Fw: 's response to Oppose NAIS - take action

[Guest guest]

's response to Oppose NAIS - take action

Noah, If appropriate, please publish the following response to 's letter dated January 3, 2006:I was one of those people who was unsuccessful in reaching when I first learned of NAIS a few weeks ago. Why did I attempt to contact ? Because after reading a magazine article, I got on the internet and studied the Plan, numerous magazine articles, and the state sites for voluntarily registering farm animals with the NAIS. In my research I discovered that the Chair of the Goats Work Group is . I immediately thought, "Wait a minute, why did she not contact ADGA members to let them know what is going on? Then I got on the phone and called ADGA and requested their official stand on this proposed legislation. I was told someone would return my call. The call was returned shortly and I was told to refer to the ADGA web page. While this page did give me information about NAIS, it did not answer my question.I am shocked that someone can study the Plan and not have warning bells go off. Listed below are a few of my concerns:(1) Disease will not be eliminated by a tracking system. The system may be helpful in tracking the disease, but a disease is not eliminated by the tracking system itself. The most common types of meat contamination in the U.S. are the occurrences of pathogens such as listeria or E.coli in processed meat. When meat becomes contaminated at a large packing plant, millions of consumers in all 50 states are exposed to the dangerous product. Government should enact a law to closer scrutinize the large commercial food sources. Because of overcrowded conditions and the general biological by-products of animal production, these are the places most likely to contribute in the spreading of infectious disase, not on the premises of small producers. If our government is indeed concerned with BSE, why does it not test every slaughtered animal?"The NAIS will be a great tool in containing and eliminating diseases that could affect all species that will become a part of the system." (Plan, testimonials)(2) Small-scale farmers were not informed of this proposed legislation, and because they have been unable to respond appropriately, it appears that they are willing to enter a "voluntary" program as a justification of making the NAIS mandatory. The very organizations in which many of us hold memberships, appeared to be representing us, while they had actually never contacted the organizational members. The majority of small-scale farmers know nothing of NAIS to date."Throughout 2003, the NIDT, consisting of approximately 100 animal and livestock industry professions representing more than 70 associations, organizations, and government agencies, expanded upon the work plan to produce the initial draft of the U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP). Although early versions of the USAIP focused on food animals only, other livestock species (such as alpacas, llamas, and horses) were incorprated into the plan." (Plan, p 4)"For nearly 2 years, industry and government have worked to develop a comprehensive animal identification system." (Plan, Testimonials)"NAIS is for all animals that will benefit from having a system in place that facilitates rapid tracing in the event of a disease concern. Currently working groups are developing plans for alpacas and llamas, bison, cattle (beef and dairy), deer and elk, horses, goats, poultry, sheep, and swine." (Plan, p 5)(3) Small-scale farmers will be forced to pay fees to register their farms and animals."Even with public funding, there will be costs to producers." (Plan, p 11)(4) To whom will the livestock actually belong? Will I continue to pay taxes on the land, pay the feed bills, put forth labor to care for the animals, only to have my livestock now belong to the government? If not, why are these animals referred to as the "national herd"? (Plan, p 8)(5) While some tell us that as long as we keep our animals on our own farms, we will not be affected by this legislation, the language of the Plan clearly reveals otherwise."Producers will identify their animals and provide necessary records to the databases." (Plan, p 14)"Premises registration and animal identification according to NAIS standards will be required by January 2008." (Plan, p 10)"USDA anticipates that adequate advances in the NAIS will continue to occur, and it will enact regulations by early 2008, requiring stakeholders to identify their premises and animals." (Plan p 8) (6) Unless registered, the opportunity to market surplus animals will no longer be available."Market operators and processing plants will provide animal location records." (Plan, p 14)"While animals must be identified before moving from their current premises,..." (Plan, p )"Animal identification is worthwhile to producers and animal owners for various reasons, including performance recording and marketing opportunties." (Plan, p 5)(7) Unless registered, I will no longer be able to show livestock because show managers will be required to report me."Managers of shows and events will report a record of participating animals."And incidentally, I would be required to let the NAIS know when I plan to attend a show."While animals must be identified before moving from their current premises,..." (Plan, p )(8) Even calling your vet to the farm to assist in a difficult birth will result in the vet submitting a report to NAIS."Service providers and third parties will assist by providing animal identification and movement records to NAIS on behalf of their producer clients." (Plan, p 14)(9) The very organizations in which you hold memberships could be required to submit information about you and your livestock holdings."All groups will need to provide labor." (Plan, p 14)(10) Confidentiality is not guaranteed."...The USDA cannot assure the confidentiality of all the information at the present time." (Plan, p 15)And, yes, , I do recognize that "many of us have worked very hard to have goats represented in the discussion and evolution of the animal ID program. So, goats have surely been represented at the table when discussion has taken place." But the opinions of a multitude of goat owners were not allowed to have a voice. There are some of us that see our rights to privacy and the freedom eroding before our very eyes. You do have the right to your opinion, but please do not lead our government to think that you speak for all goat owners.I value my freedoms too much to not speak out against this proposed legislation, and I urgently request those of you who oppose this legislation to write your officials on the state and national levels, begin petitions, contact media sources, and write the organizations to which you belong informing them that you oppose NAIS. It is not too late to let our voices be heard!Rhonda Nichols