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Eliminate NAIS (National Animal Identification System)

We need to eliminate the National Animal Identification System. Even though I am not a farmer, I believe that this would put my family's food supply at risk since I usually buy directly from farmers - for the health of my family. The purpose of the NAIS is to identify every property that has any livestock and, in the case of small farmers, to identify every animal.  This is a huge waste of time and money for both the government and the farmer. It is very unpopular with the family farmer because, while CAFOs and corporate farms would only have to buy a single site license, the small family farmer would have to buy a license for each individual animal, putting a huge new burden on the small guy. I believe this is a form of tyranny - it appears to require that an animal owner will have to report every time he or she takes a horse for a trail ride, every time a chicken gets through the fence, etc. This forces farmers to open their private property to government oversight, and for many, who want to grow their own food or sell only to local customers, family food supply is put at risk because of the expense and paperwork. Even though the original purpose may have been to protect our food supply and trace disease or a possible terrorist attack through biological weapons, if there were an invasion or an attack, the source of all of our meat, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, etc. would be right there in a database that could be broken into - giving some people more information than we would want them to have.  Farmers growing for their own families or selling to local customers only should certainly not have to be regimented in this fashion.
78 Comments  »  Posted by DMontague to Homeland Security, Additional Issues on 1/14/2009 12:02 PM

Comments
 
Nana46
1/14/2009 12:12 PM
I know nothing about farming, but this does sound like a ridiculous waste of time and money.
 
crickette
1/14/2009 12:33 PM
NAIS is a serious encroachment on the property and privacy rights of all animal owning Americans. In addition to the small farmer or homesteader interested in raising their own meat, eggs or milk, it would also affect families involved in 4-H, hunting dog owners who keep a few birds on hand for training, or folks who keep sheep or llamas who spin their wool into yarns. Especially in these difficult times, we need a government that spends each dollar WISELY. The NAIS bureaucracy would be an enormous waste of taxpayer dollars and an unwarranted burden on our citizens. We need to stop NAIS in it's tracks and for states such as Wisconsin that have already implemented a version of NAIS in anticipation of the Federal NAIS, make it clear that they should discontinue it immediately.
 
griles
1/14/2009 12:34 PM
It is time to stop using the goverment to enforce standards that are necessary only when factory farms are using inhumane, crowded, and impersonal techniques.  Put the small farmer first in our agricultural policy.
 
wiwfarm
1/14/2009 12:35 PM
NAIS will wipeout the family farms of America. With the country sliding into depression we as a country cannot aford it. 

Premises ID creates an easement that allows the USDA to have warrantless access to a farmer's property. Premises code, once assigned to a location, is permanent (see http://www.aphis.usda.gov). When the land is sold or inherited, the Premises ID and the easement that it created stay with the land. Any other form of easement, for example, a conservation easement, results in a monetary consideration for taking on the easement. By contrast Premises ID does not result in any monetary gain for the farmer because as Mr. McKarns accurately noted, “it is free.” Like all easements, Premises ID diminishes the value of the land by limiting its use. When real estate law catches up with Premises ID of farmland, the farmer and his family will lose thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars when they want to or need to sell the estate.

 
jmcdonald
1/14/2009 12:39 PM
In the wake of public health scares directly related to our food supply (Mad Cow, Avian Influenza), it seems necessary to me that we devise a more effective way to track the transportation and care of the animals living on farms, so that in the case of an emergency, we can more easily track where the animals have been and what they have been exposed to in their feed and their environment, in order to prevent expansive outbreaks.

CAFO's are not the only farms that are vulnerable to sick animals, in fact, smaller farms that are not as profitable as CAFO's may be more likely to house sick animals, for they may be less inclined to spend their money on veterinary care if they do not believe that it is in the interest of their profit margins to seek the assistance of a veterinarian. Most CAFO's, on the other hand, have veterinarians on staff. While I don't agree with the principles of CAFO's for many reasons (issues of animal welfare, their effects on the environment, etc.), small farms are not always necessarily better in the area of public health and disease control. A licensing system would hold farms more accountable for disease on their farms, thus motivating them to do what they can to prevent disease and forcing them not to take shortcuts that might undermine public health. While I do think that it shouldn't be necessary that a small farmer pay for these licenses, a licensing system that allows for better tracking of questionable animals and more accountability on the part of the farms (both large and small) is a necessity in order to prevent major disease outbreaks in our food supplies. 
 
eatgreen
1/14/2009 12:41 PM
As the owner of an on-line farmers market that links consumers and small farmers, I  oppose NAIS on a number of grounds,but primarily because it will add an unnecessary cost of operation for the small family farmer.   It is exactly the kind of "anti-competitive behavior" that  President elect Obam decried during his campaign.  Although the USDA publicly claims that NAIS is voluntary, the agency has recently made premise registration--the first step in registering individual animals--mandatory for farmers who participate in any disease management programs.  If the large factory farms want NAIS, they should have it.  It may even help them with exports.  But making participation in NAIS mandatory for small farmers will be in direct violation of Obama's campaign promise to "prevent anti-competitive behavior against family farms, encourage organic and local agriculture and encourage young people to be farmers. "  As his first act in office, Secretary-designate Vilsack should tell the USDA to stop their efforts to make NAIS mandatory for small producer. 
 
rise and shine
1/14/2009 1:05 PM
Where will the small familily farmer be if NAIS is mandatory ? In the welfare line because most small farmers can't afford to put out hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase the chips that will be required to be implanted in thier animals. This program was founded by BIG AGbusiness and suggested to the government the same BIG AGbusiness who make heavy political contribiutions

NO NAIS!
 
3H-Rider
1/14/2009 1:25 PM
It's no secret that the USDA is corrupt and is in the pocket of the huge agribusinesses. They have proven this over and over again by their actions that include having the State Ag Departments forbid children from entering livestock at county fairs unless the parents registered their premises to registering properties without the owners permission or knowledge. They have also ignored the independent study done that proved the micro chips they are forcing horse owners to inject into their horses can cause cancer as well as other problems that range from severe infections to death. The very fact that other safer forms of ID for horses such as freeze branding or tattoos have been dropped screams corruption.

There is a clause hidden in the NAIS that states that the USDA has the right to enter any livestock owners property day or night, without a warrant or permission, without proof of disease present and remove or slaughter any or all livestock. It further states that the owner is forbidden to have any testing done before or after the animals are killed, which means the owner has no way to prove their animals were healthy.

How easy will this make it for a CAFO to pay off an employee of the USDA to falsify a report and wipe out a smaller farmer. NOONE should ever have this kind of control over the life of another. Think about it, you work your whole life raising livestock, building a good breeding program and in the blink of an eye it's all gone and your life is destroyed.

For many of us who own horses, we put in endless hours feeding, grooming, training and cleaning up after our mounts. For many of us they are more than livestock, they're a part of the family. The thought of being forced to stand there while the USDA slaughters my horses for no reason at all terrifies me.

Don't believe this can happen? Think our government would never let this happen? I have two words for you, "Hank Paulson". Our government made the mistake of giving him complete control of $350 billion and he betrayed us and is now picking and choosing which banks will survive and which won't. By putting the NAIS into effect our government will give the USDA the same kind of power to choose which farmers survive and which they will destroy, all of us will be at their mercy.

President Elect Obama made many promises during his campaign, three of which were to uphold our Constitution, protect small farmers and cut wasteful spending. By putting an end to the NAIS he can do all three.
 
blackhorse
1/14/2009 1:32 PM
Implementation of NAIS will be the cause the death of small family farms in the US.  It's not even fair since factory farms do not have to meet the same individual ID requirements that I would have to with any of my livestock..  Small farm livestock seldom if ever enters the export market, ostensibly one of the "reasons" for NAIS. 

There are already government mandated programs for tracking livestock disease.  Why do we need another one?  If the existing ones aren't working why do we have them?  This program is really about generating income for chip manufacturers and stifling the competition of Big Agriculture. 

The impact is much more far reaching for individuals than commercial agriculture.  The cost is much greater for hobbiests and small farmers than USDA suggests.  This program will make me a criminal for owning a donkey.  The lie that the program is voluntary can only be disproved by keeping it voluntary.  Using the states to enforce compliance is simply proves how desperate USDA is.  Follow the money.

Please, do your own homework. Don't listen to the USDA suits. See how well Australia's animal ID program is working.  Take a few minutes to go to a few "No Nais" websites and read the stories.  USDA will not listen to us.  You are our only hope.
 
Dreen
1/14/2009 1:44 PM
  The idea that NAIS will increase or aid in food safety is false. There is no provision for NAIS to help in it, the USDA docs on NAIS themselves state that NAIS is not a food safety program and that our food safety is assured through other USDA agencies, like FSIS. NAIS stops at slaughter or death, although death or slaughter will have to be reported in order to keep track of all those tags.

 The best thing that this administration could do with the USDA is to halt NAIS, constrain their budget immensely and stop allowing the Sec of Ag to be the trade negotiator with the WTO. As a matter of fact, getting out of the WTO would be economically beneficial as we've lost nearly all of our industry to it, and are now losing the capability of feeding ourselves to it as well. While that may seem like a different issue, I assure it is not.

 Look at the UK and Australia for the costs of this program. It will further consolidate ag, and NAIS is more restricitive than either of those countries programs. If you want only antibiotic laden manure or petrochemical fertilizer for your veggies and fruits, and if you want only agribiusiness meat and cheese and eggs and the destruction of rural America, then you should be pro-NAIS.

 
 
busymom
1/14/2009 1:50 PM
Please stop NAIS. I have a chronic inflamatory disease. One of my sons has autism. All of my children, and myself, have food sensitivities/allergies. All of us are very sensitive to chemicals. We need locally grown, pastured meat and organic produce. We get our food from local farmers, where we can see the condition of the animals. We know where our food comes from. Out meat, poultry, eggs do not come from feed lots. They take longer from birth to slaughter because of it. Our vegetables come from re-mineralized, certified organic fields. The farmers who pour their souls into provided this type of food should not have unnecessary restrictions to conform to. Eating very good food without chemicals has led to me having a much happier, healthier family. Please stop NAIS.
 
rancher in MT
1/14/2009 2:03 PM
I agree, the NAIS needs to be stopped. Just like the check offs. Will you help us?
 
Wellsie
1/14/2009 2:17 PM
Clean, organic food comes from small family farms.  Diseases come from large corporate farms in one of two ways: (1) Cramming animals into small spaces where they can pass illness, and (2) buying animals from other countries without properly checking for disease.  And, poisonous 'food' comes straight from chemicals used on crops by big corporate farms.

Rather than having to watch the CDC website to see who is serving up the latest poison dish, or monitoring the FDA website to see which of the latest chemicals are now found to cause cancer, I'd rather buy from my local farmers who I can trust to provide clean, safe food.

Small farmers can't afford the NAIS program.  Big corporate farms can.  And, they would love nothing more than to see small farms go away so they can make all the profit and sell us the latest concoction of chemically treated, diseased food they've cooked up.

Stop the madness.  No NAIS.
 
MaryLouWells
1/14/2009 2:39 PM
Mad Cow disease IS NOT CONTAGIOUS it is 100% preventable by not feeding animal parts to cows in feed!  Also, if the USDA will STOP disallowing farmers to test for Mad Cow when the animals are slaughtered our food supply would be safe from already infected animals.   Avian Influenza has been shown to originate in the close confines of factory farms and spread by shipping diseased birds. It is not spread by small open air flocks.  Yet, it is the small organic producer which will bear the highest costs while the factory farms have less cost and less competition.  Therefore this program makes your food supply LESS SAFE.  Also, the tracking is from farm to slaughter - it does not track meat to your table.  Most foodborne illness happens AFTER the animal is slaughtered.  Existing programs work well to control diseases in the U.S.  A database will not improve tracking time.

This is the MOST HATED agricultural program of our time.  There are thousands of people across the country who are fighting NAIS tooth and nail and feeling like govt. is ignoring our pleas to make some sense of it all and stop the program.

It is too costly for the small and organic producers who are using healthy sustainable practices. It will completely destroy the multi-billion dollar horse industry which is already reeling from drought and a stricken economy.  You think the auto industry failure will have a bad trickle down effect?  The damage this program has the potential to do to the agricultural industry and supporting industries is quite horrific too.  As our horse farms go out of business so do feed stores, farm equipment dealers, tack dealers, tanners, apparel companies, vet supplies and veterinarians, horse show venues, equine fairs, truck and trailer sales, fencing suppliers, construction companies and the list goes on. 

The commercial Ag interests make money on tags and equipment - while we lose our whole livelihoods because we cannot comply with this program.  The cost of tagging and tracking the few chickens I have exceeds the value of keeping them for the few eggs I get.  I cannot microchip my horses for the risk of infection, abcesses and cancerous tumors caused by the chips.  I can't enjoy recreational uses of my horses if I have to report their every movement - trail rides, shows, fairs, vaccinations etc. within 24 hours to my government.  My horses are already taking part in disease control - NAIS does nothing for me, my animals nor my neighbors but add costs and allow the USDA to arbitrarily come on my property to kill my animals if someone two miles away turns up with a sick animal.  This is a violation of my constitutional rights.

President Obama, if you support NAIS you have been misinformed and cuckholded by the very AG interests you said in your campaign that you wouldn't take contributions from to avoid being in their hip pocket!  There is a wealth of "alternative" information available to you right now so that you may make a real informed decision on the subject.  You have the power to protect my farm and my children's right to have their horses in peace by instructing your new Agriculture Secretary to put a stop to NAIS.  If this is forced on us, my kids will have to give up their pets because we can't afford the additional expenses.

Please, I ask you to visit
http://www.nonais.org
http://libertyark.net/
http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/
 
Joeyj
1/14/2009 2:51 PM
One of the many problems with NAIS is the USDA has written into the documents that vets are to take "sightings" (the USDA's word) of unregistered animals and report them to the USDA as in violation.  Why would any farmer want to have vet out to diagnose a sick animal knowing that the vet is a spy for the Government?   If anything disease outbreaks will have a much better chance of taking hold thanks to NAIS. NAIS will not stop disease nor will it save lives.  NAIS stops at the slaughterhouse door.  NAIS was written by Big AG and the RFID industry for themselves.  It is to make them money off those who can least afford it, and drive any competition, no matter how small, out.
NAIS will put many small businesses out of business, i.e. feed stores (they deal mostly with small farmers and homesteader), tack shops, motels that cater to farmers and horseback riders,  and even the vets, who specialise in livestock care. 

 
modurk
1/14/2009 2:53 PM
This is still america right? We still get to choose organic locally grown food vs GMO radiated chemicals?  Don't let the govt and corporations take away our rights. Moms of america vote with your wallet!
 
asklynn
1/14/2009 3:46 PM
I can certainly believe NAIS to be the most hated ag program of all time; it seems to be the most unknown, as well!  I am not a farmer, but I know quite a few.  It's mind-boggling to me that 9 out of 10 of them have never heard of NAIS!  And if they have even heard murmers, it hasn't been explained just how relevant it is to their livlihood and how adversely it will impact us all.  Working farmers have little time to spend online, and I'm not sure how to get the real facts out to the folks who need them most.
Lynn 
 
Pameladragon
1/14/2009 3:57 PM
NAIS is simply wrong for America and Americans!  It will seriously encroach on our privacy and right to property.  There are already perfectly good programs in existence for tracking disease in animals.   

NAIS is NOT about food safety but about control of our food supply.  It leaves off just when the problems begin, at the slaughter house.  Most food-born illnesses originate in filthy slaughter houses when the meat is contaminated with fecal matter.

The food we raise on our small farm is wholesome and we are proud to be able to raise all of our own food and not be dependent on Big Ag.

Mr. Obama, if you care about America, you will instruct your Undersecretary of Agriculture to end NAIS immediately!  This is not legislation but just a mad scheme cooked up by Big Ag and the USAD!

PLEASE STOP NAIS NOW!!!
 
TexasHorseman
1/14/2009 3:58 PM
There's so much wrong with this program, fromt he multitude of fees, to the immense bureaucracy that would be required to track it, to the senseless inclusion of whole species that *never* enter the US food supply.  It would enormously increase the COST OF FOOD to the American people.

In this time of budget shortfalls and weak economy, WE CANNOT AFFORD NAIS.  We couldn't afford it when the economy was booming -- now it will cause increased hardship not only on the backroad but up and down "Main street" -- please just shut it down NOW.
 
JudithM
1/14/2009 4:00 PM

The conventional model of agriculture has led to corporate control of the food supply, pollution of our air and water, poisons in our foods, failing rural communities, greater dependence on foreign oil, and a disease epidemic in this country. The local, sustainable agriculture movement can reverse these trends.  

But NAIS threatens the growing movement for local foods and sustainable agriculture.   Under NAIS, factory confinement farms (CAFO's) can use a group identification number and escape most of the costs, while a sustainable pastured poultry producer would have to tag every chicken.  NAIS would impose prohibitive costs, in both time and money, on small producers and create incentives for CAFO's controlled by huge corporations.

For more information on NAIS, you can go to www.FarmAndRanchFreedom.org or www.libertyark.net

 
busy bee
1/14/2009 4:31 PM

The comments are right on. Please stop NAIS and give America back to the Americans. NAIS should be illegal in this country. It will raise the cost of everything in a time when we are hurting. Micro Chips have been known to cause cancer in horses. My animals are not a threat to this country. My Dad fought in the second world war for our freedom and the USDA wants to take that away. When did it beocme illegal to pursue our right to happiness without government intervention..NAIS is an intrusion into our privacy. I do know it goes against the constitution of this United States.  I can't beleive this is even happening. When it first started i thought this is so bad it will never happen. Now I live in fear of my own government taking my pets from me with all the costs and invading my private life. When someone isn't breaking the law they shouldn't be put into a National computer and have their pets that they paid for be put in a National herd and our property put into this too.  The USDA  will make criminals of us if we refuse and try to keep our rights as American Citizens.

 
Morganner
1/14/2009 4:37 PM

I will add my agreement to NO NAIS.  I am not a farmer, but I do have a small horse farm.  We enjoy trail riding, and also showing at state and county fairs.  The State of Illinois attempted to mandate the *voluntary* premise ID program last year for those of us wanting to show at any IDOA sponsored shows.  The opposition to this was enormous and IDOA did withdraw that requirment..  But we have not won the war, just one little battle.  This is something that all Americans, whether you own livestock or not, should be concerned about. 

 
JohnOD
1/14/2009 5:47 PM
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There are other problems with NAIS.  The criminal corporations involved with genetic engineering are planning to release genetically modified animals soon, also with no safety testing, and little regard to global justice and the implications for contamination of our livestock heritage.  NAIS is being pushed by these corporations, so there will be a database of all natural seed stock available, when the time comes to destroy animals in citizens hands to be replaced by GE animals patented by these corporations.  Think I exaggerate?  The FDA has already issued statements that the genetically engineered animals are planning to be approved.  These are world class crimes against humanity being sponsored by the US government.  It is disgusting.  NAIS is just part of this puzzle.  Many of us are prepared to defend our livestock with whatever means are necessary.

 
BarbaraS
1/14/2009 6:07 PM
If jmcdonald thinks licensing farms would help prevent disease,  I'd like to suggest that the government  license children who are much more likely to spread a disease than my horses.   In fact, we could tag those children and have their parents file movement reports within 24 hours to find out who they've commingled with.   Then when  a childhood disease is detected, the gov't can lock down a 6 km radius around that child's home.  At least, we know that depopulation is not an option for children.  Even USDA wouldn't go that far.

NAIS is more likely to cause a disease than protect us from one.  I'm sure other livestock owners, like myself,  are pondering whether vaccinating our animals will mean losing our Fourth Amendment rights. It's eating me up inside worrying if being a responsible horse owner means having my rights taken away.  I know that will happen, because Neil Hammerschmidt, wouldn't give me a straight answer when I questioned him about it. 

Why are we allowing people who work for the federal government to openly violate the Bill of Rights?  When did big business and international trade become more important than the Constitution?  I would like to see President Obama keep his oath to defend the Constitution, and his promise to protect small farms.  NAIS must be stopped, or this country will no longer be the symbol of freedom that it has prided itself on. 

 
Capytan
1/14/2009 6:34 PM
I am a small farmer and a horse owner that supports 4-H.  NAIS will wipe out the small family farm and one of the few things available to young children to stay out of trouble:  horses and showing them.  Most 4-H participants are on a week to week schedule as to what they can afford to do with their horses.  The NAIS guidelines make the chip implant, movement fees, veterinary requirements and everything associated with it contrary to to the survival of the 4-H programs.  This is not a food safety program! Horses are not a food animal.  It is purely a power play by big Ag to control the entire agricultural world, here and abroad. The premise registration is an International Law term intentionally used in the NAIS language that will come into play later if this program is allowed to continue.  The millions of dollars wasted on the NAIS program could be better utilized as grants to help start sustainable and organic farms across America!
 
NoNAISWA
1/14/2009 6:38 PM
The implementation of NAIS should be terminated.  

Any property that has potential to make a $1000, or has made $1000, whether they own animals or not, is subject to NAIS.

Do you really want to register your private property?

Do you really want to electronic identify your animals?

Do you really want 24/7 surveillance?

Go to www.nonaiswa.org for actual documents obtained under FOIA/PDA that show you the truth on this program.
 
GrannySue
1/14/2009 8:16 PM
!00's of millions spent in 4 years to promote this travesty, while FORBIDDING companies to privately test for BSE? Cutting official testing for brucellosis because they can't afford it? Who is the USDA kidding, anyway?

What NAIS WILL do:

Drive small farms out of business and eliminate an individual's right to grow food for his own consumption. What will this do?

Eliminate farm-to-school programs, triple meat prices (multiply that for organic), increase produce prices (fertilizer will be at a premium), increase prices for all animal based clothing (angora, cashmere, wool, alpaca, mohair, leather, suede, etc), increase prices of dyes, adhesives, and other everyday items, increase prices on many medications and almost all vaccinations (things like flu shots require eggs). NAIS will increase factory style farming and all its attendant dangers and other problems.

Why would the USDA official coop agreement with Illinois state that they wish the state to convince "farmers to register their farms as premises" - given semantics is an issue with "official" documents? The legal definition of a premise is a conveyance on a deed...

Why would farmers be called stakeholders? The legal definition of a stakeholder is someone who holds property for its rightful owner...

Volunteering for NAIS effectively signs over property (to whom? or what?), and makes you a tenant on your own farm.

A couple more places to check for NAIS info:

http://www.naisinfocentral.net has the coop agreements for several states, copies of official USDA docs and much more information.

http://www.nonais.org is a blog, with hundreds of links to more information on NAIS, both here and abroad, both government and citizen generated.

http://www.nicfa.org has information on several questionable USDA raids, as well as much information on the NAIS program.

http://www.naisSTINKS.com has articles published from all over the world, as well as commentary. (Lots of R-Calf articles, too)

Also every state has a yahoogroup against NAIS where more information on what is going on locally with the program can be found.

With all of the issues covered in these 27 or so comments only the tip of the iceberg of NAIS problems has even been touched on. This program should be abandoned in its entirety, immediately, and permanently. We need a strong dose of REALITY - and accountability in Washington DC - not more "programs and legislation."
 
Rhon
1/14/2009 8:19 PM
 In addition to all comments above, I would simply add, it is no secret NAIS is supported by many animal rights groups as well as some "vegan" supporters.  I've often read Animal Rights Activists (ARA's) as well as Vegan's state their support for programs that would limit if not eliminate agricultural (and recreational) activity involving animals for any purpose. The ARA's and Vegans often have an agenda that infringes on others rights excessively. 

Microchipping is proven to cause serious health issues in animals. Nobody should be forced to microchip their animals... especially when they are not intended for consumption.

NAIS  also infringes on peoples right (among several other rights) to choose the food they consume and how it is processed. This country simply needs to focus on import and export issues, and those who choose to participate (importing & exporting) should pay all costs . Domestic agriculture and livestock should be left out of that debacle. Not everyone desires to raise food for import or for export... and this administration should recognize that fact. 

Victory Gardens were popular during World War II as a means of allowing people to supplement and control their food supply. How can the Obama administration, in good conscience, place a Victory Garden at the White House, yet support a program that severely restricts its' own citizens rights to purchase and/or produce and consume foods of their choice? Given what NAIS is all about, doesn't a Victory Garden for this administration seem to be a tad elitist? Not being "smarty" - just asking.

Respectfully,
Rhon 
 
Manabi
1/14/2009 8:25 PM
NAIS would destroy the small farmer who is already grasping at straws to survive.  NAIS is invasive, expensive and will do nothing to protect the food supply.  I will only eliminate the small farmer,
 
Cloie
1/14/2009 9:40 PM
I probably have more detailed records about my horses than NAIS could ever require.  I do it because I am a responsible person and I care (and care for) my horses.  I DO NOT think the government needs to regulate my transporting of my horses for breeding purposes, trail rides or show competitions.  Sadly, some children dont get the care that my horses receive.  Why would I want to fill out a ton of papers for any reason and why would the government benefit from knowing where my horses are going in a trailer???  I dont visit the slaughter houses nor the sale pens...
 
HolisticFood
1/14/2009 9:40 PM
NAIS is asinine. When did we allow Administration to dictate Education, Health, and now Agriculture? Education, Health, and Agriculture should dictate Administration. Teachers, Doctors, and Farmers are supposed to be the authorities. When did we forget this? They are the ones working up close with the varied realites of life that require stewardship, not mindless answering to a computer system. We have allowed Administration to value life and health based on a select few criteria that feed into some cooked-up central software of profit. 

Biodiversity is the only way that Nature creates true health. Giant monoculture factory farms create disease because of lack of diversity and toxic methods. It is a myth that natural methods don't work. Anyone who does honest research discovers it is the opposite. Let Farmers, Teachers, and Doctors tell the Administration what they find in the field. The Administration, or Big Brother, has no idea what is in the field. It only pushes its latest ideology for Profit, while it normalizes the idea of disease.  

Turning biodiverse healthy systems into mono-widgets is not sustainable, and will implode just as our Economy has--because it is based on WRONG values. Let us be stewards of the land, of nature, of our children, of our common sense!
  
 
mopry
1/15/2009 2:04 AM
President Obama,

I ask that you look into this agribusiness program called NAIS, that is being shoved down the throats of people with complete disregard of the responses to the program... President Obama one point I would like to put forward is that the people recently have voted to shut down all slaughter of horses in this country and so no horse goes to slaughter in this country... then why exactly are horses being treated as cattle as per NAIS in the very same manner as cattle like they are part of the food chain... I know that you will be advised by the very same people that are trying to shove this program down the throats of the American by the bureaucrats in the USDA... So Sir I suggest that you put a researcher on the NAIS program in Austrailia. Britan, and Netherlands and see for your self results that have created damage in Horses, cancer in animals, and many other problems to many to list...
      Again Sir imagine another industry the equine industry, being sent slipping down the slippery slope. I just dont think we need any more industry in distress yet we are fixing to cripple the farmer how long do you see us being the leader in feeding the world ?
 
pless
1/15/2009 4:55 AM
We need to stop NAIS,no need to hinder our small farmers,with a story of food safety ,when it's really food control.Farmers are like most right now,struggling to
keep their farms and don't need any additional cost.Nais is not a good idea,don't
given to industrial pressure,from big chemical and pharmaceutical companys that
want to control the food industry.Just say no to NAIS.

                                                                                                       Pless
 
RichH
1/15/2009 5:23 AM
Even ignoring the massive costs of this useless program and the obvious infringements on several Constitutional rights, the NAIS will surely drive the small, independent farmer and rancher out of business in short order.  Agricultural diversity will virtually disappear, leaving only the large "factory farms" able to do business.

But the NAIS has more far reaching facets in that it will impact every person in the US who owns a few farm animals either as pets or as a home-grown food source.  It will impact all horse owners in the US as well as the family who keeps a few head of livestock (chickens, goats, cattle or pigs) for their own consumption.  It will impact those who are trying to keep heritage breeds of farm animals from dying off.

It will also impact virtually all of the animal sanctuaries in the US...the majority of which are small, grassroots sanctuaries.  The costs of trying to comply with this program will simply drive them out of business.  As the director of one such sanctuary, I know that there is no way I could keep my sanctuary open and functioning if NAIS ever becomes a reality.  And these are animals that will never enter the food chain.

The NAIS is a classic case of "big government" at its worst and it should be stopped before it progresses any further.  Premise ID's encumber private property thus devaluing it dramatically.  The concept of a "national herd" flies in the face of private ownership.  The NAIS also gives the USDA the authority to enter private property at any time, without a warrant or cause, and destroy private property.  Yet nothing in the NAIS plan will do anything to improve the health or safety of the American food supply.
 
asdff
1/15/2009 6:08 AM
Be sure to check <a href="http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004sPi&lsr=0#comments ">change.gov Support local farms - stop NAIS</a> and vote.  We don't want to split the vote.

More information can be found at <a href="http://nonais.org">No Nais dot org</a>
 
Common Sense Girl
1/15/2009 6:11 AM
No NAIS, it opens the door for people to be next, and frankly, I do not want to eat an animal that has had an NAIS chip known to cause cancer.
 
eileenfar
1/15/2009 6:39 AM
While I recognize the technology appeal of an automatic way to track animals, it is extremely important that we not fall into an expensive, ineffective trap in mandating electronic tracking that blasts Constitutional protections into oblivion and makes the costs of owning (or farming) prohibitive for all but agribusiness and the wealthy.

Aside from the privacy, freedom from unreasonable search/seizure issues, commonsense was turned on its head when "accommodations" to agribusiness allow for a single identifier for entire herds but a small premises/small farmer/hobbyist is required to pay for individual animal tracking, even of pets, at prohibitive cost.
 
AgainstNAIS
1/15/2009 7:04 AM
In addition to the great comments already made about the problems with NAIS, it also will not work.

We have seen many cases of databases (no-fly iist, FBI terrorist list) with bogus information.  The CDC tried to implement a program that reported every suspicious illness activity and almost started a panic over small pox.

NAIS involves producers (farmers, ranchers) reporting the movements of millions of animals per year into one of several private databases. If this information is incorrect, which it will be given the number of entries or not timely, which it will be because many producers do not have computers or internet access, the databases are totally worthless. There is absolutely no way that NAIS can achieve a 48-hour traceback.

Keeping data in multiple private databases will also result in massive problems trying to sync up  animal movements, which supposedly will only be done once there is a disease reported. Add to this that the producers oppose and detest  this program and now totally distrust the USDA and the state ag animal health departments.  Add to this that the contact information in the premise id database is not current or correct, since much of it was obtained through data-mining.  A NAIS traceback will make the two recent FDA/CDC salmonella tracebacks, which took months and focused on the wrong vegetable, look like models of efficiency.

From a technical standpoint it is senseless to have databases with millions of entries regarding the movements of healthy animals; the possibility of a false disease reporting is way too high. Read about the CDC and lessons learned.

Is NAIS  really something we want to continue as our one-stop solution for all livestock disease problems, across all states,  for reassuring all of our export markets, and for reassuring the consumer about food safety, even though NAIS traceability ends at the processing plant?

We don't need the USDA  using our tax dollars to hire public relation firms to try to sell a worthless program to us. We don't need talking points, we don't need spin, we don't need word games, where voluntary now means coercive.  We also don't need the USDA and state ag departments treating producers with disrepect and contempt (some of the FOIA memos coming out of the state ag departments are real eye-openers).  We need a government that is in touch with reality and has the honesty to look for solutions that work for all parties.

For years we have had great results with our state-based livestock disease programs,  with USDA and FDA food inspections, with quarantines of imported livestock. We are throwing away systems that have worked for a system that is total lunacy.

 
buzz 01
1/15/2009 7:11 AM

Mr President,
    I know you will be very busy in the weeks to come, but I hope you will have time to read the post that are comming from each and every one of these very concerned people.  This is the heart of America that feeds America and dont wipe out the little guy, vote no to NAIS

 
lolag
1/15/2009 7:45 AM
Mr President
In the hard economic times that are already here and in the harder times to come, this will only hurt us all.  This will kill the local farms that support the local economies and insure we maintain our health.  Lets support our local communities and help the small businessman.  Food will become increasing important for all families as the depression really sets in.  Lets support our health, and the local communities.  Vote no to NAIS
 
Mama J
1/15/2009 8:48 AM
Please.  NAIS does not increase the safety of our food (the scare tactics they've used to the contrary - I'm one of those who actually looks at statistics instead of panicking when I'm told to, and it took me almost half an hour to find the information that indicated that Mad Cow is NOT the "big bad wolf" that the USDA wanted us to believe to make it easy for them to take our rights).  

If we want to have safer food, we need to eat more locally.  NAIS will cause the demise of countless small, local farmers, making it all but impossible to eat locally - and if we want to grow our own meat, not selling it to anyone else? We'll still have to sign up with the government to do so!  So much for the argument that it's for our own protection to help us "track" any contaminated food. 

Even more disturbing is that the USDA was told, by Congress, to keep NAIS voluntary, and so they started pressuring the states (using federal funds) to enact legislation that would effectively make NAIS mandatory on a state level, thus trying an end run around Congress.

I'm think that not only should NAIS be abolished in any way, shape, or form, since it's already contaminated with the way USDA has acted about it, but that there should be a thorough investigation and housecleaning at USDA to find, the remove, those responsible for coming up with, and approving, these kinds of behaviors in an obvious attempt to help "big agriculture" at the expense of the ordinary person.

As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up a little essential liberty for a little safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."  

Mr. President, you say that you are one of us.  Please, prove it.  Rein in the USDA.  Put an end to NAIS, and send the message that our rights are NOT for sale to the highest bidder. 
Or to anyone else.

 
Riesart
1/15/2009 9:37 AM
Mr. President:
This is just another misinformed piece of legislation. Tracking methods are already in place. Ear tags, brands and other means of identification are already standard. Why do we (THE PEOPLE) need to spend millions of dollars on something that will not be as effective as what is already IN place.
Several years ago when there was the sick cow in place, it did not take anytime at all to find out the cow came from CANADA. This was done with out NAIS!
Please, keep government out of farming and other industries that it does not need to regulate. Since the departments of the USDA, supposededly can not disclose information between them, how is it NAIS is waiting on information from NASS to make some of its decisions on farms that are not complying with its LAWS?
Try a novel approach-Put a person in charge of AGRICULTURE that actually understands and is willing to listen to FARMERS and RANCHERS.
Thank you for your time and am looking forward to see what changes you can make-if Congress will just pay attention-in the coming months and years.
 
Roaring Ridge
1/15/2009 9:45 AM
I am a farmer and speak with full knowledge on this subject.  This is my field of expertise.
NAIS is not necessary.  It is only going to be of any benefit to big agriculture that exports
It is an unnessary burden on the farmers.  Plus an expense that can not be absorbed
along with all of the other expenses they already have.  The margin of profit is so low
that it is hard to survive as it is.  Plus where is the money coming from to pay the workers this will have to be hired to monitor and implent this program?  There is far
too much red tape right now.  And far too many things the government can't pay for or
monitor right now.  How can they add more?
Regards,
Harriet Simpson/Hines
John L Hines 
 
nkycarbon
1/15/2009 10:22 AM
If NAIS is as described here it is a bad idea. 

However the NAIS website says voluntary five different ways in it's description.

What is making NAIS manditory and leading to the issues described here? 

(voting it up not to eliminate NAIS but for someone to get to the bottom of why it claims to be voluntary and feels totalitarian to those it impacts the most.  Did a few individual states mandate this with no protection for small business?  Are insurance companies or some other business forcing compliance with this program?)
 
JustSayNo2NAIS
1/15/2009 10:24 AM
I have been against NAIS since this insane idea came about.  It is wrong for America and the little farmer/rancher/organic grower. Its another case of Big Brother Is Watching You type of deal.  I, for one, don't want the Gov't. in my business any more then I have to.  I am a small ranchette and I don't produce anything for anyone except for my own family.  If NAIS is implemented the small farmers and ranchers will be the hardest hit.  LIke another poster said, it's just another way to get money, as if we had anymore to give.  This economy can't support another costly program especially when it's the little guy that has to pay the most.  It's just not a good idea on all counts.  Just Say NO 2 NAIS. 
 
Mr. Pio
1/15/2009 11:49 AM
This is the United States of America not the United States of Mansanto thanks! Do not chip our animals thanks!
 
amylulu
1/15/2009 11:54 AM
This is the biggest piece of BULL SHIT legislation yet!! The real hidden agenda is to collect more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ from the socialistic government that WILL be in place as soon as OBAMA becomes the "prez". Like WHO do you think can afford more "TAXES"????????????????????? Certainly NOT the hard working class farmers and such that make this great countries economy work!!! Get REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont you think that we are already taxed to death???  Vote NO to NAIS!!!!
 
MJoakley
1/15/2009 12:05 PM
Under the current NAIS Premises ID, land contol and ownership is acutally conveyed to the federal government via the USDA. 

this last month more than 150 land protections bills simultaneously landed in Congress and were rolled into one huge land omnibus bill called the US Land PReservations ACT.  Far from being a coincidence, this was nothing less than the recording of all lands owned by the federal government and used as collateral on the funds borrowed to bail out WAll Street.

Lands seized by NAIS under PRemises ID are added to this cataloguing of land assets in what is a debt swap for assets borrowing plan.

This program needs to end right now.  As someone else here stated, disease control, animal tracking is already in place and very effective without this invasive and unnecessary program.

END NAIS NOW!!

Marti Oakley/  www.ppjg.wordpress.com
 
superpet
1/15/2009 12:11 PM
I wouldn't say eliminate NAIS but to revise it.  Animals have gone without rights for far too long.  And the corporate farmers have taken advantage of this.  Smaller farms need to take better care of their animals because of the smaller scale they work with.  Corporate farms are an assembly line making huge profits.  Doing away with NAIS won't solve anything.  It needs to be REVISED. 
 
3H-Rider
1/15/2009 12:21 PM
nkycarbon,

In the beginning the USDA presented the NAIS as a voluntary program (at all levels). It was to stay that way for a certain period of time and then become mandatory (at all levels). When it became obvious that no one was going to sign up for this program, the USDA (Federal level) decided to use the state systems to do their dirty work. They threatened to withhold federal funding from state Ag depts until the state depts got enough "premises" registered. In an effort to get their federal funding some states went too far. Many states registered people without their knowledge or consent and one state went so far as to deny children the right to show their animals at the state fair unless their parent's premises was registered (this law was overturned). The last I've heard some states are now requiring vets to report the names and locations of their clients so they can be registered, with or without their consent.

In using the states to do this the USDA can claim the program is still voluntary (at the Federal level, but they don't clarify). They're doing this so people like you will go to their website, see the program is "voluntary" and walk away thinking folks who oppose the NAIS are reactionary alarmists. Unlike you most people would have just walked away and I thank you for taking the time and caring enough to ask the question.

One last point I'd like to mention is that when the NAIS first began the official website contained a huge amount of information. Since people began to oppose the NAIS much of the info about the parts we oppose has disappeared from the website, but still remains in effect.
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