No Mandatory Animal ID

Livestock ID system not working, says agent

The largest cattle agent at the biggest saleyards in Australia says the National Livestock Identification System equipment is not up to scratch and needs to be replaced.

It has been five months since Queensland's Roma saleyards spent $300,000 upgrading their facilities to cope with the new electronic ID system .

Elders agent Mick Connell says the equipment is not scanning tags properly and it is taking up to a third longer to process cattle.

The USDA keeps holding the Australia system up to us for NAIS. More and more I read and see on TV where the Australia system is broke and needs fixed. So, the USDA is going to saddle us with a broken system just to make the meat packers happy and enslave the farmers and ranchers. How lucky we all are.

Remember, an ID number never stopped a disease, it just cost us producers a lot of money.

Johanns says U-S close to completing system to track cattle

In this brief story Johanns says Animal ID is a "crucial tool in safeguarding animals from disease." Now I may be just a "dumb cowboy" but how does an id number or ear tag safeguard an animal from a disease? Quick answer, it doesn't. We really need to look further to see what might be driving this. NoNAIS.org has an idea though. Check it out.

Remember, an ear tag, ID number, or premise ID, never stopped a disease, but it might help line a politicians pocket.

Walter over at NoNAIS asked me "Can you tell me more about how many big producers do you think are against NAIS?"

I don't know what I can tell you for sure. I only know of one producer, very large (10,000 head of mother cows), in the area that is for NAIS. Everybody else opposes it. A good organization that has producers of all shapes and sizes that has many questions about NAIS is R-CALF USA. Another organization in the State of Montana that opposes it is the Montana Cattleman's Association. How the producers in these organizations break out big and small I can't say for sure but knowing some of the bigger members, there are quite a few of the bigger operators that are opposed to NAIS. Their opposition usually breaks out the same as mine, where do I benefit? Prove it. Whether all this opposition in our state is going to get anything accomplished I don't know but I wanted to be a voice out there talking about it.

I personally don't see the pay-off to having an NAIS system in place. A large operation, like a small one, has to put pencil to paper and figure out if an expense is going to pay for itself. I might sell multiple semi loads of cattle a year but nobody out there is giving me a premium for ID animals over the money they are paying now so where is the advantage? How the expense of the NAIS is going to pay for itself is beyond me. The only people that truly want this system is the big meat packers.

The big meat packers are why NAIS is going to be a mandatory system and not a voluntary system. The USDA is in bed with the big meat packers and the packers don't want to have to only slaughter animals with ID's for foreign markets at one time and then have to slaughter animals with no ID for the domestic market. This would mess up the way they just throw it all together and call it quality beef. This has been the meat packers opposition to Country Of Origin Labeling (COOL) also. Having to segregate what they slaughter would cost them money. Easier and cheaper for them to buy off the government and have the cost of a system on the little producers so they can avoid it entirely. So really this fight is the meat packers/USDA against everybody else who owns animals. Getting them to see and understand that is the problem.

The question I would have for producers of common cattle, sheep, goats, chickens or any other critter affected by this is what price premium are you getting for critters with id's in them? Not promises of premiums, actual premiums. I've seen very little of this and I don't expect to. That's why the smart operators are opposing this, there is no benefit.

Remember, an ear tag, ID number, or premise ID, never stopped a disease or guaranteed a premium for your animals.

What next: animal mug shots?

"I tell people about this, and they think I've gone nuts."

She's talking about an extraordinary plan under way to register, and track, every livestock animal in the U.S. That's all the cows, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, pigs, even llamas.

It's called the National Animal Identification System. It seeks to assign each animal a 15-digit ID number and physical tag such as a radio-frequency device. So far it's voluntary, but it's slated to be mandatory in 2009 for any animal that moves from one property to another (i.e. if they're sold, borrowed, displayed at a fair, or just wander around a lot.)

It's well-meaning. If we know where all the animals are at all times, then we can quickly quell outbreaks of disease, such as mad-cow or avian flu.

But there are more than 10 billion such animals in the U.S. We kill 9 billion chickens a year. Keeping track of them all, even if some are registered in groups, will require massive government record keeping.

Another problem: It's insane. Especially for people who own just a handful of animals.

"it's insane." I hardily agree. Most of the opposition I see to this comes from small producers but there are a lot of big producers out there, like me, who disagree with NAIS too. It's insane to number and count all the animals in the US. What's next RFID tag all the people to keep track of them?

Remember, an ear tag, ID number, or premise ID, never stopped a disease. Proper health and nutrition by caring people, not factory farms, provide disease prevention.

So what is my favorite organization to hate, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), up to now. First they say they are abandoning the private database concept of National Animal Identification System (NAIS) when talking to the foes of NAIS, R-CALF, and then turns around and tells the U.S. Animal Identification Organization, the people who are setting up the private database, to continue it's work to build a consolidated database of all animals as envisioned. Sounds like they are trying to blow smoke up my ass if you ask me. Tell the foes of it what they want to hear and then continue on just as you are doing.

This whole NAIS issue needs to stay on the front burner where it can be seen by everybody and I am doing all I can to do this. NAIS does not mean food security. It means the death of small farmers and ranchers every where who can't afford the cost and abuse this system will bring to all of us, big and small. Remember, an ear tag, ID number, or premise ID, never stopped a disease. Proper health and nutrition by caring people, not factory farms, provide disease prevention.

USDA abandons private database concept for NAIS

USDA, after hearing strong opposition from the industry, has abandoned its earlier decision to allow a single private entity to manage the livestock movement database in connection with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

But that wasn't the only major announcement from the agency concerning NAIS:

The agency's NAIS coordinator, Neil Hammerchmidt, told last week's meeting of R-CALF USA that there won't be a mandatory ID program by 2009, as previously announced.

And, he said, USDA attorneys are researching whether they have the legal authority to require producers to report livestock movement to a private entity.

This sure looks to me like a bunch of Government speak. I will attempt to decipher it.

"Since people don't like the idea of a private database we will just have the government keep the database and announce that there will be no mandatory program reporting to a private database. This will lull all the opposition to this program, like R-CALF, into thinking it won't be mandatory program down the line in 2009."

Yes, all they are saying is that they won't have a mandatory program that reports to a private database, not that there won't be a program. We need to keep up the pressure on this issue to stop the USDA from handing over production of all our food to the big corporations and factory farms who support the NAIS system. Remember, no ear tag ever stopped a disease.

An interesting list of organizations to help producers in my state, Montana, number their critters for the "voluntary" National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

Livestock producer registration offered

For more information about registering premises, contact one of these organizations: Montana Beef Network at (406) 994-4323, Montana Department of Livestock at (406) 444-7323, Montana Extension Service. Check with your local agent, Montana Farm Bureau Federation at (406) 587-3153, Montana Farmers Union at (406) 452-6406, Montana Pork Producers Council at (406) 994-3595, Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420, Montana Woolgrowers Association (406) 442-1330.

Real helpful these organizations are in Montana to help the government take away producers rights and subjugate themselves to Government tyranny. I urge producers not to submit to registration of their premises and to fight the whole NAIS proposal. It's just a fancy way the meat packers have to subjugate American producers to their will. While right now it's voluntary, it will be mandatory by 2005 unless producers and consumers can derail it. Remember the part these organizations played in trying to subjugate you producers and stop supporting them.

One of the whole reasons behind the push for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) by the USDA is animal diseases such as bird flu. Yesterday I mentioned the fact that the USDA is proposing to let Chicken from China into the US where, in case you've missed it, bird flu is rampant.

So the USDA wants to count and number all critters in the US to prevent disease, which by the way I will point out an ear tag never stopped a disease, but is willing to allow imports from a country that has the same disease to continue with no problems. Does this make sense to anyone else out there?

I'll tell you it's all about the money, the big meat packers tell the USDA what they want and guess what, they get it. The American consumer gets cheap meat, probable unsafe from foreign sources that don't meet US standards, the meat packers get lots of money and the American producer gets the shaft. What a deal. For safe affordable meat the American consumer needs to wake up and smell the tulips and fight these proposals from the USDA. Otherwise the ability of this country to feed itself will disappear forever.

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.

Another excellent editorial about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that is worth a read.

NAIS: What Does it Take to Raise an Alarm These Days?

Over the past couple of years, we've been subjected to a series of media scares relating to our meat supply. From Mad Cow, to swine flu, to e.Coli, to mutant flesh-eating viruses, and now the Avian flu, we've been led to believe that if we don't act immediately, we're all going to die.

Enter the National Animal Identification System, a governmental program which utilizes public-private partnerships in an attempt to identify and track every animal in the United States.

And despite the fact that we haven't had a single case of Mad Cow or the Avian flu transmitted to humans in the United States, and that the NAIS couldn't possibly do a thing to prevent contaminations of our meat supply occurring after the meat has been processed, we're all expected to expel a deep sigh of relief.

Uncle Sam has come through for us again.

But at what cost?

The National Animal Identification System will force farmers, hobbyists, and even pet owners to register each animal they own, and tag that animal with an identifying tag, band, or implanted electronic chip, for the purpose of tracking that animal through the food chain whether or not it even enters the food chain.

An over-reaching government out of control is what it sounds like.

Will implementation of the NAIS make our meat supply safer? Probably not, and it's not likely that we'd know if it did. It's not like people are dropping like flies from Mad Cow disease, as it is. The NAIS might be compared to using a cannon to hunt black flies in February.

The NAIS is likely to drive small meat producers out of business, placing an unfair economic burden on the traditional American businesses that have fed us since we've existed as a nation. Once the program is established, animal owners will bear the costs associated with the requirements for registration, identification, and reporting.

Costs to large-scale producers of meat will be absorbed by consumers, raising the cost of living for all of us.

The NAIS will prevent many people from raising animals for their own food. The NAIS is said to be necessary in order to make our food supply secure against disease or terrorism, yet what can be more secure than raising your own food or buying from a local farmer who you actually know?

This is exactly the thing, NAIS will not make our food supply safer. It will only increase the cost of production of food which will be passed on to the consumers and drive the little guys out of business. Is this what we want to see as a country? The family farm and ranches disappear.

Although it seems to be slow in coming, there is yet time for an outcry over this program to have some effect. Small farmers and landowners can take action to oppose implementation of this plan.

First, do not participate in the "voluntary" state program to register either your farm or your animals, as they'll use your willingness to participate in the program as justification for making it mandatory for everyone in the near future. If state or federal officials urge you to register either your premises or your animals, ask them whether your participation is voluntary or mandatory. Ask to see a copy of any legislation that gives them the authority to require compliance.

More importantly, contact any farming, breeding, or other associations that you might be a member of, asking them to oppose the NAIS. Ask these organizations to sponsor letter-writing campaigns to elected officials, both state and federal. Individually, you can write to your state and federal legislators. Letters sent via the postal service carry more weight than emails or form letters, but anything is better than nothing.

The United States Department of Agriculture plans the issuance of a NAIS rule for public comment in July of 2006. Be aware of this when the time comes, and be prepared to submit an individual comment opposing this rule.

Heed this advice and do everything you can to oppose this Nais rule from going into effect. The amazing thing about it is that their is no legislation authorizing this. It is the executive branch of the government acting on their own with no oversight from Congress. Write your Congressman to draft legislation opposing this. Everybody's help is needed.

A private group has been formed to oversee the National Animal Identification System. The United States Animal Identification Organization held their first meeting via teleconference this week, where the board's first three members were elected.

One leader of the organization is NCBA member Rick Stott of Boise, Idaho. He says the group is a non-profit, independent organization with just one purpose: to provide an industry controlled entity to manage the National Animal Identification movement database.

With the way I see NCBA/meat packers manipulating the whole NAIS I don't feel at all good about this "Private group" being formed. I am sure it's packed with people who are towing the line to the meatpackers/NCBA/USDA line of bull we are being fed. Just another group to keep an eye on.

I normally don't link to opinion pieces but this one gets an exception.

The mark of the beast

The piece is about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and the problems with it.

Everyone wants a safe, abundant and affordable food supply, which America has enjoyed for years – without a National Animal Identification System. Why is it necessary now? The increased terrorist threat certainly justifies tightening up security in the food chain. But the NAIS does little or nothing to tighten security, while imposing ridiculous burdens upon the small producer.

The NAIS was initiated by the National Institute of Animal Agriculture, a non-government organization consisting of the leaders of agribusiness. The program they designed tends to shift the burden, cost and ultimate responsibility for food safety from the agribusiness giants to the small producer.

The NAIS requires the small producer to not only bear the cost of the program, but also to be the ultimate scapegoat in the event that an agribusiness supplier's product is found to be faulty, for whatever reason. Should little Johnny get sick after eating a hamburger made with beef supplied by BigAgri Packing Company, BigAgri simply points the finger to the producer, or producers, whose cows were in the batch from which Johnny's hamburger was made. Agribusiness shifts its responsibility for buying only healthy product to the farmer, who must guarantee his animals to be healthy.

The NAIS is an industry-designed program which will drive small producers out of business, reduce competition and ultimately put both supply and price in the hands of industry giants – unless opponents of this program get organized.

I agree with all of this. It's a program designed to put the burden of the whole system on the producers and not the big companies. The National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA) and the USDA support this system and as I've reported and showed before the big meat packers control these two entities to do what they want, which is NAIS.

I have yet to meet a rancher that supports this and one of my neighbors is a big supporter of NCBA so you think he would, well guess what, he doesn't. People need to wake up on this one and start hitting their congressman and state representatives. This will hurt all Americans in the long run and not help anybody but the big business drive the small producers out.

Someone dropped a comment in an older post about a blog I found of interest called Stop Animal ID. If I read it right its an effort to promote understanding to all people about what the whole National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is proposing and doing. It bears for more than just cattle producers to keep an eye on this and act.

In Texas, once this is in full effect, you will be fined $1000 a DAY for not registering your premises if you have animals and, the way the Texas regs are worded, that INCLUDES pets.

According to this it even affects pet owners. People need to be paying attention to this and making noise. I've wrote my congressmen and Senators once about this, I think it's time to again.

Herd Identification System (HIS).

[sarcasm]Interesting[/sarcasm] commentary from Mike John of the National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA), (the right arm of the meat packers) on the HIS.

As chairman, I have spent many hours working with my fellow commission members to move us toward a voluntary, producer-led solution to this issue.

Voluntary? How can a program that is mandated by the federal government be considered voluntary? Producer-led? The NCBA is led by the Meat packers, not producers so how can a program led by the NCBA be producer-led? Must be some good drugs around to make these statements.

He says critics like me are spreading lies about the system. I've never said a word above and beyond the ear tags don't stay in and I don't see that it is necessary to do, but lets approach his points.

NCBA’s just doing this to make money.

NCBA is not in this to make money, I agree. The NCBA is in on this because the meat packers want a system they can get information from to discriminate against producers of cattle that they deem to be sub quality or from producers that give them trouble. There is all ready anecdotal information (I can't find Internet links for it, sorry) that meat packers in Australia are doing just this so it's not a stretch to think the meat packers will do it here. Since the NCBA is controlled by the meat packers the NCBA is doing it.

USDA is handing this issue off to the NCBA.

USDA, NCBA, it doesn't matter, both organizations are controlled by the meat packers.

Cattlemen will be better served by a government system.

Hell, the last thing I want to see is the Government involved in this thing. One look at Hurricane Katrina ought to prove that to anybody.

If NCBA’s plan moves forward, it will have too much industry control.

NCBA does not plan to operate or control the national animal movement database once it is operational. Instead, we plan to turn it over to a non-profit, multi-species consortium that is independent of NCBA.

Prove it!!! I bet this organization they plan could be called the Independent Council of the Meat Packers, exactly who they are designing the system for.

Vendors will make all the money from this system.

It's a government mandated system, people who sell ear tags and tagging systems will make money. Who cares, if it wasn't a mandated system I wouldn't care.

We don’t really need animal ID.

If anyone still believes this, they simply are not paying attention to the industry. If you don’t believe that source verification is important, ask McDonald’s why they are paying a premium for it. If you don’t believe animal ID is important to our international trading partners, just look at the struggle we have endured to get market access back after being derailed by a single case of BSE. While we do not feel that animal ID should be mandated by the government, we believe the marketplace is already handing down an economic mandate that will provide cattlemen opportunities. To reap these benefits, cattlemen need a solution right now, not in three to five years.

As I've stated, I don't agree with this. I don't see where the HIS is necessary. My brand has worked good for years and the state of Montana can track cattle to me via the present brand in less than 24 hours. That's the goal of the system, so why do we need this expensive system using ear tags that isn't going to work properly, right now tests have it reading accurately less than 90% of the time, when the brand has worked good for centuries?

R-calf is starting to take a stance on this to get it out of the NCBA's hands. I applaud this and support them. If we have to do this, get it out of the NCBA's hands. Who's to administer it that producers can trust I can't say but I don't want to see the Government or NCBA involved.

I do have on question I would like to throw to the NCBA now. Why do you as an organization oppose Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) but support HIS? You support HIS because it lets the government/meat packers know where the cattle are coming from but oppose COOL which would let consumers know where their meat is coming from. Explain the difference to me? They look like the same thing in the long run.

Why the difference? I can answer this. The meat packers like to mix US ground beef with foreign sources of meat and they don't want to have to stop doing this and pawning the whole product off on consumers as US beef and COOL would stop them from doing this while HIS doesn't. NCBA=Meat packers. I told you.