Australian Perspective on NAIS
R-CALF Mtg: Australian Cattleman Tells Of ID Shortcomings
From cattle producer Athol Economou's perspective, Australia's national animal identification system is virtually useless, and the true costs are unknown.
Economou, also a representative of the Australian Beef Association, made his remarks Friday at the R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America's annual convention in Denver, as attendees were being brought up to date on the construction progress of the U.S. traceback system.
Many U.S. producers are wary of the new system, and Economou's comments didn't do much to calm their fears.
Under the Australian program is mandatory, Economou said, and was initiated independently by each state over time.
To sell an animal, the animal must have the property identification code on an ear and tail tag plus a vender declaration that includes what the animal has been fed and its veterinary history, Economou said. The vender declaration says the seller believes the animal is wholesome or it states the seller doesn't know.
Each time an animal is sold, the information must go to a central database, Economou said. In theory, the current owner is responsible for keeping up the information flow. Buyers and packers are required to inform the database either of the purchase or of the slaughter.
This isn't the first time I've read about how Australians aren't happy with their system and to watch out in designing ours. The funny thing is that the USDA keeps holding up the Australian system as an example of what we want to do in the US. Beware the NAIS. It's the government getting in our pockets and freedom for their benefit, not ours.
