Ridiculous fines were published for those who refuse to comply. Cattle people especially do not trust the USDA, which has spent over $100 million trying to sign up premises and has only convinced less than 20% of the producers to enlist. This is a cost of over $600 per producer in national pressure techniques for enlistment. Today NAIS is the most disliked, unpopular, and feared government program in USDA history. (Check an Internet google search for "NAIS OPPOSITION" and over 130,000 hits are listed.)

The dairy industry annually loses over $200 million with Johnes disease. However, USDA has ignored Johnes and provides a minimal funding for its eradication. An old disease, Johnes still does not have a valid test or valid vaccine. While literally billions are lost world wide on Johnes the USDA throws away $100 million on 48 hour trace back of perceived diseases while denying proper funding to eradicate Johnes. This has caused thousands of cattle people to wonder how USDA decides priorities. Who makes these frivolous costly decisions and hires Washington spin writers to flood the nation with NAIS glorified press releases about the wonderful 48 hour trace back goals?

The proposed NAIS program is becoming highly prejudiced. Veterinarians are requesting premise numbers and NAIS numbers for interstate and export livestock shipments. NAIS is intended to be prejudice by forcing mandatory compliance against even entry-level producers who will be required to purchase expensive reading, recording and tagging equipment. This past week the Colorado State Veterinarian said NAIS premise addresses were used to assist in choosing drop sights for blizzard cattle feeding — obviously non premise enlisted ranches were passed on by.

In our last meeting Dr. Holland said, "There is no consensus." This is because of the diverse animal production methods and health requirements from Alaska to Hawaii to Ohio. Specific local and state disease problems must be dealt with regionally, not nationally. The Yellow Stone bangs disease, Michigan deer TB and Uvalde, Texas 7 county anthrax programs are proof that federal solutions can't target these local problems.
The NAIS program is FLAWED and producers know it. Over 75% of the animal owners don't want anything to do with NAIS or premises enlistment. Beef Magazine can report that 75% of the producers want NAIS, but the facts are that this same percent that WANT it so bad are refusing to sign up their premises. R-CALF must remember there are 9 billion animals or fowl that qualify for NAIS numbering. Only 100 million are cattle. Look at the big picture on resolutions. When thinking about branding this will have no effect on hogs, horses, llamas, goats, fowl, lions, deer, etc. NAIS is so flawed and poorly thought out we have no choice but to pass resolutions that totally oppose any premises enlistment and any NAIS voluntary or mandatory compliance for any and all fowl or animals produced in the USA. Proposed Resolution: (Not officially approved)

WHEREAS: The R-CALF Committee on Animal Identification has grave concerns over the ramifications of a voluntary premise registration that will grant state and federal jurisdiction over private property, and

WHEREAS: Indications of prejudice and profiling are revealed in the current early implementation of NAIS actions, and

WHEREAS: Previous premise identification numbers have been assigned by the government in the federal brucellosis program, 911 addresses, state brand registrations, and Farm Service Agencies in every state:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The R-CALF Animal Identification Committee opposes any and all federal or state government action that encourages or mandates premise registration and individual or industry participation in NAIS or any other similar program.

Note of author: The above-prepared statements were presented to and met favor from ranchers and producers. People employed in the animal health industry were not appreciative. The proposed resolution will be discussed at the R-CALF convention — if animal health professionals and government employees will allow floor time. DD

Further Reading:

• Farm Bureau's Policy Statement on NAIS
• National Farmer's Union policy Statement
• Grange policy (points 11 and 12)
• Minutes of the 1994 National Livestock Identification Symposium
• USAIO, ViaTrace, and Microsoft Animal ID partnership
• NAIS Sucks

             

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