No Mandatory Animal ID

It looks to me like more and more people are waking up to the threat Nais means to us all. In Alabama a candidate for Governor is speaking out against NAIS and in Tennessee a lawmaker is fighting the Governor and administration to stop NAIS and go with the more sensible metal tag herd ID. This would be like the present Bangs tag and identify a cow to a herd. New herd, add another tag. Easy, no muss, no fuss. Traceable if necessary for BSE or any other disease.

The problem with this idea in most people's minds? It's not "high-tech." It's a simple idea all ready in use which could be adapted at low cost for herd ID. The right solution for the right problem.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it sure brings interesting ideas to the front burner.

A while ago I talked about the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) circulating petitions in opposition to NAIS. I just heard from Carrie Stadheim Executive Director of the SDSGA on this issue and wanted to share some interesting information that was passed on to me.

It seems that after the SDSGA launched it's petiton drive the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, the paper from the largest city in South Dakota, chastised the SDSGA for circulating these petitions. I would be more than happy to link the editorial if the Argus Leader allowed it but they seem to have a policy that you have to pay for articles older than 7 days from the present so I can't link it. I will provide the text of the editorial here in it's entirity, as given to me, unedited for all to see.

Article Published: 03/4/06, 3:42 am

Forget the petitions.
(by: Sioux Falls Argus Leader Editorial Board)

A national livestock ID system is coming, and we need it - regardless what the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association says.

The association is gathering signatures on a petition to oppose the program.

"We've got the ability to track our livestock right now. Why in the world would our government want to impose the most burdensome and expensive mandate upon the most independent and low-profit segment of the beef supply chain, the cattle producer?" asked Kenny Fox of Belvidere, chairman of the association's Animal ID Committee.

Having the "ability" and doing it can be two different things. The tracking system is akin to Gov. Mike Rounds' South Dakota Certified Beef program - which seeks to prove to everyone that our beef is produced in a certain way and that we know its origin.

This isn't about expensive mandates. It's about mad cow disease and proving to everyone - especially foreign buyers - that we know what's going on with our livestock.

If we already were doing everything we could, there wouldn't be widespread support for this across the country. Support from consumers, if not producers.

We're going to have a national ID program. The only question is what form it will take.

This petition is stirring producers up, when there's not a prayer of it accomplishing anything.

SDSGA responded to the paper with a letter of thier own but at this time the Argus Leader has seen unfit to print the response. I post it here for all to read and enjoy.

Our Response:
Dear Editors,

I received your recent editorial about animal id via e-mail.

I’m curious what makes your editorial board so knowledgeable regarding the U.S. cattle industry’s “needs.” (“A national livestock ID system is coming, and we need it - regardless what the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association says.”) After all – our members are ranchers who make a living raising cattle – what expertise do your editors claim in cattle production?

Producers from Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and all over South Dakota are circulating petitions. Obviously they believe the proposed id program brings with it more costs than benefits.

You mention that having the ability to track cattle and actually doing it are two different things. You’re right, but obviously the two are not mutually exclusive. It just so happens that brand inspection areas such as Western South Dakota are not only capable of tracking our cattle, we ARE DOING it already. Every day. We record movement of cattle every time they change ownership or travel outside of Western South Dakota. In fact, when Canada discovered their very first case of BSE, the Montana Department of Livestock contacted our chief brand inspector about some bulls that had been sold from Canada into Montana, and subsequently into South Dakota. The bulls were half brothers to the infected cow. Within about three hours, our chief brand inspector called the Montana department back with full details about the movements of each bull, all the way to slaughter. And the Governor of Montana commended him with a personal letter of thanks.

Tattoos are another nearly permanent and very low-cost method of identification. Several states still require brucellosis tags and tattoos on breeding stock, and while S.D. is not one of those states, a good share of S.D. producers bangs vaccinate, tag and tattoo their breeding herd - yet another tracking system already in existence.

I hate to burst your bubble, but sticking a tag in an animal’s ear DOES NOT provide any sort of assurance of quality or animal health. Industry integrity and profitability all the way from the producer to the retailer, is the ONLY thing that can provide that assurance. Contrary to the boasts made by supporters of the NAIS, tags can be cut out, lost and tampered with. A brand is forever.

You say that this is about proving to foreign customers that “we know what’s going on with our livestock.” How does a tag prove that? Obviously USDA has tainted our credibility with Japan by allowing shipment of bone-in beef. This had absolutely nothing to do with the presence or absence of a tag, and everything to do with a lackadaisical agency who is a “watchdog” only when it’s convenient and politically acceptable to the multinational food companies.

And I’d like to see proof of your alleged “support from consumers” for a mandatory animal id system. Our organization has yet to talk to a consumer who would feel safer buying beef from a steer that lived its life with a computer chip in its ear. You might not be aware that the proposed national animal id program is not intended to provide one shred of information to consumers. No farm, state or country of origin labeling information. Nothing. Consumers would still be unable to identify whether the hamburger in their grocery cart bearing that same old USDA stamp is a product of Canada, Japan, Mexico, Ecuador or all of the above.

Consumers have teamed up with grassroots producers to lobby diligently for mandatory country of origin labeling, yet have been out-dollared and out-maneuvered by the meat packing giants and their pocket politicians. The reader responses on your website regarding this issue indicate that consumers want country of origin labeling, not necessarily animal id.

I maintain that the only supporters of an unnecessary mandatory animal identification program are the companies who stand to sell billions of dollars worth of equipment, the USDA who wants a feather in their cap by deceptively claiming that they are somehow “managing disease” and the large meatpacking companies who want ever more information about the location, age and number of livestock worldwide to give them more control over the market.

If the USDA would protect our borders from unsafe imports of beef and cattle, the threat of a disease outbreak would substantially decline.

I look forward to continued correspondence,

Kenny Fox

It sure seems like the Editorial Staff of the Argus Leader got their hand slapped hard on this one. Probably why they won't print the response.

The SDSGA is taking the right tack on the NAIS. Fight it and fight it hard. Don't be afraid to come out swinging. I applaud them and hope more orginazations take the same tack.

An eartag never stopped a disease, but it sure gets an industry up in arms.

Hey, the Farm & Garden website is running a poll on whether NAIS is a good idea or not. Go over and voice your opinion. Right now it's running about 92% opposed to NAIS. Maybe your vote will change things.

An ear tag never stopped a disease.

Otero livestock group asks county to oppose ID system

The chairman of the Otero County Grazing Advisory Board is calling the National Animal Identification System "devastating to the livestock industry in the state."

Rancher Bobby Jones told Otero County commissioners Tuesday that grazing board members unanimously approved a resolution opposing NAIS in February. The measure identifies and tracks animals using a computer chip implanted under the animal's skin, a computer chip ear tag, and a retina scan.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared NAIS will be mandatory by 2009.

Jones asked commissioners to support the livestock organization's resolution. The document states the program violates the First, Fourth, Fifth, 10th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

"We feel like the USDA does not have authority or jurisdiction to do this," Jones said.

He said he is not opposed to ranchers who want to voluntarily participate, but pointed out that cattle brands used in New Mexico "have sufficed for over a hundred years" as a means of identifying animals.

I am glad to see more and more cattle ranchers opposing this measure. We need to make noise about the NAIS system and get it stopped.

Government's idea of 'tracking' animals

Reaction to the National Animal Identification System is shining a light on a growing problem that independent producers believe is threatening the entire livestock industry. Vertical marketing practices in the meat processing industry, combined with the industry's access to and influence on the Department of Agriculture and Congress, has the small producer against the ropes. The NAIS may be the final blow that puts independent ranchers and small farmers down for the count.

There is nothing particularly new here about National Animal Identification System (NAIS), just the same information hopefully reaching more and more people to help fight this plan. Just more information how NAIS is driven by the meat packers to further consolidate the market, and how they are using their money to influence the USDA and Congress to do their bidding.

There is strong belief among producers that the NAIS has little to do with food safety and much more to do with providing data for agribusiness. One farmer says "... agribusiness giants will then have access to all of the information on the [NAIS] database. They will have knowledge about all sources and supplies of commodity animals. They will use such information to improve their ongoing practice of captive supply and market price manipulation."

He is convinced that "The USDA has become the conscript of agribusiness. All key positions at the USDA are now held by former agribusiness people or their minions."

Funny, I've been saying the same thing all along. The Meat packers have bought and payed for the USDA and expect it to do their bidding to the detriment of the farmers, ranchers, and consumers of the USA. Either somebody is listening to me, I'm listening to someone else, or thew facts are so obvious that everybody in the industry knows this to be true. I personally think it's the last on, it's painfully obvious what's going on, getting things changed is the next problem to solve.

Sonce the problem of the big Agribusiness companies taking control of the USDA first surfaced in 1993 with Mike Espy this isn't a problem that can only be laid at the feet of King George Bush. Bill Clinton was also involved in letting the big meat packers have their way in the USDA and hurting all of us. The solution is going to take an awful big broom at the USDA, along with the political will to use it, to clean out all the influence the Agribusiness companies have and to turn the agency around to helping America's agriculture, not just helping the meat packers to the detriment of us all.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it might lead to an awakening of the public to corporate control of our Government.

It's even more important to write your Congressmen about NAIS and your opposition to it. Enough noise is being made in opposition to the USDA and it's NAIS that Congress now wants to pass a law implementing it against the people's will.

Congress To Include Livestock ID System In 07 Farm Bill

U.S. lawmakers intend to take on the responsibility of improving how the U.S. will operate a nation-wide livestock identification program - a tool to control outbreaks of animal diseases - when Congress writes the 2007 Farm Bill, even if that means delays, a key U.S. senator said Thursday.

Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., told reporters: "This is an issue we're going to deal with in the Farm Bill," and added it is more important to delay the process and "make sure we do it right."

Keep writing, keep calling, we have to let our Representatives know that this is wrong and violates the constitution in many ways. Make noise, be heard.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it sure can create a lot of controversy.

So how safe are these RFID tags we are supposed to use from tampering?

RFID Viruses and Worms

Up until now, everyone working on RFID technology has tacitly assumed that the mere act of scanning an RFID tag cannot modify back-end software, and certainly not in a malicious way. Unfortunately, they are wrong. In our research, we have discovered that if certain vulnerabilities exist in the RFID software, an RFID tag can be (intentionall) infected with a virus and this virus can infect the backend database used by the RFID software. From there it can be easily spread to other RFID tags.

So, an infected tag could infect the whole database of livestock the USDA wants to set up and comprise the database in some way. Really makes you feel safe about the whole system doesn't it.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it gives the terrorists another way to harm our food supply.

Where does the problem lie with opening up the markets across the sea to US Beef? With the Cattleman not ID tagging their animals or the big meat packers who keep shipping meat overseas that doesn't meet the standards for importation into other countries?

HK suspends beef imports from U.S. processing plant

Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced on Saturday that it would suspend immediately beef imports from Swift Beef Company, a processing plant in Colorado of the United States.

The decision was made following the discovery of beef imports with bones from that plant during last night's inspections by FEHD' s Airport Food Inspection Office, a department spokesman said.

"Beef imports from the United States was resumed on Dec. 29 last year. According to an agreed protocol, only boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, with high risk materials such as brain and spinal cord removed during slaughtering, could be imported from designated plants approved by the United States.

"We will contact the relevant authorities for more information concerning the beef imports in question," he said.

We lose Japan as a market because a meat packer shipped banned items and now another market is at risk for the same reason. The USDA/meat packers need to fix their problem before it drives the whole cattle business under water.

So, how would the ear tag the USDA/meat packers want to mandate I use to help keep foreign markets open, prevent the meat packer from stupidly shipping meat with bone pieces in it to a foreign country that doesn't allow it? You got it, it doesn't. The meat packers need to step up sanitation and inspections in their plants if they want to maintain foreign markets, not drive the producers in this country out of business with this NAIS scheme.

Look to your own house first before you come into mine to fix your problem. I can't fix things you break.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but the USDA/meat packers sure like to use it as an excuse for their problems.

I have been reading some about Texans fighting the state NAIS and applaud those that are fighting it and wish them well. Maybe I have been dropping the ball here on this by not mentioning it here before but I am busy enough I just haven't gotten it done. A good place to go to check up on what is happening in Texas is Texas Animal Health Commission Watch which I have added to my Websites of Interest. They are fighting the good fight and more Texans need to rise up against this and get it stopped.

I will particularly point out the article at Texas Animal Health Commission Watch from Mary Zanoni, Ph.D. (Cornell), J.D. (Yale) as a good read on the whole NAIS issue.

Comments on NAIS Draft Program Standards and Draft Strategic Plan

I have added this to my Pages of Interest on the right for easy access should anybody need to reference it again. Go check out how the Texans are fighting this and support them. They need all the help they can get. We get this shutdown in one state maybe the rest will get the hint to stop shoving this down our throats.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it sure has the Texans up in arms over their oppressive government.

A new group has formed to oppose NAIS called National Property Owners Association.

It is regrettable that NPOA has been born out of the lack of respect by our own government towards the Constitution of the Unites States of America; particularly The 5th Amendment, which states the following.

Amendment V of the United States Constitution

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Go Visit them and help the fight.

An Ear tag never stopped a disease, but it sure brings diverse groups together to fight the good fight.

SD Stockgrowers Circulate Petition to Stop Mandatory Animal ID

Members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) are asking friends and neighbors across the state to sign a petition opposing the implementation of a mandatory national animal identification program.

“We’re trying to contact all cattle producers who are opposed to the excessive cost and regulation that a mandatory program would include, and asking them to sign our petition. Then we plan to share our petitions with USDA and our elected officials to help them understand the level of opposition in the heart of cattle country,” said Fox.

Fox added that if any producers have not had the chance to sign a petition or would like to circulate one, they may contact Carrie Stadheim at the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association office at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com.

Get out there and sign that petition. Let our elected officials know the opposition to this proposal.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it sure brings people together in opposition to it.

Voluntary:
1 : proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
2 : unconstrained by interference : SELF-DETERMINING
3 : done by design or intention : INTENTIONAL (voluntary manslaughter)
4 : of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will (voluntary behavior)
5 : having power of free choice
6 : provided or supported by voluntary action (a voluntary organization)
7 : acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation

Cattle might get individual ID numbers

U.S. livestock might soon receive individual identification numbers in a voluntary plan to prevent the spread of mad cow and other diseases.

NAIS Plan from USDA

• January 2009: Reporting of defined animal movements required; entire program mandatory.

I will point out the news story says the program will be voluntary, proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent, and the USDA's plan is it to be mandatory. Who is fooling who here. Do they really think I am this stupid to buy into their propaganda that NAIS will be voluntary? Just keep remembering magical word mandatory in the NAIS plan and don't buy the propaganda. The USDA will try anything to control the lives and property of what they consider to be their serfs, the farmers and ranchers of the US.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, but it sure drives the government propaganda machine.

The other day I come across a post talking about opposition to NAIS that had this quote in it.

the public outcry in support of National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is comparable only to the public outcry in opposition to NAIS.

I very politely posted that following comment.

You make the statement, "public outcry in support of National Animal Identification System (NAIS)." I was wondering if you can support this statement with facts. I have never seen anywhere where there is public support for this. The government would lead us to believe there is but I have never actually seen it. I would appreciate the facts to back up your statement.

I have yet to receive any answer from the person that posted this, cyoung-puyear, and am still waiting. Is this such a hard question to answer? Support your position with facts please. Where is this "public outcry" in support of NAIS? Can anybody out there answer this question for me.

An ear tag never stopped a disease, it just causes people to lie in support of the position.