Legislative Attempt to Control NAIS
Lawmakers seek to keep animal ID voluntary
Measures have been introduced in both the House and Senate to prohibit the USDA from developing a mandatory National Animal ID System.
Senator Jim Talent and Representative Jo Ann Emerson, each a Missouri Republican, introduced the measures in their respective chambers to make the system strictly voluntary.
The bill would prohibit the USDA from mandating livestock owner participation in an animal ID system, according to a news release from Senator Talent's office.
It would also address privacy concerns. Under the proposal, confidential records submitted to USDA by livestock owners would not be subject to any request under the Freedom of Information Act. In addition, they could only be shared with other departments under specific circumstances.
This is promising. The whole NAIS thing is happening in the corridors of the USDA without legislative oversight. This is a start of getting the appropriate oversight involved to control the USDA and their over reaching plan to track every critter in the US from birth to death. Call and/or write your Congressman and Senators to get on board and support these bills.
