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
  • 3
  • 8
**NAIS**; also Codex Alimentarius, OIE, and WTO
Topic Started: Thursday, 29. December 2005, 11:26 (1,802 Views)
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

American Horse Council Press Release
Contact: American Horse Council
AHC@horsecouncil.org

First Microchip Approved for Equine Use in NAIS

WASHINGTON, DC –The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the approval of Digital Angel Corporation’s (formerly Destron Fearing) Life-Chip equine radio frequency identification (RFID) injectable transponder for use in horses. The industry expects that in the future additional companies will apply for USDA approval of equine microchips to be developed and sold in the U.S.

Microchips are a valuable tool to the equine industry to identify horses, whether as proof of ownership if lost or stolen, or to identify horses in breeding or boarding operations, competitions or domestic and international travel. The LifeChip is not only compliant with all U.S. animal safety standards, but also with the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). This microchip fits the standards used across the globe. It contains a passive transponder programmed with a unique 15-digit number that can be read by any ISO-compliant reader. As long as the reader is ISO-compliant, it does not matter what brand it is, the microchip will be read.

Digital Angel’s new LifeChip can also be used for participation in the NAIS, a voluntary program developed by USDA to enhance animal disease traceability through standardizing the identification of premises, livestock and animal movements. It is the first microchip to be approved for use in the NAIS.

One of the recommendations the Equine Species Working Group made to USDA when reviewing how the equine industry might fit into the NAIS suggests that the ISO/ANSI compatible RFID chip (11784/85, 134.2 kHz) be the recommended standard of electronic equine identification to control disease and for uniformity and compatibility necessary to achieve the goals of NAIS. The LifeChip satisfies this standard.

The LifeChip microchip also has a BioThermo temperature-sensing technology feature. This feature allows the horse’s temperature to be read at the site of the microchip’s implantation, an easy and safe way for owners, breeders, veterinarians, etc. to perform this common task. The recommended site for implantation is in the nuchal ligament on the left side, in the middle third of the neck, halfway between the ears and the withers.

Additionally, each microchip is capped with a patented, biocompatible material called BioBond which prevents migration from the site of implantation, an item that was necessary to gain USDA approval.


As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.

The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved implanting microchips in humans, the manufacturer said it would save lives, letting doctors scan the tiny transponders to access patients' medical records almost instantly. The FDA found "reasonable assurance" the device was safe, and a sub-agency even called it one of 2005's top "innovative technologies."

But neither the company nor the regulators publicly mentioned this: A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats.


http://www.comcast.net/news/technology/ind.../09/759002.html
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Thanks for posting this Joey. I believe an article about this is also in our NAIS thread, but it's important enough that it deserves its own thread!
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Didn't know that. Sorry for spamming. :)
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

:) Spam away anytime. As a matter of fact, I'm going to add a related article that I previously posted in the NAIS thread too. :)
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

American Horse Council Press Release
Contact: American Horse Council
AHC@horsecouncil.org

First Microchip Approved for Equine Use in NAIS


WASHINGTON, DC –The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the approval of Digital Angel Corporation’s (formerly Destron Fearing) Life-Chip equine radio frequency identification (RFID) injectable transponder for use in horses. The industry expects that in the future additional companies will apply for USDA approval of equine microchips to be developed and sold in the U.S.

Microchips are a valuable tool to the equine industry to identify horses, whether as proof of ownership if lost or stolen, or to identify horses in breeding or boarding operations, competitions or domestic and international travel. The LifeChip is not only compliant with all U.S. animal safety standards, but also with the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). This microchip fits the standards used across the globe. It contains a passive transponder programmed with a unique 15-digit number that can be read by any ISO-compliant reader. As long as the reader is ISO-compliant, it does not matter what brand it is, the microchip will be read.

Digital Angel’s new LifeChip can also be used for participation in the NAIS, a voluntary program developed by USDA to enhance animal disease traceability through standardizing the identification of premises, livestock and animal movements. It is the first microchip to be approved for use in the NAIS.

One of the recommendations the Equine Species Working Group made to USDA when reviewing how the equine industry might fit into the NAIS suggests that the ISO/ANSI compatible RFID chip (11784/85, 134.2 kHz) be the recommended standard of electronic equine identification to control disease and for uniformity and compatibility necessary to achieve the goals of NAIS. The LifeChip satisfies this standard.

The LifeChip microchip also has a BioThermo temperature-sensing technology feature. This feature allows the horse’s temperature to be read at the site of the microchip’s implantation, an easy and safe way for owners, breeders, veterinarians, etc. to perform this common task. The recommended site for implantation is in the nuchal ligament on the left side, in the middle third of the neck, halfway between the ears and the withers.

Additionally, each microchip is capped with a patented, biocompatible material called BioBond which prevents migration from the site of implantation, an item that was necessary to gain USDA approval.


As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.

The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Quote:
 
But neither the company nor the regulators publicly mentioned this: A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats.
Why does this not suprise me? Tommy Thompson (former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services) went from his gov't position to a Board Position at VeriChip (IIRC VeriChip owns Digital Angel Corp).
Quote:
 
Thompson, until recently a candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, says he had no personal relationship with the company as the VeriChip was being evaluated, nor did he play any role in FDA's approval process of the RFID tag.

"I didn't even know VeriChip before I stepped down from the Department of Health and Human Services," he said in a telephone interview.


Thompson was head of HHS when they approved the chip. Thompson is also on record as being in favor of "chipping" Americans. Yet he "knew nothing" about VeriChip during his tenure at HHS. :bs
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Love the emote :)
Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Above article also reported in THE HORSE

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10607

USDA Approves Injectable Transponder for Animal ID System
Quote:
 
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced Oct. 11 its approval of the first injectable transponder for use in animal identification. The device, manufactured by Digital Angel, carries an official animal identification number (AIN), which is used to identify individual animals as part of the USDA's proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

"With efforts to register premises under the NAIS continuing to build momentum, we are looking ahead to the next phases of the program," said Bruce Knight, undersecretary for ...
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7570.cfm

RFID Chips Implanted in Humans, Pets and NAIS Animals May Cause Cancer
Quote:
 
-- When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved implanting microchips in humans, the manufacturer said it would save lives, ...

But neither the company nor the regulators publicly mentioned this: A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats.


Quote:
 
"The transponders were the cause of the tumors," said Keith Johnson, a retired toxicologic pathologist, explaining in a phone interview the findings of a 1996 study he led at the Dow Chemical Co. in Midland, Mich.

Leading cancer specialists reviewed the research for The Associated Press and, while cautioning that animal test results do not necessarily apply to humans, said the findings troubled them. Some said they would not allow family members to receive implants, and all urged further research before the glass-encased transponders are widely implanted in people.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Quote:
 
QUICK RELATED FACT:  WHO APPROVED THE...CHIPS?
The FDA is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, which, at the time of the original RFID chip's approval, was headed by White House appointee Tommy Thompson. Two weeks after the device's approval took effect on Jan. 10, 2005, Thompson left his Cabinet post, and within five months was a board member of VeriChip Corporation, the company who designed the RFID chip. He was compensated by VeriChip with cash and stock options. In his public appearances, he continues to claim the chips are completely safe and urges all citizens get the implants for the sake of the health and safety of their families. To date, neither Thompson nor any member of his family has had the chip implanted.

Source: Associated Press
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LeLoo
Member Avatar
Wild At Heart

Scary. I think I want no part of chips for me or my horses!!



Tommy Thompson. :bs

I love that emote too!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Quote:
 
The Senate Agriculture Committee approved its draft of the $300 billion 2007-2012 Farm Bill last week. The 1300-page bill, now headed to the main Senate floor, includes, as usual, billions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies for chemical and energy-­intensive crops, factory farms, and junk food purveyors, while "nickel and diming" organic agriculture, conservation, nutrition, and alternative energy programs. Let your Senators know you want to eliminate all taxpayer subsidies, other than those designed to make our food and farming system healthier and more sustainable, and specifically you want a "Fair Share" for organics commensurate with our current 3% market share. Besides billions in corporate subsidies, this version of the Farm Bill includes implementation of the controversial National Animal Identification System (NAIS). NAIS would require that all farmers, even those with just one cow, horse, or chicken, to implant their animals with an electronic tracking device and permanently report their movements to the USDA. This expensive Big Brother procedure, which lobbyists crafted so as to exempt factory farms, could put many small family farms out of business. Please contact your Senators to cut corporate subsidies, eliminate NAIS, and support increases in funding in the Farm Bill for for conservation, organic agriculture, healthy food and beginning farmer programs.

Take Action: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7765.cfm
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
grannycowgirl
Member Avatar
Kaye
2007
Thanks Ruth, I had seen this and forgotten about it , I will contact my senators today. I have emailed each of them about other issues. I always hear back, maybe it does some good.

My shop for unique gifts.

Horses always start, they never run out of gas, and they will not get you greasy.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LeLoo
Member Avatar
Wild At Heart

Yep, Thanks Ruth. I submitted the form on the OCA site, plus contacted Trent Lott & Thad Cochran through their websites with the same message. Sure hope they take note and address this.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

YW GC. I used to get replies back, but no more. Guess they're tired of me.;)

WTG Steph. I should do that too.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LeLoo
Member Avatar
Wild At Heart

Hasn't there been some concern about the microchips causing tumors in animals?? I can't believe they are even considering mandatory placement of these chips.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Yes, I just bumped the thread.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

This whole issue just makes me so nervous.
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LeLoo
Member Avatar
Wild At Heart

Me too Jenn, I emailed several friends, horsey & non horsey the links with hopes they'll let their voice be heard on this issue.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jennwarr84
Member Avatar
Esteemed Member

I hope this doesn't pass.
"We have an obligation. We are their keepers." ~Roy Jackson
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Just wanted to add website links here for anyone who wants to contact Senators Lott and Cochran via their websites.

http://lott.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fu...tUs.ContactForm


http://cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

If you need help writing, the letter suggested by the OCA is pasted below. Please feel free to add/delete/personalize the letter as you feel necessary.
Quote:
 
I am a concerned constituent who cares about the food I eat and the farms from which it comes.  I am writing to urge you to pass a Farm Bill that helps support family farmers, preserves natural resources, strengthens local food systems, increases access to healthy, high-quality, fresh foods, especially in the most underserved areas, and supports small and socially disadvantaged farmers.

I urge you to make the following adjustments to the current proposed Farm Bill draft: 

-      Cut mandatory NAIS from the Farm Bill.  This system should remain voluntary through APHIS and should not be required of small scale family farmers.

-      Cut corporate subsidies. The Farm Bill was originally designed to help family farmers. Thanks to lobbying pressure from big agribusiness, the majority of the subsidies now assist large-scale corporate practices. This distorts the market for family farmers both domestically and internationally.

-      $15 million a year in mandatory funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program; $5 million a year for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account program; mandatory funding for the Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Program and a 10% set aside of specialty crop funding to support minority, beginning and limited resource farmers;

-        Increase mandatory funding for the Community Food Project Grant Program to $30 million; 

- Allow public health approaches in Food Stamp Nutrition Education;

- Increase mandatory funding for Organic Research and Extension to $25 million a year support the creation of an Organic Conversion program; and 

- Increase mandatory funding for the Beginning Farmer and Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Programs.

Thank you for your work on behalf of our state.

Sincerely,
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
grannycowgirl
Member Avatar
Kaye
2007
Thanks again, Ruth. I had already emailed my senators, but I sent this letter as well. Can't hurt.

My shop for unique gifts.

Horses always start, they never run out of gas, and they will not get you greasy.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-digital-ang.../07/3078357.htm

Digital Angel Corporation Announces 2007 Third Quarter Financial Results

Quote:
 
- The Company's LifeChip® equine RFID injectable transponder was the first of its kind to be approved by the USDA for use as part of the National Animal Identification System.
Looks like their losses are about to turn into profits...hmmmmmm
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

USDA NEWS RELEASE
USDA, TEXAS/MEXICO BORDER COALITION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PAN AMERICA HOST INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2007--Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently joined representatives from Hispanic serving institutions and community-based organizations, along with state officials and producers to forge partnerships within Latino communities for outreach and education on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

“NAIS is made stronger by the wide variety of producers who participate and help shape the program,” said Bruce Knight, undersecretary for USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area. “Hispanic producers are an important and growing segment of the U.S. agricultural industry and it’s critical that they have a voice in the continued evolution and success of NAIS.”

The conference, hosted by the Texas/Mexico Border Coalition and the University of Texas Pan America November 5-7, gave participants an opportunity to learn more about NAIS, as well as to jointly develop NAIS outreach strategies tailored to the needs of Hispanic producers.

This meeting is the third in a series sponsored by USDA to provide representatives of minority groups with NAIS education and outreach. The other meetings were held with African American producers during June in Petersburg, Va., and with Native American producers during October in Albuquerque, N.M.

NAIS is a modern, streamlined information system that helps producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal health events in the United States. NAIS utilizes premises registration, animal identification and animal tracing components to both locate potentially diseased animals and eliminate animals from disease suspicion. It is a state-federal-industry partnership, which is voluntary at the federal level. For more information on NAIS, visit www.usda.gov/nais.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
grannycowgirl
Member Avatar
Kaye
2007
The reply from one of my Senators regarding Farm Bill 2007:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about the 2007 Farm Bill. I am glad to have the benefit of your views.



The Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act, the most recent omnibus Farm Bill, was passed on July 27, 2007 by the full House of Representatives. This bill reauthorizes and makes changes to various farm assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



Currently, the Senate is considering its version of this legislation. The Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee has indicated that he intends to complete the bill this month. Once the Senate has acted, a House-Senate conference committee will meet to reconcile the differences between the two bills and produce a final version that must be passed by both chambers and signed by the President.



Be assured that I will keep your views in mind as Congress continues to consider the latest version of the Farm Bill. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.



With best wishes, I am



Sincerely Yours,

Roger F.Wicker
Member of Congress

My shop for unique gifts.

Horses always start, they never run out of gas, and they will not get you greasy.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Isn't he in the House of Reps? That's odd that he would write you since the House already passed the bill and the Senate is working on it now, but hey, at least you got a reply. They usually don't send me anything unless it's a solicitation for a campaign contribution...
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
grannycowgirl
Member Avatar
Kaye
2007
You're right, Ruth, he is a Representative. I haven't heard from Lott or Cochran.

My shop for unique gifts.

Horses always start, they never run out of gas, and they will not get you greasy.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LeLoo
Member Avatar
Wild At Heart

Quote:
 
The American Horse Council (AHC) is reminding all members of the horse community to participate in the 2007 Census of Agriculture being conducted by the USDA.

The USDA census, taken every five years, is a count of U.S. farms, ranches, and the people who operate them. A link to the Census can be found on the front page of the AHC Web site 

The 2007 Census of Agriculture will be used to measure land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and many other areas. The AHC wants to ensure that the American horse industry is properly accounted for in the upcoming Census.

If your farm received a survey for census participation in the past (the last census was taken in 2002), the USDA will mail your farm a survey that you can fill in and mail back.

If your farm was not part of the 2002 Census, or you are not sure if you participated, you can fill out a basic USDA census registration form online by following the link from the AHC Web site. A survey will be mailed once this form is submitted online.


Continue reading
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
msequine
Member Avatar
Originator

Although their website ( http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/faq/faq.shtml ) says they won't share the info from this survey, I still *think* they' will start using these censuses to help phase in NAIS. They've changed the rules "after the fact" one too many times for me. I'm not filling one out.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Join us on:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · News · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3
  • 8


Use OpenDNS