corporations would benefit at the expense all livestock producers. Minnesota based Digital Angel, manufacturers of a radio frequency ID (RFID) animal tracking device approved by the USDA for NAIS, stands to reap a windfall.
Peterson’s NAIS will be an expensive, unnecessary program requiring all livestock owners to register their premises and tag every animal to ensure the government can trace an animal back to its premises of origin. The resulting huge database of personal information will be accessible to government agencies and foreign governments.
NAIS also amounts to a new tax on livestock producers, falling more heavily on smaller producers who must tag individual animals while large operations may use a cheaper group identification number.
Supporters of the program claim that it will open up foreign markets to U.S. livestock producers. VICFA President Richard Bean counters, “If the market wants such a program, then the market will create the program. We do not need the government forcing this discriminatory program on producers who will gain nothing from it, but will lose their ability to produce locally grown wholesome food for their customers. This program has the potential to destroy the sustainable agriculture and local food movement at the very moment that consumers are clamoring for our products. This will have a devastating impact on rural economies that are just starting to regain their health after years of governmental programs and regulations that have all but destroyed the traditional family farm.”
VICFA calls on Rep. Peterson and all of Congress to stop this threat to rural freedom and rural economies by ensuring that no federal funds be spent to implement this program.
Storm Alert
Representative Colin Peterson’s web site
Send an e-mail to Peterson (56258 is a valid zip code for his form)
Telephone Peterson and tell him what you think…
Washington, DC (202) 225-2165
Detroit Lakes (218) 847-5056
Marshall (507) 537-2299
Montevideo (320) 269-8888
Red Lake Falls (218) 253-4356
Redwood Falls (507) 637-2270
Fax Peterson at (202) 225-1593
This alert is not just for peopel from Minnesota. Colin Peterson is in a major position of power in the House Ag Committee affecting all of us. He represents You and I from ever single state. His bad ideas will hurt us all. Contact him…
Could this position of Peterson’s be a ruse to get anti-NAISers to think the USDA’s new “voluntary” program is the best deal we can get, and we should support that, even though we know that it can creep into mandatory. Maybe it is the good cop/bad cop strategy. I still prefer to believe we are making a greater difference than we think, while still being on my guard and contacting everyone I can.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — November 30, 2006 @ 5:15 pm
Good thing Peterson is a Senator or he would have to fall under the less corrupt congress idea that the house is sworn to be doing - perhaps??? Wonder if he will disclose campaign contributions, if any, from Digital Angel? Hmmmm?
Peterson sponsored mandatory NAIS legislationin both 108th and 109th congress. It appears on his website that there were fewer cosponsors in the 109th.
Peterson only accepts e-mail from his own constituents, so you have to contact him via regular mail (or FAX). I’d think that a chairman or chairman elect would open his mail to the country since rightfully he now represents us all - and should listen.
Cheers, Charley
[Click the email link I provided above and enter a valid MN zip code like the one I provided above and the web form will work. -WalterJ]
Comment Charles Thurber — November 30, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
Do I have this right? Rep. Peterson thinks the USDA has screwed-up voluntary NAIS, and his solution is to make the USDA do a mandatory version of it. Whenever I read about a congressman reaching an obviously illogical conclusion to a problem it really does make me wonder about how much money is passing under the table.
Comment Ann Nelson — November 30, 2006 @ 7:27 pm
I think our fingers are getting ahead of us here. Last I knew, Mr. Peterson is a member of the House of Representatives, not the Senate. No offense meant. Just wanted to point that out, before any more of us make the mistake of calling him “Senator.”
God Bless
Comment Goatman — November 30, 2006 @ 8:25 pm
…let me get this straight. First it was “voluntary can mean mandatory” if we say it
does (USDA) , then about a week ago it ws “oh it’s going to stay voluntary” Now our incoming House Agriculture Committee Chair (Colin Peterson) is “demanding” NAIS be made mandatory…hmmm wonder if he has a “mandate from the people” to implement this? Or has his hat size grown in recent weeks so much he doesn’t need to listen to us peons? Now kids, (USDA and Peterson) don’t fight over who gets to jam it up our butts first, stand in line and you can both have a turn stealing our rights and don’t worry there will be enough “reward money” so everybody can get some! Well I guess I’m just a kook that’s “out there” but I can smell a rat, maybe a couple of them…I sent Colin Peterson an e-mail, tomorrow he gets a phone call, I HOPE FROM ALL OF US…Sorry to be so ticked, I’ve just got this quaint notion that government should be “of the people, by the people, for the people” I know. I know I’ve got to stop that kind of thought in these “dangerous times” and stand in line and drink the kool aid and bless my government for taking care of me…thank you big brother, for “protecting me” How did our country survive so long without NAIS!!? Please strip me of all my rights because you know whats best for me…
Comment Bob Constantine — November 30, 2006 @ 9:50 pm
we now will be fighting 52 battles (each with our own state),which will make it much harder and the feds at the national level. we will need help to carry on with this fight.there is help available ,we just need to join a group. if you are interested in knowing what group that might be,just leave a message for myself or the texas goat gal , we both know a group that has ties in most states and at the fed level also. help me out texas goat gal
Comment nick lecompte — November 30, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
I don’t think 52 battles is more difficult….I say this because we have much more potential contact with our state reps than we do with the federal level reps. It always was designed to be implemented by the states with the Feds backing it up. If we can get a block of states with a large amount of ag production to pass similar legislation we can have a defacto injunction against it.
We do still have to be concerned about the feds, though. peterson sent a rep to a NAIS meeting in Farmington who said that when asked about NAIS he “hated it, hated it, hated it!” I thought it was bunk then, and I think it’s bunk now. Peterson needs to hear from all of us.
All I see the Useless Guide doing is making it more certain that we have to fight at the state level diligently.
We have to fight this on every level. It isn’t hyperbole to say that we are in a fight for our lives. We have to remember that and let them know that is how seriously we are opposed to this program.
Comment doreen — December 1, 2006 @ 7:22 am
rick or texas goat gal…if you know of a group in west virgina let me know. i can’t find anyone here. been posting, talking, calling, emailing… no one around here wants to get involved.
Comment cindy g — December 1, 2006 @ 9:19 am
Has anyone seen Progressive Farmer Dec2006 / Jan2007, quick takes page 44? There it states that Mandatory Animal ID coming Jan 1, 2009.
This statement is quit contrary to the latest USDA published documents and the discussions here in the forum.
Do they know something that we do not? Or does this mean that we need to fight harder?
I wonder if this is just a trick article to get folks to register for the Premise ID number (PIN). Any thoughts?
Comment kerby — December 1, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
Its been a year since I found out that NAIS was not just a bad joke going around but that it was in fact a real threat. In that time I have seen it go from “absolutly will happen”, no exceptions, to “maybe voluntary” to state implimented back to fed voluntary and back again, its no wonder folks lose track of what the scoop of the week is. Every other week there is a new idea on the table which will be changed in another week or two. I believe the purpose is to keep all the folks running in circles chasing their tails so to speak and keeping them slightly off balance. I believe we must be careful not to give them too much power over us by “reacting” and trying to figure out what they are “really” saying every time they say something as the bottom line is still, they want this program and we are saying “No way” we must not ever let them think we will barter with them over this thing as there is just no way to give up liberty for a little bit of so called security and not have the big dog come back for more when he gets hungry again, no, we kick him in the teeth and then in the tail when he turns around and we make him know theres more where that came from if he comes back. As Texas Goat Gal alluded to earlier, we are making a difference, any of you who have been involved in this from the begining can remember how futile it seemed, every one you talked to looked at you like you sprouted horns and flew through the air when you told them about NAIS or any of the state plans that were out there, (some still do),but more and more folks are finding out about this thing and USDA/AGRIBIZ is having fits over the resistance they are encountering. A few weeks ago I talked face to face with PA Ag Sec Wolfe and that was one of his comments (as I posted here several weeks ago) and that was that he was taken aback by the amount of resistance he was seeing come out against this whole thing. A year ago it seemed we were doomed to have to endure this NAIS now some things have changed and it is not so cut and dried of an answer. We will not likely beat this thing by next Thursday at 3pm, it has been in the works for nearly 20 years by our “friends” at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture and the Farm Bureau( some local ones are now coming out against NAIS) as well as many animal vet groups, international regulatory groups and many of our favorite animal species groups that we have joined and supported with our dues and memberships.These groups have a lot of time and cash tied up in this program, not to mention their dreams of power over agriculture that they have nursed for years they are not going to roll over and die just because we are fighting them, both sides have a lot to lose, but we have more to lose, so not fighting is not an option, we must continue,we have right on our side, that is natural rights and those enumerated in our Constitution and Bill of Rights,I read recently where a judge threw out some more of that UN- Patriot act that helped give them a means to impliment this whole mess to begin with lets hope the whole freaking thing is thrown out as well as a lot more unpatriotic politicians and others who have taken it upon themselves to try to “rule” the American people rather than serve them. I have to believe we will cause
them to have to try to compromise with us rather then us doing so with them, but one must look at the whole picture and not just at todays headline to see that.I know that I tend to be like a cheerleader sometimes but I don’t want folks to get weary and give up and God knows there have been times I wondered if any of this was all worth it(IT IS),I am not a public type person and I do not like to have to talk to politicians and others and feel like I am standing there with my hat in my hand asking them to please have mercy on us and defend the Constitution from all its enemies foreign and DOMESTIC which may include them, I’m just not made that way I prefer to tell them how its going to be and to plant a boot up their rear if they don’t comply, but unfortunatly we live in a time where we must work with our enemies to reach a concensous and to try to see to it that everybody wins and no one goes away with their feelys hurt(DRIPPING SARCASIM),and while I understand that, I also know that each of us must draw a line that we will not cross or allow them to cross and then stand firm,it may hurt and it may cost us somthing, but what else is there but to live as a slave and accept the crumbs from our masters table and that is somthing I refuse to consider, sorry no compromise!In the last year we have all come together here and been able to help each other and teach each other, think of all the people and groups that are fighting this thing who have come out in the last year, we have this site,thank to Walter and his family, and all related groups, we have Mary Z. and all she is doing, we have the Grannie Warriors and many others who are coming together from all over the country, all doing what we can in our own areas but interlinking and forming a fabric that stretches acrossed this nation and is making the USDA/AGRIBIZ/STATE AG people sit up and take notice. So as we go through this holiday season lets look around us and realize that we are not fighting this thing alone but with the support and prayers of many many folks most of whom will never meet but who share a love for life and liberty that has brought them together and will see them through to the final victory.Thanks!
Comment LEE — December 1, 2006 @ 7:12 pm
Kerby,
It probably just went to press with the latest news at that time that is now outdated - not that I believe anything from the USDA anyway.
That is the problem with manipulators. You are always wondering what the real truth and ultimate agenda is.
Comment Mary Beth — December 1, 2006 @ 11:13 pm
cindy g.,the group that i know may or may not have a chapter in your state,but if you will call 1-800-973-3108 they will be more than happy to asist you. this group is anti mandatory nais,and have people already in washington,they work hard at what they do and get things done.
Comment nick lecompte — December 2, 2006 @ 10:39 pm
doreen,the reasons it will be harder to fight 52 fights is: divide and conquer,the states can not and will not say no to the money.the feds will put pressure,lots of pressure on each state to take the ball and run with it,and the money will keep comming. mean while back at the fed,the big meatpackers,chip makers,tag companies,ect, ect, will put hudge pressures on the usda to get the program in place,reason being these companies have put millions of dollars into this program and they will lose millions more if this program fails. money is what it is about
Comment nick lecompte — December 2, 2006 @ 11:35 pm
Excellent press for us can be found here: link
Comment Henwhisperer — December 5, 2006 @ 8:25 am
Check out Iowa Farmer Today for many articles regarding NAIS, including a December 7 interview with Johanns, “Animal ID Moving Forward”. In the search box, I used “animal identification”, plus there is a NAIS article on the homepage right now.
link
Comment Texas Goat Gal — December 9, 2006 @ 4:44 pm
Get a pair of vice grips for signing up your premises.
Howdo all:)
Listening to Derry 8 Dec I learned that there is provision to give gifts(up to $12 in value) with the Cooperative Agreement moneys.
I would urge all to download the 8ths mp3. It was very informative(regarding the two recent USDA NAIS releases), and Russell Wood called in and stayed till the end. Granted Mr Wood is talking about his meetings with Missouri Ag Dept officials, but I am certain you will find it instructive as related to your state.
derrybrownfield.com
Mr Brownfield regularly covers NAIS and he is completely against it, both voluntary and mandatory.
Mr Wood closed with the plea that people contact their state Ag Dept, urging them to refuse USDA cooperative funds.
respects
Comment Mr Dirty Nails — December 10, 2006 @ 10:33 am
Honorable Rep. Peterson,
Dear Sir,
be it known that I together with a majority in this land absolutely am opposed to this plan for animal ID. Thank you for hearing our voice out here around the nation and showing us that you are there to serve we
the people. Thank you for your consideration on this most important issue.
Rose Lance Mt.
Comment R. Lance — January 1, 2007 @ 11:58 pm