Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Join us on:
We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board, ads are displayed, and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 8
**NAIS**; also Codex Alimentarius, OIE, and WTO
Topic Started: Thursday, 29. December 2005, 11:26 (1,804 Views)
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

I'm merging all the NAIS-related threads together.


Found this article in TX Newspaper. Sounds like NAIS.

EDIT: This IS due to the NAIS and other states WILL be following. See the post below this one. (Subject line has been changed accordingly)
~R

-----------------------

This new law is directly related to the USDA's National Animal Identification System (NAIS). More info on equine ID can be found on the American Horse Council website: http://www.horsecouncil.org/equineid.htm

---------------------------

From the Gainesville TX Daily Register:

Animal ID: Portent of the future
By ANDY HOGUE, Agriculture Editor

Quote:
 
The question in Austin and on farms and ranches across Texas this month is “how far is too far” when it comes to animal identification.

Government required animal Identification policy plans have gained momentum since transmittable infections such as mad cow and anthrax entered the media spotlight - so much momentum that the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) approved proposed regulations for Texas' premises and animal identification program Dec. 6.

The proposals would make it mandatory after July 1, 2006, for animal owners to register for a seven-digit identification number (good for two years) for each animal and “premises.”

“I feel that we're going to get this program,” said Wayne Becker, an agent of the Cooke County office of the Texas Cooperative Extension. “It's coming.”


Quote:
 
Becker urged farmers, ranchers and other animal owners to register while it's still free.

He said a long paper and records trail for each animal is necessary when attempting to track down the source of a disease.

The proposed ID plan doesn't only affect farms and ranches, but any owners or caretakers of land containing livestock, exotic livestock, poultry, or exotic poultry, according to a TAHC fact sheet. This means everything from a small zoo to a child raising a Boer Goat for an FFA project could possibly be affected.


Quote:
 
Evelyn Martinez, of the TAHC animal registration help line, was asked by this reporter Wednesday if the proposed regulations would affect household pet owners.

“That's what we're talking about today,” Martinez said. “You don't have to set up a premises for that (a house), but if you intend on selling the animal you are going to need a premises ID number for that.”



Quote:
 
“If they ever want to do anything with it, they will need to get a premises ID number,” she said.

By “do anything,” Martinez explained, she meant sale, slaughter, shearing milking or any other form of agricultural production, sale or transport.



Quote:
 
William Baldwin, a Cooke County rancher, said he opposes the ID plan.

“I'm definitely not for it,” he said. “The cost is going to get so big on it, that it will be just another large bureaucracy, in my opinion.”

He said most of the experienced ranchers with whom he has spoken disagree with the plan. The smaller ranchers, he noted, are not yet aware of the plan.

“I think it's going to be a big hassle for the cattlemen and it could put a lot of small operations out of business,” he said, adding that the owner of a small farm may have to hire a lawyer in the event of a registration dispute.


Quote:
 
“If you have 200 head of cattle and multiply that by $20, that would add up pretty quick ... That would definitely be a disadvantage to the plan,” he said.


Quote:
 
According to the fact sheet from the TAHC, three main components comprise the system.

Quote:
 
-- Premises identification. Premises identification defines a geographic site, such as ranches, farms, feedlots, livestock markets, veterinary clinics, livestock show, fair or exhibition sites, etc.. >SNIP<

-- Animal identification. Animal identification, when implemented, will require that certain species of animals are tagged with a uniquely numbered 15-digit electronic identification device when they are moved from their herd of origin, or are commingled with animals from other premises. >SNIP<

-- Animal tracking. Animal tracking, the final component of the national plan, is to involve recording and reporting animals moved, sold, commingled or slaughtered. Tracing is an integral part of disease eradication efforts, Becker noted.


On the Net:

Additional NAIS information and links can be found on the TAHC Web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/animal_id/index.shtml
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Anyone seen the Jan 06 issue of Equus? JUST got it in today's mail. On page 66, right hand column, there is a blurb about the National ID Program. I’ll paste some of what it says below (emphasis added is mine):

Quote:
 

National ID Program Gathering Information

Those who own livestock—including horses and ponies—are requested to supply information to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a program intended to identify specific animals in the United States and record their movement over their life spans.

Developed by the US Dept of Agriculture, (USDA) and state agencies in cooperation with industry, NAIS ultimately will yield a database that will facilitate tracking a sick or exposed animal for rapid disease containment.

Premises registration is the first component of the long-term project.  Forms are being distributed at the state level, through the mail, and online.  The information on properties with livestock will be maintained by the states.  ALL 50 are registering farms, farmettes, ranches, boarding facilities, and auction barns.

“We want to emphasize that horses count too,” says Marilyn Bassford, Maryland grant coordinator of the NAIS program.  Anyone who keeps at least one horse on his property is requested to fill out a premises identification form.  Owners who board horses do not need to register.

Plans for the national ID program to be in place by January 2009.  For more information go to www.usda.gov/nais/ or telephone your state’s agricultural department or animal health authority.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Here is a link to a powerpoint presentation from the American Horse Council regarding NAIS: http://usaip.info/USAIPEquineReport.ppt

Anyone interested in viewing it will need a copy of Microsoft PowerPoint. If you don't have PowerPoint on your computer, Microsoft offers a FREE viewer you can download at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx
(NOTE: This is the viewer only...you cannot use this program for anything other than watching PowerPoint presentations)

I'll paste some info from from the slide show:
-----------------
Quote:
 
1. Why is a national equine identification plan needed?
Control outbreak of contagious foreign diseases.
Protect animal and human health.
Address the threat of bio-terrorism.
Protect food and fiber livestock industries.
Maintain a stable economic environment.
Provide a 48 hour trace-back.
Insure freedom of movement of horses.
Sustain the ecological environment.


2. Are there benefits to a  national equine ID system?
Reduce potential effect and enhance control of equine disease outbreaks.
Maintain equine commerce and movement of horses in the case of a disease outbreak.
Assist equestrian events in ensuring a healthy environment for participating horses.
Expedite recovery and identification of horses in case of loss due to natural disaster, theft or accident.
Facilitate import and export of equines.
Uphold the horse industry as a responsible member of the livestock community.
Enhance the permanent identification of horses and assist in tracking ownership.


5.  How should horses be identified?
Capitalize on existing horse identification.
Breed Registration
DNA/Parentage Verification
Markings
Photos
Brands
Tattoos
8, 10 & 12 Character Microchips
New Radio Frequency Identification Devices



7.  What movements need to be tracked and recorded?
Interstate Commerce
When Health Certificates are required.
When horses go to:
Racetracks
Horse Shows
Horse Auctions
Trail Rides
Rodeos
Arena Events
Breeding
Veterinary Clinics


8. Where should the identification information be kept?
National USAIP Database
Centralized Equine Database
Appropriate Breed Registry
Performance Databases
Non-registered Horse Registry


10.  How do we track movements to meet 48 hour trace-back need?
Radio Frequency ID Devices
Hand Held Readers
Scanning Chutes & Gates
Data Entry
On-line uploads to national & central databases
Hard copy log books
Internet
e-Mail
Fax
Phone
What is the time frame? 48 hours – 30 days
Who is responsible?  Premises manager, event manager and/or horse owner


11.  What are the costs?
Establishing the National Equine ID System.
Developing a Centralized Equine ID Database.
Setting up the Equine ID Number Manager.
Selecting or designing the RF ID Device.
Creating the network for horse identification.
Starting a registry for non-registered equines.
Distributing and installing readers and scanners.
Instigating the processes to track and record equine movements.

Who Pays?
Congress
US Department of Agriculture
American Horse Council
AHC Member Organization
Microchip & RFID Companies
Premises Owners
Breed Registries
Breeders
The Horse Owners  (this is in bold face on the slide)
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Interesting article/viewpoint on the National Animal ID System.

http://magic-city-news.com/article_5192.shtml
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

I thought it was already expensive to own horses.
While i think it's probably a good idea, if for nothing else in case of theft or whatever, I don't see alot of folks being able to afford radio frequency ID devices, etc. etc. especially if they own alot of horses.
Even the tattoo'ing would be expensive (nothing is cheap).
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

It's going to be a very expensive mess. Many states are urging people to register their premises now -- before they implement the fees. Some states are requiring anyone with over 2 or 3 acres of land to register whether they own livestock or not. Other states are requiring anyone with a small garden to register their premises...

On a personal level, I don't like it, and I'm not sure how much good can come from it. They don't test that many cows for mad cow anyway. Only one out of a million...even McDonalds is complaining that they don't do enough testing. So how is registering these animals going to improve that?

Not only that, but the larger breeding operations will only have to register their animals by lots. Only the small land or animal owner will have to register each animal individually. Guess who will shoulder the larger part of the costs of this program?? I also have my doubts about the security of our information since they're already looking at outsourcing the management of this program to private corporations, who as we know, seldom do background checks on their employees, and many times outsource the jobs overseas. OK, I better get off my :soap:

Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Privacy was something I didn't mention.
One day, we'll have to register our dogs and cats. Etc.
Until it works up to:
Eventually, we'll have a chip imbedded in us, so wherever we go and whatever we do, the government will know.
Paranoid sounding. But, very likely and possible.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Yup, it does sound paranoid. BUT, I tend to agree with you. With the ability to link all your records with one chip (medical, banking, criminal, etc.), it's coming. Check out this article where they're already tagging waitresses in Las Vegas: http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/20...news/news01.txt

And this article where a dance club in Spain is already implanting the devices in members hands and allowing them pay with a wave of the hand: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38038

BTW the gov't and corporations have already made plans for tracking humans. Consider this remark by Delaware Senator Joseph Biden to Judge John Roberts at Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Sept. 12, 2005:
Quote:
 
Can a microscopic tag be implanted in a person's body to track his every movement? There's actual discussion about that. You will rule on that, mark my words, before your tenure is over.

Do a search for Tommy Thompson (former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and four-term governor of Wisconsin) and VeriChip (owned by Applied Digital Solutions). Tommy Thompson has joined VeriChip.

Here are a few links to get your started: http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?r...23:483452:FRONT
It's the very first article.

http://www.spychips.com/press-releases/ver...no-implant.html

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/spy_chips.html

VeriChip/Applied Digital Solutions is the company USDA is considering to handle the database info and registrations for the Nat'l Animal ID System. (see: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37347)

Bottom line...it sounds very scarey to me. I keep thinking they want us to be tagged with the same devices as our animals, and that sure gives a whole new meaning to "mark of the beast." Considering that current USDA plans state that those who have not registered their animals will not be allowed to buy/sell/breed (animals) and unregistered animals may also be subject to seizure, how far of a stretch is it to imagine that they would apply the same rules to those who refused to be chipped?

Just food for thought. (Now who sounds paranoid?)
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

I figure if I live on a boat in the ocean, I won't have that problem. lol
I just have to figure out how to load and keep the horses on it.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Another article regarding NAIS, and some quotes from the article:

http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2006/0...cal_state.2.txt

Quote:
 
NAIS is a combination brainchild of the USDA and the National Institute for Animal Agriculture whose corporate members include Cargill Meat Solutions, Monsanto Company, pharmaceutical giant Schering-Plough and the National Pork Producers Council. In 2002, the USDA, through the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) began drafting standards and a strategic plan to develop a "48-hour trace-back" system to stop any outbreaks of animal disease -- such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob's disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Quote:
 
As a 4-H leader and horse enthusiast, Brown says reporting animals going from one premises to another is a logistical nightmare. "Between March and August I would have over 1,100 incidences of animals coming and going (that) I would have to report on," she said.

But John Chatburn, ISDA animal industries deputy administrator, said ultimately that (that) may not be the case.

"The USDA has not put out the regulations yet, only the draft," he said. "There are a lot of things about this that are still up in the air."

That concerns legislative and computer systems analyst Vicky Davis of Idaho Falls.

"This is a snowballing Big Brother program," she said. "It will turn animal ownership into a privilege, not a right."

Davis said it could eventually lead to a plethora of mandatory health exams, vaccinations and how and where animals are kept.

"You have to look at it long-range to see how intrusive it is," she said.

Jason Ahola, University of Idaho beef extension specialist, said it is important to remember that the plan is only a proposal at this point.

"We don't have answers to some of the specifics," he said. "At this point there are a lot of unknowns about who will pay for the equipment and how all animal movement will be recorded."
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Here's an article from a cattle producer in IL. Presents a more personal point of view:
http://www.cattlerange.com/animal-id/freeman-r.html

And some quotes:

Quote:
 
I have read and reread most of the dialogue written about the need for animal identification.  Nothing that I have read warrants such a redundant program that seems to be full of cost overruns and less than competent administration.  Before we step into another program engineered by companies that operate on the periphery of our industry, with costs that will probably outdistance predictions, maybe we should expose this concept for what it really is.

One thing to be cognizant of is the fact that we have always had animal ID (fire brand) and trace back.  That is precisely how we have all but eradicated theft of our cattle and bangs from our cowherds.  And, I may add, that we have done that without the intervention of corporate America.

Quote:
 
But what are the costs going to be?  No one has given any real concrete evidence of costs.  Only speculation.  In one industry paper, the publisher used words like we “think” this is what it will cost and we “hope” this will be the premiums.  Any profitable business that foresees a new venture on the horizon first develops a cost analysis to see if it will be a sound financial move.  Then, and only then, does it proceed.  Is this what the tag and software companies have done ?

If one segment of the industry wants it while another segment pays for it, it will be a cost effective move for the company that desires it.  If that segment can inflate the price of the finished product to foreign markets because of animal ID while another pays for it, how great is that?  It appears to me that those who are pushing so hard for animal ID are building the cart first and then will decide how many horses it will take to pull it and whose stable the horses will come from.  Or maybe they don’t care. Maybe, their ones that stand to gain the most by it.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the financial windfall a company will experience by such a program.  All one has to do is to add up all the cattle traded on any given week, month or year.  Then, multiply that by what an ID is supposed to cost.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Last one (for a while anyway):
http://www.equineteleseminar.net/NAIS/signup.htm

This is an Equine Teleseminar (FREE) regarding NAIS on 20 March (Monday night). Just click the link above to sign up.

Quote:
 
A Discussion on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

The NAIS is currently billed as a means to track diseased animals, but many ranchers, breeders, and owners of many different species of animals are concerned about the ramifications, both long-term and short-term, as well as the REAL intentions of the program.

This is a FREE call, besides what your phone company charges you.

Join us on March 20, 2006 at 9 pm Eastern, 8 pm Central, 7 pm Mountain, and 6 pm Pacific time, for 90 minutes as we discuss the various aspects of the program, what people might expect from it, and what is currently required of them.  We will take your questions and comments, and will discuss as much as time allows.  This will be a panel discussion, so it won't be as interactive as some of our other calls.

You don't have to be a horse owner to appreciate this call - this program affects many industries: beef, swine, fish farms, chickens, turkeys, bison, as well as other exotic animals raised as food, and almost all other domestic animals.

Panelists to date:
Ron Freeman - Cattle Producer - article
Sharon Zecchinelli of NoNais.org
Karin Bergener, Esq. 
Stacy Mayer of AWhiteHorse.com

We will post more information about our panelists as they are arranged.

There is no charge to submit your question and get the call information.

Click the orange button below to signup for the call and to submit your questions/comments regarding the National Animal Identification System. 

Remember to reserve your copy of the audio and transcript files, so that you can refer to them in the future.  The NAIS isn't going away anytime soon, and you may need to refer to the information that we cover on the call.  When you order the files, you will have it all right at your fingertips.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

I think this is crazy. It's just a way to get more money from people. I have horses because I enjoy them, and now I am going to have to pay the government to enjoy them. I also heard that if you don't comply and they find out, they have the right to take the animal away or kill the animal without the owner even knowing. Don't know how true that is, but I did read it some where. I think it was an against slaughter forum or something. I guess I see the need in food animals, but my horses aren't food animals.

Jenn
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

That's how I feel Jen. I think they're playing on people's fears trying to get folks onboard with this program. Maybe if they had chosen a chipping company that didn't have political ties to DC, I would feel more comfortable about it. I don't know. As it stands now, I'm suspicious.

I don't mind a program for the food animals, but what exactly is wrong with the system we have now? I don't know if you remember (or heard) the joke a few years ago about the US being able to find a cow within 24 hrs and not immigrants, but as the joke went, if we issued each immigrant a cow as s/he entered the US, we would be able to find them at any given time. So, what has changed that we need a new system? I'm not in the industry, so I don't have any answers, and I haven't seen/read anything about what's wrong with the system we currently have in place.

Also, as the plan stands now, larger agri-businesses (those with lobbying power) will be somewhat exempt from this rule. They will be allowed to identify their cattle by lots--not individually. The smaller farmers/producers/owners are the ones who will have to bear the costs and have each head of cattle chipped with an ID.

I've read that with this program, gov't inspectors can come on your property at any time with no warrant, etc., and they do have the right to confiscate your animal if you fail to report within 24 hours any movement of that animal or any contact that animal may have had with other animals. I don't know about killing the animals, but then again, if they confiscate the animals, what do they plan to do with them, and who will bear the cost of their upkeep? The former owner? The taxpayer? Who?
At this point, I have more questions than answers.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

The government is getting to where they control everything. America isn't really free in some cases, especially if this passes. I wonder if the chips hurt the animals. I read in llamas it can sometimes spread to the brain and kill them. I just don't think this is right. All they want to do is make more money selling beef to other countries, but those other countries eat horse. This would definately be a pain for all the show people and trail riders. Even a small trip to the vet would be a hassle. It's just crazy.

Jenn
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

yeah! we should secede from the Union! This is war!

whoops, we've already tried that. Oh well.

I rarely read anything long in detail, so forgive me if this is in one of the above very long posts.
But am I to understand that if we ride our horses down the road, or back trail or whatever, that we would have to notify the goverment because technically, they're being moved?

They eat dogs other places too. Why aint they being ID'd and tagged?

Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

It's my understanding that you also have to notify them 24 hours in advance and let them know where your going. Seems like I read where you have to tell them what premise ID's you will cross along the way. Not sure about that though, because that could be a lot of researching. But yes, you have to notify them if the animal leaves the property for anything--a ride, vet visit, horse show, etc.

Jenn
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

well.. nice knowing y'all. i imagine i'll be locked up before long. lol
Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

Me too. But I did hear that the NAIS has been put off until 2009.
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

oh. 3 years. I could be dead and buried by then, so I reckon I'll wait to worry. :)
Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

Maybe by then people will have realized how crazy it is.

Jenn
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

yeah right. :)
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Quote:
 
I rarely read anything long in detail, so forgive me if this is in one of the above very long posts.
But am I to understand that if we ride our horses down the road, or back trail or whatever, that we would have to notify the goverment because technically, they're being moved?


That's it in a nutshell Joey. And any movement has to be reported within 24 hours or you could face fines or confiscation of your animals. There's now talk of including cats and dogs in this plan in the future. Oh yeah, if you don't have your animal and premises registered, you won't be allowed to buy or sell any livestock. That rule will probably be extended to the other animals as they're included.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Note: The booklet is a PDF file and will require Adobe Reader to view.

NEW BOOKLET!
May 2006--NAIS and Horses: The Facts Surrounding the National Animal Identification System as it Applies to the Horse Industry in the U.S.

http://www.horsecouncil.org/06%20ESWG%20-%...l%20Booklet.pdf

Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Ok.
Read it.

I wonder why they don't include humans in that?
We could all have chips inplanted and they could use gps to track us.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Don't think that hasn't been discussed. Especially considering the current VA fiasco. The problem right now is that the chips can be hacked. Once they figure out a way to prevent that, I think you'll see it become more mainstream than you'd like.

A friend who works with RFID technology says that they have some the size of a grain of sand (yep, smaller than a grain of rice) and they can be used for GPS tracking.

BTW, I only skimmed through the report. I plan to read it later, when I'm awake. ;)
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

That's it. I'm moving to a carribean island.
Who's with me? I'll need entertainment lol
Quote Post Goto Top
 
StacyeRichey
Member Avatar
minis are mighty

Can we bring the friendly staff from Steph's Mane Trip?

I'm going out to get some sunscreen!

Stacye
Rocking Kings Miniature Horses
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

yup! All are invited.. expecially their horses. :D
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

New article on NAIS in The Gaited Horse Magazine. The Summer, 2006 Issue (Vol 9, Issue 2) has devoted quite a bit of its space to the pitfalls of NAIS. If you don't have this issue, you can read the complete article online. Here's a link:
http://www.thegaitedhorse.com/nais.htm

And a few quotes from the (very long but thorough) article:

Quote:
 
...the federal guidelines list these among the animals that must be tagged and tracked:

    * Alpacas
    * Bison
    * Cattle
    * Chickens
    * Deer
    * Ducks
    * Elk
    * Goats
    * Horses
    * Llamas
    * Pigs
    * Sheep

Quote:
 
Activities Must be Reported  Any activity that will bring horses into contact with horses from other premises, or to premises where other owners’ horses have been, will be covered. A brief list includes:

    * Vet
    * Farrier
    * Shows
    * CTR
    * Endurance Rides
    * 4H meetings
    * Trainer
    * Stables commingling horses
    * Trail rides, public and private


Quote:
 
The plan also calls for veterinarians to report animals that aren’t tagged or registered to the authorities. There are no exceptions; under the USDA plan all livestock owners will be required to register and report even if they raise animals only for their own food or keep horses as companions or for draft or transportation. Religious exceptions are not allowed.

Quote:
 
The USDA plans to enforce the rules against livestock farmers who don’t comply, either federally, or through the states. Examples include proposed Texas regulations for fines of up to $1,000 per day plus criminal penalties for those who fail to register their premises and Vermont has indicated that it is considering fines of up to $5,000 per incident.

Quote:
 
On April 6, 2006, the USDA presented its new Implementation Plan. Even though the NAIS was introduced as voluntary, this plan sets forth goals for compliance. While the plan still speaks of voluntary participation, it also states that if 100% participation isn’t reached by voluntary means, the USDA will seek rules that make participation mandatory.

In a Dow Jones article, dated March 23, 2006, Michael Johanns, Secretary of the USDA, stated that USDA will not wait for the 2007 Farm Bill because they don’t want to be “slowed down.” In that same article he stated that the program must eventually be mandatory. So, while it may take some time to get there, the ultimate goal is clear.

Quote:
 
...the U.S. has already been very effective in finding cases with the current system of tracking cattle - a system of interlocking safeguards that the USDA regularly refers to as effective in protecting our food supply. 
Quote:
 
Likewise, working programs already exist that track diseases in other livestock.

Quote:
 
The cost to microchip or tag each animal depends on the species and who does it. For horses it can range from around $20 to do it yourself, to $35 or so for a microchipping service, to $180 or more for a veterinary 'house call'. Factor in the time involved in keeping track of all their registrations, and filing reports within 24 hours of every trail ride, vet visit, or lesson, and the costs expand dramatically. In other countries that have adopted mandatory premises and animal identification and tracking, costs have multiplied to twelve times the original fees per animal.

Quote:
 
Legally, livestock animals are a form of personal property. The NAIS plan refers to a “national herd”, indicating a government vision in which private ownership rights are no more; no one will be allowed to birth, acquire, own, or transfer livestock without government permission.

Quote:
 
The NAIS would actually subject the owner of a horse to far more surveillance than the owner of a gun. You can freely take a shotgun to your neighbor’s property, but if your children ride their ponies there, that will have to be registered with the government.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Create a free forum in seconds.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · News · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 8


Use OpenDNS