Old Big Brother Had a Farm

USDA ID-tag plan for farm animals has some small-scale farmers unhappy

Posted by Bricolage at 12:28 PM on 10 Mar 2006

The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants farm-animal owners to attach microchips or other ID tags to their furry and feathered charges so they can be monitored by a centralized computer network. Sounds like Animal Farm meets Big Brother. Yet, while some small-scale farmers are critical of the scheme, many in the agriculture community say it's high time the U.S. more carefully tracked livestock in order to curtail diseases like avian flu and mad cow. The question is how best to do it -- and the devil, as Muckraker discovers, is in the details.

new in Muckraker: Old Big Brother Had a Farm

For story: Old Big Brother Had a Farm
10 Comments | Post a Comment

The operative word is HAD....

Since when it is the government's business how many hens grandma has? Or where and when I take my horse? What this article doesn't' mention is that I will have to register my Premisis- read home/barn-(and pay for this), I will have to microchip my horses (read pay for this too). Furthermore, my horses will no longer be mine- they'll be part of a "national herd"- it's in the USDA language.

I will also have to tell a state official when I decide I want to take my horse to a rodeo, or for a stroll around the block. I'll have to let them know when I bring him back and I'll have to tell them what other horses I came in contact with. NONE OF THIS is their business.

NO NAIS!!!!

by jropergirl at 2:36 PM on 10 Mar 2006

My chickens are a part of the Nat'l Herd?

And your sheep, his goats, that horse. You know NAIS is headed down a very deep and slippery slope. Someone should look into the grants and "gifts" the individual state Agriculture Depts are getting. In Vermont it was a $114,000 grant and a $100,000 "gift" that was not earmarked and did not go through the Ways and Means committee.

We, the people, must wake up.

Henwhisperer

by Henwhisperer at 2:50 PM on 10 Mar 2006

NAIS should be 100% voluntary

I read the article "Old Big Brother had a Farm". It is a basic point that is being totally missed by the USDA and large producers. NAIS does not fit small producers. Even worse NAIS is a total disaster for homesteaders. The minimum cost of doing NAIS is going to run a homesteader or small farmer more than $500 per year. NAIS is not needed at these levels. Not for disease and certainly not for export profits, the original reason for NAIS.

Please keep spreadking the word of how badly NAIS will harm the very small livestock producers and people who raise their own meat. NAIS is unnecessary for these groups and should be kept 100% voluntary. That would make it workable. Then the producers who want the trace-back for the markets that demand it would be able to have it and the rest of us very small livestock producers would not be burdened.

I publish a blog http://NoNAIS.org which is my attempt to spread the word about NAIS. There are articles, sample letters, fliers, posters and handouts (see http://NoNAIS.org/handout).

Thank you,

Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm in Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://NoNAIS.org

Print this to pass out: http://NoNAIS.org/handout
Print this to hang up: http://NoNAIS.org/poster
Ad copy is available here: http://NoNAIS.org/ads

http://NoNAIS.org http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog http://HollyGraphicArt.com

by pubwvj at 4:11 PM on 10 Mar 2006

NAIS

I love the USDA comment that this wasn't going to cost much. Who do they think they are kidding? 1- cost of the tags or implants-I have horses-$35 per-that's times 10. If one has chicken at $3 per tag-100 chickens is .....duh, $300?? The cost of a scanner (probably a portable, so if I accidently "comingle", I can scan the other horses) $800-2800 or more. A high speed computer, my old one won't cut it: $750-1500 or more. High speed internet service for the reports, dial up won't be able to handle it, $85 a month, instead of $12.95. The software to do the reporting-Heaven only knows how much for that. The cost they are going to charge for each report, unknown at the moment. Premise ID; $10 a yr in TX.
Not one of the idiots in the USDA/agribusinesses considered the number of people in the USA who do not speak English, do not have electricity, either through choice or they can't afford it, those who are illiterate (aprrox. 10% of the population), and those who are on a fixed income. This is a one size fits all ruling made by big business for big business. It will destroy the American farmer, which is their intent.

by ramarata at 4:47 PM on 10 Mar 2006

NAIS=Loss of rights

NAIS would take away my rights as a private citizen to ride the trails in the National Forest. I as a horse owner would be required to tell the federal government my every movement with my horses, but the Hunters are not required to log in their movements tracking down a deer on foot or by ATV. IS that right? I would not be allowed to go to a horse show with out telling the federal government, I would not be allowed to take a horse to the Vet without telling the federal government. Becasue I also own chickens and ducks, I would be required to tag every single chicken and report every time I killed one to eat. NAIS is the greatest infringment on constitutional rights to date.
All livestock owners would be subject to unreasonable search and seizure, Involuntary servitude to the federal government and the loss of the rights to life, liberty and the persuit of happiness.

Our private property will be controlled by the federal government.

NO NAIS Stop taking away our rights
www. nonais.org
www.stopanimalid.com

by Dunappy at 5:20 PM on 10 Mar 2006

some help up on Brokeback Mountain

Remember that rather comic scene in BbMt, when the flock that Ennis and Jack are supposed to be minding get mixed up with another flock? And it turns out to be pretty impossible to get back all the sheep they started with, even though they end up with a few that they never saw before? Well, suppose all the sheep had ID microchips in them; and suppose Jack and Ennis had Star-Trek-like tricorders: then there would be no problem, they could tell which sheep are whose right away.

But then again, if they had Star-Trek-like technology, they would probably each have had his own nicely warmed tent, and so they would never have had to spend a cold night cuddled up together -- and there goes the story. No fun in that at all!

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 10:51 PM on 10 Mar 2006

What a mistake!

This is a really bad idea. I can understand concern at the industrial ag level because I'd guess that most if not all diseases that could adversely impact other animals and people are more likely to start and spread in these inhumane environments. But for the small scale farmer or for the family with a flock of hens, a few geese, a goat or cow, a couple of pigs, whatever, it makes absolutely no sense at all. I work in a small, natural foods grocery. We sell eggs from local chickens. Some of these producers bring in just a dozen or two a week, and we are happy to have them. We also sell locally raised bison, lamb, beef, pork, and chicken -- all of which comes from less than 30 miles from the store. These are very small scale producers who love the animals and love the lifestyle of living on the land. We should be doing absolutely nothing in this country to discourage these small-scale producers and everything to encourage them because some day, perhaps in the not so distant future, these are the people we will rely upon for our food. If we regulate them out of existance, we will be very, very sorry for the loss. Not to mention the fact that many of these small producers raise less common breeds of chicken or sheep which is important for the diversity of the species. Customers love the pastel colored eggs, for example, that you don't get from white factory chickens. I understand that avian flu is serious but we're not going to solve the problem by hurting small farmers. We should, instead, totally revamp our industrial food system, down size, localize, etc. As far as animals go, I'm not against eating meat, but we do eat way too much of it in this country. If we had to get our meat locally, we'd be paying more and eating less of it. But it would be higher quality, better tasting, and less degrading to the environment. Keep track of the big guys and let the small farmers do what they do best.

by SMLowry at 2:02 PM on 11 Mar 2006

Old McBrother Had a Farm

This development, a brain child of corporate industry and the Bush administration, goes way too far. The comments others have left about NAIS largely reflect my own. Is it Constitutional for this program to be mandatory? And, if it is safety concerns that have prompted the USDA to promote this program, why then, were they as negligent about Canadian beef having been exposed to mad cow as they have been? The only way, as one reader points out, that our livestock can be safe and healthy is for it to be grown in safe and healthy conditions. Fresh air, clean water, and organically grown grains, rather than that which has been genetically engineered by Monsanto.

As soon as the Bush administration occupied Iraq, they immediately forbid it's farmers from using the seeds they had used for thousands of years. Instead, they passed laws requiring them to use seeds provided by the USA which were 'manufactured' by Monsanto. We know what that corporation has done with genetic engineering and seed. We don't know what they're planning to do with livestock.

Further, this week the House, despite opposition, passed HR 4167, the "National Uniformity For Food Act". This act essentially nullifies all of the state and local criteria for inspecting and labeling food, even to farm raised vs. ocean raised seafood, in order for "uniform" and negligent national laws to have complete jurisdiction over all food labeling. (centerforfoodsafety.org)

Is this administration giving themselves carte blanche to destroy our food, our livestock, our environment, our privacy and ultimately, us? Is this what we call "civilization"?

by Millicente at 6:59 PM on 11 Mar 2006

Well, another boon for big business..........

as this program is another kick in the seat of the pants for the small farmer. It is correct to say that the issue of diseasesd meat in our food chain will not be addressed by this bill; indeed one suspects that when a huge contamination occurs the same tactic that now successfully scuttles all uproar--there will of course be a congressional hearing leading to an investigation completed months (years) down the road when the furor has died down--end result--nothing but the red-hot rhetoric that cools to slag with a verbal slap on the wrist for big business.
Remember that farmers wishing to certify their herds free from bovine spongiform encyphilitis cannot do so, would, indeed, be liable for federal government prosecution if they do, as it is illegal. Why is it illegal? To protect the big guys of course.

by katesisco at 6:04 AM on 14 Mar 2006

No voice in Government

Ok so those who have posted a opinion here, I have just one question. How do we stop this from going any further?

I have sent letters to over 100 government officials concerning this and not one sent any sort of reply... I have been told by so many people that there is no way to stop this and that I am wasting my time, could it be? If the nais passes I will be out of business, I have barely broke even the last 4 years and this year is not looking a whole lot better... Right now we have NO voice in our government on this issue.

I agree cost of implemintation will be outragious for the small farmer, the record keeping of individual animals will be a nightmare, and most every other point I have heard I can relate too... A point I have not heard anything on is the animals that are purchased from livestock auctions and such that are in need of some tender loving care are often bought by small farm owners, they often have the compassion and patience with out the greed of the pocket to help these animals, animals orphaned by the mother and needing bottle fed or things of that nature... however with these types of animals can be a higher mortality rate compared to the big breeder who only keeps the best of the lot. When you have to call and turn in a few dead animals, the one that the prior owner allowed an infestation of worms to go to far and maybe a calf that was orphaned and just would not take to a bottle, how long do you think it will take before some government official and camera crew from the news will be tromping on your property ready to "investigate" the problem? Will they put down every animal you have "for fear of the problem spreading"? (they have done this with concern to "mad cow" disease) then come back and tell you it was ok the animals were not infected... of course the camera crew won't be there this time, they already will have done their damage to your image in the community...

Iron Rose Farms

Until He Comes, Iron Rose Farms

by Ironrosefarms at 7:45 PM on 11 May 2006

ADVERTISING POLICY

You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have an account, log in. If you don't have an account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.