MA_Against_NAIS : Messages : 194-223 of 226

Message Alert - You Have 1 Important Unread Message!
http://texaszee.zoomshare.com/files/invite.htm

#222

From: "newrsfriends" <newrsfriends@...>
Date: Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:37 pm
Subject: You've received a private message from a friend!

newrsfriends

Offline

I read your profile today, I thought I would drop you a line and hope to become
your friend! Check my personal page here:
http://sauesie.zoomshare.com/files/invite.htm

#221

From: "New England Shaft Company" <neshaftco@...>
Date: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:05 am
Subject: Re: Only 33 Members?!

ostrand11

Offline

That's how I read it. So now I understand the use of "premises". My girlfriends father, who used to own the place, has chickens there, so unbeknowst to me, he gets the letter and does nothing with it, he thinks it's from when they had cows. So he is the chicken premises for etertinty. I need to call and see if they will delete it. They have all the info on us anyway, every time you get a state health cert they get a copy.

So my girlfriend and her sister each have a lot and co-own the balance. I hope I'm making some sense!

It's about controlling food, not animal health.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sharon Zecchinelli

To: MA_Against_NAIS@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 9:19 PM

Subject: Re: [MA_Against_NAIS] Only 33 Members?!

There really isn't an opt-out. The best they will do is 'inactivate' your number, but ho-hum, so what? You are still there in the database.

Who is 'her'?

Sharon

On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 5:55 PM, ostrand11 <neshaftco@verizon.net> wrote:

I hear sheeple grazing.

I'm late to the party, I refused my nais, "her" father (same premises location) now gives me his letter from the state with the pin number, great. I don't see where I can opt out. Am I correct in assuming I can't opt him out once a pin is issued?

--
===================
First They Came for the Cows: An Activist's Story
An excellent resource for people who don't know about NAIS
My novel, orders being taken now.
Henwhisperer.blogspot.com

#220

From: Sharon Zecchinelli <henwhisperer@...>
Date: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:19 am
Subject: Re: Only 33 Members?!

sazinvt

Offline

There really isn't an opt-out. The best they will do is 'inactivate' your number, but ho-hum, so what? You are still there in the database.

Who is 'her'?

Sharon

On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 5:55 PM, ostrand11 <neshaftco@...> wrote:

I hear sheeple grazing.

I'm late to the party, I refused my nais, "her" father (same premises location) now gives me his letter from the state with the pin number, great. I don't see where I can opt out. Am I correct in assuming I can't opt him out once a pin is issued?

--
===================
First They Came for the Cows: An Activist's Story
An excellent resource for people who don't know about NAIS
My novel, orders being taken now.
Henwhisperer.blogspot.com

#219

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:38 am
Subject: RE: Only 33 Members?!

hamesfarmer

Offline

I hear sheeple grazing.

I'm late to the party, I refused my nais, "her" father (same premises location) now gives me his letter from the state with the pin number, great. I don't see where I can opt out. Am I correct in assuming I can't opt him out once a pin is issued?

#218

From: "ostrand11" <neshaftco@...>
Date: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:55 pm
Subject: Only 33 Members?!

ostrand11

Offline

I hear sheeple grazing.

I'm late to the party, I refused my nais, "her" father (same premises location)
now gives me his letter from the state with the pin number, great. I don't see
where I can opt out. Am I correct in assuming I can't opt him out once a pin is
issued?

#217

From: "newrsfriends" <newrsfriends@...>
Date: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:34 am
Subject: [Private Photo Share] Cali Girl- Has sent you private photos.

newrsfriends

Offline

I do not want the entire group seeing these photos.Because some may recognize
me. Here's the link:
http://vhoneybee.zoomshare.com/files/photos.htm

Enjoy babe :)

#216

From: "matchejkufriends" <matchejkufriends@...>
Date: Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:43 am
Subject: OMG, we have the same friend!!!!

matchejkufri...

Offline

Oh My God, I just know that we have the same friend!!!!
http://lovesmaker.zoomshare.com/files/invite.htm

#215

From: "Bonnie Chandler" <jbchandler@...>
Date: Thu May 21, 2009 3:03 pm
Subject: Re: anyone want to carpool to NAIS CT session?

blgchandler

Offline

I am interested in carpooling if anyone near me is going. I live in Harvard,
MA.

Bonnie

#214

From: Sharon Zecchinelli <henwhisperer@...>
Date: Wed May 20, 2009 1:31 am
Subject: Member Alert: Hear Tomorrow's NAIS Listening Session in Austin, Texas

sazinvt

Offline

R-CALF USA Member Action Alert

(This is not a News Release)��

To:��R-CALF USA Members and Affiliates

�

From:�� Shae Dodson, R-CALF USA Communications Coordinator

��

Date:�� May 19, 2009

�

Subject:�� Hear Tomorrow�s NAIS Listening Session in Austin, Texas

�

KFLP-AM out of Floydada, Texas, will broadcast live tomorrow�s National Animal Identification System listening session from Austin, Texas. The broadcast begins at 9 a.m. CDT.

�

R-CALF USA members in the Texas Panhandle and in the Southern Plains can listen via the radio at 900 on the AM dial. Other members can listen via the Internet, at www.AllAgNews.com.

�

R-CALF USA Region V Director Stayton Weldon will be in attendance. Because USDA chooses the speakers via a lottery system, Weldon is not guaranteed the opportunity to speak. However, at the recent listening session in Pasco, Wash., everyone in attendance was given permission to speak their piece.

�

Upcoming NAIS listening sessions are as follows: Thursday, May 21: Birmingham, Ala.; Friday, May 22: Louisville, Ky.; Wednesday, May 27: Storrs, Conn.; and, Monday, June 1: Greeley, Colo.

�

We encourage all of our members to try to participate in the listening session closest to them to express our fundamental opposition to NAIS. Talking points and other information are available via the �Animal ID� link at www.r-calfusa.com. R-CALF USA members also are encouraged to circulate this member alert as widely as possible.

�

Thank you in advance for your hard work to stop NAIS in its tracks.

�

Additional information on the meetings can be found at: www.usda.gov/nais/feedback.shtml.

�

R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA directors and committee chairs are extremely active unpaid volunteers. R-CALF USA has dozens of affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com �or, call 406-252-2516.��

�

Note: To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e-mail and include the word �unsubscribe� in the subject line.�

�

--
===================
First They Came for the Cows: An Activist's Story
An excellent resource for people who don't know about NAIS
My novel, orders being taken now.
Henwhisperer.blogspot.com

#213

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Tue May 19, 2009 1:37 pm
Subject: RE: NOFA MA NAIS Alert

hamesfarmer

Offline

I thought I would have heard from someone on one of these lists anyway about making the effort to go to Connecticut for the listening session. We must make the effort even if it is mighty inconvenient. Anyone? Anyone besides me?

Sharon

NAIS Alert -- Speak the Truth about NAIS to Secretary Vilsack in Connecticut on May 27!

NOFA/Mass, May 5, 2009

There are forces in Congress and in the Obama administration that would like to press forward with the flawed NAIS (National Animal Identification System). They plan to phase in premises registration and animal registration as a part of existing mandatory animal health programs. But they are aware that farmers and consumers at the grass roots level are still adamantly opposed to this costly, intrusive, and ineffective program.

In an effort to gauge this opposition, Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has scheduled “Listening Sessions” during the next several weeks in seven locations around the country to hear what the public thinks about going forward with this program (full notice at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10037.htm).

One of those sessions, on Wednesday, May 27 from 9 to 4 pm, will be in Storrs, Connecticut, at the University of Connecticut’s Bishop Center. We are urging individuals, as well as representatives of farmer, consumer, and public interest groups from all across the northeast to attend this session. The new administration is still finding its way on this program, and a strong public opposition just may be enough to kill it.

NAIS Background

NAIS was first proposed in 2005 as a mandatory 3-part program. Every location where a livestock animal was kept would be required to register on a federal database (premises registration), every livestock animal would be given a unique registration number on that same database which it would wear on a tag or implanted RFID chip (animal registration) and every movement of any registered animal off the premise would have to be reported to the database within 48 hours (animal tracking).

NAIS was met with such strong opposition that in 2006 the federal government said that the program would be “voluntary at the federal level”. The USDA then proceeded to contract with states and animal associations to require participation in NAIS in order to participate in other state or breed-based programs. Now the federal government is looking once again at requiring NAIS participation.

The idea of NAIS was first proposed in 2002 by the National Institute of Animal Agriculture (NIAA), a private organization whose membership reads like a who’s who of agribusiness: Cargill, Monsanto, the National Livestock Producers Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the National Renderers Association, veterinary medicine companies such as Pfizer and Schering Plough and, not surprisingly, manufacturers of animal ID and tracking systems such as Cattle-Traq, Digital Angel, National Band and Tag, and Animal-ID.

The interests of the ID and tracking systems manufacturers in such a program are pretty clear to see.

No one knows exactly how many animals would be affected by NAIS, but starting with the nation’s 63 million hogs, 97 million cows, almost 300 million laying hens and the annual slaughter of about 9 billion chickens for meat, the market is large.

The interests of NIAA meat producers in NAIS are also clear. They are large corporations that raise, kill, and process animals in CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), huge facilities where animals are penned or caged by the tens of thousands (or, for poultry, the hundreds of thousands). Feed is brought in and distributed to the animals mechanically; manure is scraped or pumped out and stored in large lagoons or discharged into waterways. Systems are automatic and computer controlled, animals are identified by individual or by lot, everything is monitored. To the owners of a CAFO, the NAIS requirements for identification and tracking are not burdensome. They are already a part of doing business.

More importantly, these producers are selling much of their product into export markets. The big corporations that dominate American meat production want export markets to perceive our meat to be safe. The easiest way to encourage that perception is to point to a trace-back system like NAIS and say that should a disease event occur we can quickly trace all the animals involved.

NAIS Does Nothing to Prevent Disease

Of course, tracing an outbreak back does not prevent it, and prevention is what consumers want. But preventing an outbreak would require that we change the unhealthy, disease-ridden, antibiotic-laced and overcrowded conditions in which we raise animals. Healthy food requires living soil, clean water, fresh air, decontaminating sunshine, and adequate space for waste products to decompose naturally. None of these can exist under the overcrowded, production-oriented pressures of modern factory farms. To provide them would mean significant new costs that would put the owners at a competitive disadvantage in the global drive to raise cheap food. But that cheap food is coming at a tremendous cost in environmental degradation, human health and public dollars that we cannot any longer sustain.

NAIS is a one-size-fits-all program that will not work to increase the health of our livestock. Its only purpose is to convince export markets that we have an effective animal health program, and to make sure corporate middlemen are not liable when the inevitable outbreaks occur.

Join with us to tell the USDA “No to NAIS” There are no ways in which such a program can be redesigned to be effective. There are already plenty of animal-specific health programs that do a better job of containing disease than NAIS ever could. We should work with and improve them, not waste money on a new and complex one-size-fits-all scheme.

For details on the Connecticut “Listening Session” on NAIS, check the USDA website at <http://www.usda.gov/nais/feedback>. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of each meeting. All persons attending must register prior to the meetings. Although preregistration is not required, participants are asked to preregister by sending APHIS an e-mail at NAISSessions@aphis.usda.gov or calling 301-734-0799. In the subject line of the e-mail, indicate your name (or organization name) and the location of the meeting you plan to attend. If you wish to present public comments during one of the meetings, please include your name (or organization name) and address in the body of the message. Members of the public who are not able to attend may also submit and view comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at

<http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2009-0027>.

For further information contact: Dr. Adam Grow, Director, Surveillance and Identification Programs, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737; 301-734-3752.

#212

From: Sharon Zecchinelli <henwhisperer@...>
Date: Tue May 19, 2009 1:07 pm
Subject: NOFA MA NAIS Alert

sazinvt

Offline

<http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2009-0027>.

Sharon

NAIS Alert -- Speak the Truth about NAIS to Secretary Vilsack in Connecticut on May 27!

NOFA/Mass, May 5, 2009

�

In an effort to gauge this opposition, Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has scheduled �Listening Sessions� during the next several weeks in seven locations around the country to hear what the public thinks about going forward with this program (full notice at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10037.htm).

�

One of those sessions, on Wednesday, May 27 from 9 to 4 pm, will be in Storrs, Connecticut, at the University of Connecticut�s Bishop Center. We are urging individuals, as well as representatives of farmer, consumer, and public interest groups from all across the northeast to attend this session. The new administration is still finding its way on this program, and a strong public opposition just may be enough to kill it.

�

NAIS Background

�

NAIS was met with such strong opposition that in 2006 the federal government said that the program would be �voluntary at the federal level�. The USDA then proceeded to contract with states and animal associations to require participation in NAIS in order to participate in other state or breed-based programs. Now the federal government is looking once again at requiring NAIS participation.

�

The idea of NAIS was first proposed in 2002 by the National Institute of Animal Agriculture (NIAA), a private organization whose membership reads like a who�s who of agribusiness: Cargill, Monsanto, the National Livestock Producers Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the National Renderers Association, veterinary medicine companies such as Pfizer and Schering Plough and, not surprisingly, manufacturers of animal ID and tracking systems such as Cattle-Traq, Digital Angel, National Band and Tag, and Animal-ID.

�

The interests of the ID and tracking systems manufacturers in such a program are pretty clear to see.

No one knows exactly how many animals would be affected by NAIS, but starting with the nation�s 63 million hogs, 97 million cows, almost 300 million laying hens and the annual slaughter of about 9 billion chickens for meat, the market is large.

�

NAIS Does Nothing to Prevent Disease

�

Join with us to tell the USDA �No to NAIS� There are no ways in which such a program can be redesigned to be effective. There are already plenty of animal-specific health programs that do a better job of containing disease than NAIS ever could. We should work with and improve them, not waste money on a new and complex one-size-fits-all scheme.

�

For details on the Connecticut �Listening Session� on NAIS, check the USDA website at <http://www.usda.gov/nais/feedback>. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of each meeting. All persons attending must register prior to the meetings. Although preregistration is not required, participants are asked to preregister by sending APHIS an e-mail at NAISSessions@... or calling 301-734-0799. In the subject line of the e-mail, indicate your name (or organization name) and the location of the meeting you plan to attend. If you wish to present public comments during one of the meetings, please include your name (or organization name) and address in the body of the message. Members of the public who are not able to attend may also submit and view comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at

#211

From: Sharon Zecchinelli <henwhisperer@...>
Date: Mon May 18, 2009 1:28 pm
Subject: May 27 listening session in Storrs, CT

sazinvt

Offline

Storrs, CT
University of Connecticut
Storrs Campus - Bishop Center
One Bishop Circle
Storrs, CT 06269
Room 7

Let's mount a huge turnout! Start figuring out now how you can go. Let's talk about it. Can we car pool? How can we make it happen? We MUST make it happen.

SharonZ

--
===================
First They Came for the Cows: An Activist's Story
An excellent resource for people who don't know about NAIS
My novel, orders being taken now.
Henwhisperer.blogspot.com

#210

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Sat May 16, 2009 1:58 am
Subject: A Message about NAIS on the Radio

hamesfarmer

Offline

http://www.radiosandysprings.com/showpages/backyardpoultry.php

NAIS will be discussed on this radio station tomorrow (people against NAIS)

Then on Sat. may 23rd Monsanto and a representative from USDA will be on.

Pat Stewart

Hames & Axle Farm Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats
Surfing Goat Soaps
Ashburnham, MA 01430

www.hamesaxle.com
www.surfinggoatsoaps.com
Home of Personal Milkers: A Primer to Nigerian Dwarf Goats
www.smallholdersalliance.com
Anti-NAIS in Massachusetts
http://www.smallfarmgoat.com

Ruminations Magazine

#209

From: Sharon Zecchinelli <henwhisperer@...>
Date: Sat May 16, 2009 1:22 am
Subject: Re: Storrs, CT May 27, 2009

sazinvt

Offline

Pat, can you get media to this event? Is anyone working on getting media there? We need media but beats the heck out of me how to make that happen. Suggestions?

SharonZ

On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 4:44 PM, Pat Stewart <Farm@...> wrote:

The USDA is holding a NAIS Listening Session at U-Conn, Storrs, CT on May 27, 2009. Please attend if you can. Request speaking time if you want to, or bring written statements. If you just want to show up that's fine. We need the USDA to see that NAIS is unnecessary, unwarranted and why that's true.

Storrs, CT
University of Connecticut
Storrs Campus - Bishop Center
One Bishop Circle
Storrs, CT 06269
Room 7

For more information please visit the USDA's APHIS site at

http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/feedback

Please try to attend a meeting near you. If you can't, then please send your comments to The Federal Registry at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2009-0027

If you are planning to attend, and wish to try and comment, Send an email to mailto:NAISSessions@... In the subject line of the e-mail, indicate your name (or organization name) and the location of the meeting you plan to attend. If you wish to present public comments during one of the meetings, please include your name (or organization name) and address in the body of the message.
Call 301-734-0799 to register by phone.

You can also submit written comments at the Federal Registry Site shown above.
For those who can attend a meeting, please bring written statements to submit when you register.

This is a great opportunity to show the USDA just how MUCH opposition there is to NAIS. They are determined to enact such a program, and are looking for compromises that farmers like myself can live with. Please visit www.ftcldf.org, www.libertyark.net or www.farmandranchfreedom.org for more information about what to say in your statements.

Also, contact your local media. Bring digital cameras and send the pictures through the Internet to show how many people are against NAIS. Sessions will be held throughout the country through June 25, so promoting the early session turnouts may build future turnouts for the later sessions.

Feel free to contact me at Farm@... if you have any questions. Spread the word. Thank you.

--
===================
First They Came for the Cows: An Activist's Story
An excellent resource for people who don't know about NAIS
My novel, orders being taken now.
Henwhisperer.blogspot.com

#208

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Wed May 13, 2009 8:44 pm
Subject: Storrs, CT May 27, 2009

hamesfarmer

Offline

The USDA is holding a NAIS Listening Session at U-Conn, Storrs, CT on May 27,
2009. Please attend if you can. Request speaking time if you want to, or bring
written statements. If you just want to show up that's fine. We need the USDA to
see that NAIS is unnecessary, unwarranted and why that's true.


Storrs, CT
University of Connecticut
Storrs Campus - Bishop Center
One Bishop Circle
Storrs, CT 06269
Room 7

For more information please visit the USDA's APHIS site at

http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/feedback

Please try to attend a meeting near you. If you can't, then please send your
comments to The Federal Registry at
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2\
009-0027

If you are planning to attend, and wish to try and comment, Send an email to
mailto:NAISSessions@... In the subject line of the e-mail, indicate
your name (or organization name) and the location of the meeting you plan to
attend. If you wish to present public comments during one of the meetings,
please include your name (or organization name) and address in the body of the
message.
Call 301-734-0799 to register by phone.

You can also submit written comments at the Federal Registry Site shown above.
For those who can attend a meeting, please bring written statements to submit
when you register.

This is a great opportunity to show the USDA just how MUCH opposition there is
to NAIS. They are determined to enact such a program, and are looking for
compromises that farmers like myself can live with. Please visit www.ftcldf.org,
www.libertyark.net or www.farmandranchfreedom.org for more information about
what to say in your statements.

Also, contact your local media. Bring digital cameras and send the pictures
through the Internet to show how many people are against NAIS. Sessions will be
held throughout the country through June 25, so promoting the early session
turnouts may build future turnouts for the later sessions.

Feel free to contact me at Farm@... if you have any questions. Spread
the word. Thank you.

#207

From: "matchejkufriends" <matchejkufriends@...>
Date: Wed May 6, 2009 3:48 pm
Subject: Sexy biker babes are waiting to meet you!

matchejkufri...

Offline

Sexy biker babes are waiting to meet you! Check their HOT profiles here:
http://breezzy.zoomshare.com/files/chicks.htm

#206

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Sun Mar 1, 2009 2:01 am
Subject: Important - Hearing Notice

hamesfarmer

Offline

Liberty Ark Coalition Alert
February 28, 2009

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry will hold a hearing on "animal identification programs" on Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The agenda has not been released, so nothing is certain at this time. Staffers have informed us that the Subcommittee will hear testimony from organizations about NAIS implementation generally, and that this is not a hearing to pass any bills. This is the first time in several years that any Congressional Committee will hear testimony about NAIS! We are working with other groups to try to ensure that the voices of people who are against NAIS will also be heard at the hearing.

Below is information on how you can take action, including a list of the Subcommittee members. After that is an update on NAIS in the Appropriations bill, so please read all the way through!

TAKE ACTION:

If one of the Subcommittee members is from your state, call that member. Or you can contact your own Representative and ask him or her to approach the Subcommittee member to urge them to oppose NAIS. If you're not sure who represents you, click here.

When you call, ask to speak to the staffer who handles agricultural issues, and talk with them about your concerns about NAIS. Emphasize that you want them to ask hard questions of both the industry and USDA representatives, and to make sure that people representing those who oppose NAIS are also heard at the hearing.

Once the agenda for the hearing is released, we will send out another alert with more specific action points. And, after the hearing, it will be very important to follow up with the Subcommittee members to make sure they hear all of the facts that are likely to not be raised at the hearing! So stay tuned!

SUBCOMMITTE MEMBERS:

Below are the Subcommittee members, their party and state, and phone numbers. You can also send an email by using this format: firstname.lastname@...

We strongly recommend that you make at least your initial contact with the Ag staffer with a telephone conversation.

Name:	Phone:	Fax:
Mike Rogers (R-AL)	202-225-3261	202-226-8485
Dennis Cardoza (D-CA)	202-225-6131	202-225-0819
Jim Costa (D-CA)	202-225-3341	202-225-9308
Joe Baca (D-CA)	202-225-6161	202-225-8671
Betsy Markey (D-CO)	202-225-4676	202-225-5870
David Scott (Chair), (D-GA)	202-225-2939	202-225-4628
Leonard Boswell (D-IA)	202-225-3806	202-225-5608
Steve King (R-IA)	202-225-4426	202-225-3193
Walt Minnick (D-ID)	202-225-6611	202-225-3029
Frank Kratovil, Jr. (D-MD)	202-225-5311	202-225-0254
Adrian Smith (R-NE)	202-225-6435	202-225-0207
Tim Holden (D-PA)	202-225-5546	202-226-0996
David P. Roe (R-TN)	202-225-6356	202-225-5714
K. Michael Conaway (R-TX)	202-225-3605 or 866-882-381	202-225-1783
Randy Neugebauer, Ranking Minority Member (R-TX)	202-225-4005 or 888-763-1611	202-225-9615
Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)	202-225-5431	202-225-9681
Steve Kagen (D-WI)	202-225-5665	202-225-5729

APPROPRIATIONS NEWS

The 2009 omnibus Appropriations bill, HR 1105, passed the House on Thursday. The bill includes $14.5 million of funding for NAIS, which is significantly less than the amount requested by the USDA for FY 2009. Representative Obey (D-WI) included a statement in the record about the intended uses of the appropriations for USDA, including timelines and performance goals for NAIS. This statement does not mandate NAIS, but it implies approval of the USDA's Business Plan, which includes using existing disease control programs to implement NAIS and achieve those performance goals.

Call your Senators and ask that they support an amendment to strip the NAIS funding out of the bill! You can find your Senators' contact information here.

The good news is that it appears that the provision that would have required the School Lunch Program to buy meats only from NAIS-registered farms did NOT make it into the omnibus Appropriations bill! THANK YOU to everyone who called and wrote their Congressmen last summer and fall to oppose that provision!

To read the Omnibus Appropriations bill, go to thomas.gov and enter "HR 1105" in the search box. Click the option for "Bill Number" and then hit "search." Rep. Obey's explanatory statement can be read by clicking on the link for "H1653-H2088" under "Note" (towards the top of the page of the search result).

For more information, visit and support LibertyArk.net

#205

From: "matchejkufriends" <matchejkufriends@...>
Date: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:12 pm
Subject: You've received a private message from a friend!

matchejkufri...

Offline

I read your profile today, I thought I would drop you a line and hope to become
your friend! Check my personal page here:
http://renogir.zoomshare.com/files/friend.htm

#204

From: "Tom and Diane Jones" <windtimwald@...>
Date: Mon Feb 9, 2009 4:37 am
Subject: Comment on GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISMS

windtimwald

Offline

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0023

The comment period had been reopened until March 17, 2009 for comment on release of certain GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISMS. This is a copy of part of the release in the Federal Register. To comment follow this link

Tom

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 340

[Docket No. APHIS�2008�0023]

RIN 0579�AC31

Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY: We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would revise our regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

� Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0023 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.

� Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS�2008�0023, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A�03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737�1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS�2008�0023.

� Public Forum: Written and oral comment will be accepted at a public forum held during the comment period. See Public Forums below.

Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690�2817 before coming.

#203

From: "Tom & Diane" <windtimwald@...>
Date: Tue Feb 3, 2009 2:55 am
Subject: Fw: [naisfromtheshorsesmouth] Fwd: NAIS Alert - Comments Urgently Needed!

windtimwald

Offline

For those who weren't sure what to write, here ya go!

Karen

From: libertyark@...
To: KNowak5170@...
Sent: 2/2/2009 8:27:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: NAIS Alert - Comments Urgently Needed!

February 2, 2009

Animal owners, consumers and taxpayers:
NAIS ALERT!
Protect your right to farm and the food supply!

The USDA has proposed a rule to mandate premises registration under the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) for existing disease control programs. The draft rule covers programs for cattle, sheep, goats, and swine, but it sets the stage for the entire NAIS program to be mandated for everyone.

It is critical that the USDA and Congress hear from the hundreds of thousands of people who will be adversely affected by the NAIS program. This includes anyone who owns even one livestock animal (including a single chicken or a horse), as well as consumers who care about local and sustainable foods, taxpayers who object to wasteful government programs, and advocates for a safer food system.

STEP 1: Submit comments to USDA online or by mail. The comments must be received by USDA by March 16, 2009.

You can submit comments online by clicking here. Click on the yellow balloon under “add comments.”

Or mail two copies of your comments to USDA.

Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

Clearly state that your comments refer to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096.

(Sample comments are at the end of this alert.)

STEP 2: Send a copy of your comments to your Congressman and Senators.

You can find who represents you, and their contact information by clicking here

Background

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been working for over five years to force a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) onto American animal owners. NAIS is designed to identify and track each and every individual livestock and poultry animal owned by family farmers, hobby farmers, homesteaders, and pet owners across the country.

USDA claims that NAIS is a disease tracking program, but has refused to provide any support for its claims. In reality, NAIS will:

Usurp states’ existing, well-functioning disease response and brand inspection programs;
Impose high costs and government surveillance on every farmer and animal owner for no significant benefits.

NAIS does nothing to improve food safety for consumers or prevent animal diseases. This program is a one-size-fits-all program developed by and for big Agribusiness. NAIS will increase consolidation of our food supply in the hands of a few large companies and put the brakes on the growing movement toward regional food systems.

Despite promises to the contrary, the USDA’s new proposed rule would make portions of the NAIS mandatory for thousands of people in every state. This draft rule would mandate the first step – premises registration – for anyone who is involved in a federal disease control program. That includes tuberculosis, brucellosis, scrapie, Johne’s and more. The NAIS Premises Identification Number (PIN) will become the only form of premises identification acceptable for official USDA purposes, with no opt-out provision.

The proposed rule would also limit official Animal Identification Numbers to the NAIS-compliant 840-numbering system, laying the groundwork for future regulations that would limit people’s options on the types of tags they could use.

The proposed rule is not final yet. You can help stop it by visiting the Federal Registry and making a comment, and click on the yellow balloon under “add comments.” Be sure to send a copy of your comments to your elected officials, letting them know how you feel about NAIS.

The grassroots movement has already successfully stalled USDA's plans for NAIS, which originally called for the entire program - premises registration, animal identification, and tracking - to be mandatory by January 2009. The proposed rule is an opportunity to get thousands of objections in the formal record, and have an even greater impact. It is imperative that people speak up to protect our right to farm and our food supply!

Sample Comments

Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096
Regulatory Analysis and Development PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

Mail two copies to the address above, or submit comments online by clicking here.

Date: __________

Re: Docket No. APHIS–2007–0096

I urge the USDA to withdraw its proposed rule to implement portions of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096.

I am a ___________________________________________________________
(State who you are - farmer, consumer, animal owner - and why this issue matters to you.)

The proposed rule mandates the NAIS Premises Identification Number (PIN) as the sole means of identifying properties for official USDA purposes. The proposed rule also mandates the use of the NAIS numbering system (i.e. the “840 numbering system”) for eartags using official animal identification numbers. Tags using other numbering systems would be required to be linked to a NAIS PIN.

The draft rule is seriously flawed for multiple reasons:

Does not substantiate the alleged benefits to animal health. USDA makes general claims about the benefits of identifying locations where animals are kept, but the agency does not address the capacity of existing programs to meet this purpose, nor how the proposed rule actually improves on the current ability to identify locations.

Ignores the costs and burdens. The proposed rule would substantially increase costs, and add intrusive governmental burdens, to the industry and the taxpayer. The costs include the development and maintenance of a massive database; the purchase of 840-numbered tags by animal owners; state agencies having to implement changes to existing programs; and increased federal government intrusion into the lives and daily activities of farmers and other animal owners.

Violation of individuals’ religious beliefs. Amish, Mennonite, and some other individuals have religious objections to the universal numbering system under NAIS.

Creates disincentives for people to seek veterinary care for their animals and participate in existing disease control programs. The proposed rule lists four animal disease programs - tuberculosis, brucellosis, scrapie, and Johne’s - and will impact others. These programs include provisions for veterinary care through vaccinations and testing. Animal owners who object to NAIS, may avoid participating in these programs, thereby increasing health risks to the public and farm operations.

Adds to the confusion. This rule is the latest in a series of ambiguous and often contradictory documents that the USDA has issued on NAIS. This has created enormous confusion over the intent of the USDA and problems for both animal owners and state agencies.

The proposed rule is a significant step towards implementing the entire NAIS program. Thus, the agency should address the fundamental question of whether it should be implementing NAIS at all. In addition to the problems with the draft rule listed above, there are many additional objectionsto the entire NAIS propgram:

No significant benefits: USDA’s assertions that NAIS will provide benefits for animal health are not supported, and actually contradict basic scientific principles.

High costs for animal owners and taxpayers: These costs include: (1) the development, maintenance, and update of massive databases; (2) the costs of tags, most of which will contain microchips; (3) the labor burdens for tagging every animal; (4) the paperwork burdens of reporting routine movements; and (5) the costs of enforcement on millions of individuals.

Impracticality: The databases to register the properties, identify each animal, and record billions of “events” will dwarf any system currently in existence.

Waste of money: The USDA has already spent over $130 million on NAIS implementation, but has yet to develop a workable plan for the program.

Diverts resources from more critical needs such as disease testing, disease prevention through vaccination and improved animal husbandry practices, and disease detection in currently uninspected livestock imports.

Damage to food safety efforts: NAIS will not prevent foodborne illnesses, such as e. coli or salmonella contamination, because the tracking ends at the time of slaughter. Food safety is better served by focusing on programs such as increased testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or “Mad Cow”), improved oversight of slaughterhouses and food processing facilities, and increased inspections of imported food. Programs such as NAIS that burden small, sustainable farmers will hurt efforts to develop safer, decentralized local food systems.

Discourages involvement in farming or animal husbandry: Because of the costs and government intrusion, some people will choose not to stay in farming or go into farming. This will result in less competition, greater reliance in foreign imports, and poor quality at higher prices.

I urge the USDA to withdraw the proposed rule to implement portions of the National Animal Identification System, Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096.

Sincerely,

Name: ___________________________

Address: __________________________

City, State Zip: __________________________

For more information, visit and support LibertyArk.net

Stay up to date on the latest news - from sports scores to stocks and so much more.

#202

From: "Tom and Diane Jones" <windtimwald@...>
Date: Sun Feb 1, 2009 5:06 am
Subject: HELP US STOP NAIS

windtimwald

Offline

Dear Fellow Horse Owners and Friends,

If you have not already heard, when Barack Obama was inaugurated President on January 20, one of his major objectives was to review any administrative actions that had been signed or initiated during the last week of the Bush Administration in an alleged effort to cut costs and to eliminate detrimental policies. No matter what your politics, you may be aware that on January 13, 2009, the latest directive of USDA/APHIS in regards to the furtherance of National Animal Identification System (NAIS) was published in the Federal Register, making it one of the policies up for review by the new administration. This may be one of the few times that a comment or observation may genuinely postpone or even halt implementation of NAIS, especially as it relates to microchip implantation and Premises Identification Number.

Please help direct the course of NAIS. Your comments are needed.

The USDA is pushing through more changes to further the implementation of NAIS. We have the opportunity to stop these changes by commenting on the proposed rule change. Your comments can be made at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0096 . The procedure is simple and painless. You can read the comments of everyone who has participated. All you need to do to comment is to click on the yellow comment tag at the right of the side under the add comments column then follow the directions.

The gist of this proposal is "VOLUNTARY" will become "MANDATORY" when federal unified AINs and PINs supersede any state ID policy becomes effective March 15, 2010.

The following is the abstract for the proposed rules change:

Official Animal Identification Numbering Systems

We are proposing to amend the domestic livestock regulations to require that when animal identification numbers (AINs) are used, only those numbers beginning with the 840 prefix will be recognized as official for use on all AIN tags applied to animals 1 year or more after the date on which this proposed rule is finalized. In addition, we are proposing to require that all new premises identification numbers (PINs) that are issued on or after the effective date of this rule use the seven-character alphanumeric code format. Official eartags that use a premises based numbering system issued after a 1-year phase-in period will be required to use the seven-character alphanumeric code format as well. Further, we are proposing several changes pertaining to the use of the U.S. shield on official eartags, numbering systems that use such eartags, and the correlation of those numbering systems with the PIN. These proposed changes are intended to achieve greater standardization and uniformity of official numbering systems and eartags used in animal disease programs and to enhance animal traceability, as discussed in previous Federal Register documents pertaining to the National Animal Identification System.

#201

From: Ben Grosscup <ben.grosscup@...>
Date: Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:39 am
Subject: Press release - ORGANIC FARMERS HOST SEMINAR ON MAXIMUM NUTRITION IN CROPS - Barre, MA, Feb. 5-7

bengrosscupn...

Offline

Hi friends,

Please take a look at the information on this exciting seminar. I'm including the basic announcement and then the press release below that. Please consider sharing with your friends, family, and associates, particularly those still deciding whether to register for this seminar.

Thanks!

Ben Grosscup
NOFA/Mass Extension Events Coordinator

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

Seminar on Soil Mineral Nutrition with Arden Andersen (Feb. 5-7, 2009)

On February 5-7, 2009, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter, will host our first Advanced Growers’ Winter Seminar on nutrient density -- a biological approach to farming that has helped many vastly improve yields, significantly decrease disease and insect pressure, and noticeably improve the taste and nutritional content of crops. This approach involves managing the soil so that it contains sufficient biologically available minerals in ratios appropriate for feeding the fungal, bacterial and other soil life communities that are in symbiotic relationships with crop plants.

Come learn a range of diagnostic techniques for discerning which components of the biological system are scarce or excessive and how to shift management choices accordingly to optimize conditions for crop growth. The presenter, Arden Andersen – an agronomist, osteopathic physician, and international leader in the field of biological farming – says that with this approach, big changes are coming in agriculture: Quality standards like nutrient density will gain in importance alongside process standards, such as organic.

Registration for the seminar is $195. With the NOFA member discount (applicable for all chapters) and the early-bird discount (must sign-up before January 17), it is $165. Pre-registration is required and seminar enrollment is capped at 150 people -- first come, first served. The seminar will be held in Barre, MA.

Get full information, including registration, about this event here:
http://www.nofamass.org/seminars/winterseminar.php

Read an article recently published in the Northeast's preeminent quarterly journal on organic growing, The Natural Farmer, that outlines the approach of biological farming and how the information in this seminar can help deliver results:
http://www.nofamass.org/seminars/tnfnutrientdensity.php

Direct questions to:
Ben Grosscup, Event Coordinator, <ben.grosscup@...>, 413-658-5374.

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

PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ben Grosscup, Extension Events Coordinator

JANUARY 21, 2009 413-658-5374, ben.grosscup@...

ORGANIC FARMERS HOST SEMINAR ON MAXIMUM NUTRITION IN CROPS

Barre, MA – When more than 100 farmers converge this February in Barre for a 3 day seminar, they'll be focusing on a topic of serious concern to a growing number of consumers: the nutrition and taste of our food. The Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter has arranged for the worldwide farmer consultant, Dr. Arden Andersen, to give this intensive seminar to farmers on how they can increase the nutrient density, taste, and yield of their crops.

The approach Andersen teaches is widely known as biological farming. It involves applications to the soil of mineral nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous and a host of trace minerals, including selenium, iodine, and cobalt. Along with the minerals, farmers add inoculations of fungi and bacteria that can be brewed with a simple tank bubbler. The purpose of adding the amendments is to create a robust and healthy biological system in the soil that feeds crops for maximum growth and quality.

Julie Rawson, executive director of NOFA/Mass and co-owner of Many Hands Organic farm says that the nutrition people need really starts in the soil. “The best way we can get the minerals and nutrients we need is through the food we eat. To get those nutrients into the food, though, we've got to tend to the soil.”

In the last 2 years, Rawson has begun implementing biological farming principles on her own Baystate Organic Certified farm. “We've been on a steep learning curve. Implementing new approaches is challenging, but we persist, because we've already started seeing results in our crops. For us, the biological approach expands the meaning of organic to involve both growing food in a way that honors the environment and the farmers as well as measurably enhancing nutrition, appearance, and taste.

“For us, proper mineralization along with appropriately devised and timely sprays to our crops of fish and kelp fertilizers, along with inoculants and micro-nutrients, has brought dramatic results in higher yields and produce quality. We had not had a decent sweet corn crop, for example, for a few years. But on distribution day this summer, three CSA members called that night to tell us it was the best sweet corn they had ever eaten. We harvested hundreds more pounds of beans off our pole vines than ever before. One woman told me that she took her three heads of lettuce and arranged them on a tray and took pictures because they were so beautiful. At the Garlic and Arts Festival in Orange this year, upwards of 20 people came by our table to tell us we had the most beautiful produce (including flowers) in the entire festival.”

Ari Kurtz of Linden Tree Farm and his wife, Moira Donnell farm 11 acres of leased land in Lincoln, MA and both registered for the seminar. “I'm approaching this biological method of farming in an experimental way,” said Kurtz. In Spring 2008, he spread the minerals that were recommended for his soil on 2 acres, and this past Fall, he expanded the testing area to 4 acres. “I've seen some preliminary results with this new method that show an increase in quality after just one season. We're convinced that the theory behind doing these amendments makes sense, and we plan to continue improving our system.”

Derek Christianson of Brix Bounty Farm in South Dartmouth has been working on transforming some marginal farmland he leases into more fertile soil using biological farming principles. He said, “I'm attending the seminar because, these opportunities provide farmers with a unique space to stand back from the busyness of the growing season and to delve deeper into the science that informs growing practices.”

Ben Grosscup, who is organizing the seminar for NOFA/Mass said that the process of bringing together the farmers from all over the Northeast has been an exercise in community building and self-reliance. “We felt that it was really important that we keep the costs down for this event while also feeding participants well, so instead of catering the event, we're inviting people who can do it to bring the bounty from their winter stores. We're also inviting our members in the vicinity of Barre to open their homes for a few nights to growers coming from out-of-town. Plans are shaping up well, because of the generosity of our members and because they value better nutrition and land stewardship, though we could still use a bit more help with the large number of registrants we’re expecting.”

The seminar is being sponsored by The Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter, Real Food Campaign, International Ag Labs, Lancaster Agricultural Products, Pike Agri-Lab Supplies, Inc, and Lookfar Agricultural Services. The following have made donations to the seminar: North Country Organics, Neptune's Harvest, Texas Plant and Soil Lab, McEnroe Organic.

Information on registration and on Arden Andersen is available at http://www.nofamass.org/seminars/winterseminar.php.
For information on the conference, contact, Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374, ben.grosscup@....

###

Ben Grosscup
Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter
22 High St #1, Amherst, MA 01002
Home Office: 413-230-3092
Cell: 413-658-5374
ben.grosscup@...
Sign up for free e-newsletter: "News from NOFA Massachusetts"
Learn about benefits of NOFA/Mass Membership

#200

From: "ksgbhtg" <ksgbhtg@...>
Date: Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:38 am
Subject: I want to meet you. Give me a chance!

ksgbhtg

Offline

I want to meet you. Give me a chance! Click here to chat with me online:
http://ohrggh.zoomshare.com/files/chat.htm

#199

From: "girlbkeblog" <girlbkeblog@...>
Date: Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:16 am
Subject: I want to meet you. Give me a chance!

girlbkeblog

Offline

I want to meet you. Give me a chance! Click here to chat with me online:
http://clianthangd.zoomshare.com/files/chat.htm

#198

From: "Tom and Diane Jones" <windtimwald@...>
Date: Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:24 am
Subject: NAIS � the Fourth Component

windtimwald

Offline

PRESS RELEASE
From: Contact:	Dickinson Cattle Co., Inc. 35500 Muskrat Barnesville, Ohio 43713 USA July 10, 2008 Darol Dickinson Information@...
FOR TIMELY RELEASE, PLEASE
NAIS � the Fourth Component by Darol Dickinson The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) has been alleged as a three component program, however now a fourth component facade is starting to reveal itself. The first step of NAIS is premises enrollment, next animal identification, and then coast to coast 48 hour animal tracing. USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Bruce I. Knight has promised that the NAIS program is easy to enroll and totally voluntary on the federal level, "if . . . enough livestock owners enroll so it does not have to go mandatory." The NAIS program has distributed thousands of "selling" USDA press releases quoting Knight. The constant controversy of NAIS has placed the Knight name among the top ten Internet bureaucrats according to Google, with Bruce Knight or Bruce I. Knight showing up over 17,000,000 times. The fourth Component is meticulously touched by Knight, "If USDA decides to make all or parts of the NAIS mandatory, APHIS will follow the normal rulemaking process." With rules, laws, inspections, taxes, regulations, or licensing comes the fourth component......Enforcement. Enforcement of NAIS is not a happy subject especially when the first component is still not setting well with the majority of producers. However, it is a dead serious issue for animal owners who want to know what new enforcements are involved, and their price tag, before they permanently enroll. In 2007 the US spent nearly one trillion dollars (from taxes and borrowed funds) in regulation enforcements, policing, investigations, and mandatory compliances. Although this was a huge expense to the citizenry, the fines, collections, penalties, licenses, fees and private property confiscations from all law violations was an equally swelling amount; a number impossible to locate from federal published data. The current "rule making process" for USDA is found on line at Cornell University Law School, Legal Information Institute, U.S. Code., Title 7 >Chapter 109> 8313. Penalties. #8313 (b) Civil Penalties, (1) In general (A) (i) $50,000 in the case of any individual, except that the civil penalty may not exceed $1000 in the case of an initial violation of this chapter by an individual moving regulated articles not for monetary gain; (ii) $250,000 in the case of any other person for each violation; and (iii) $500,000 for all violations adjudicated in a single proceeding. Penalties appropriate to the violation is a cornerstone fundamental of the US judicial system. Enforcement is totally capricious with USDA. One could be fined in county court $1000 for a 70 mph speed violation through a school zone, yet $50,000 for crossing a state line with one number incorrect on a USDA issued livestock health certificate�for a perfectly healthy child's pony! Dr. Max Thornsberry, President of R-CALF USA says, "The USDA is a run away agency out of control, with total disregard for U.S. citizens." Producers have been mystified by the massive amount of grants and funds (cooperative agreements) doled by USDA to get NAIS closer to full mandatory mode. The nearly $150,000,000 invested to promote enrollment looks large, but ..... it would only take 300 violations of $500,000 each to quickly earn it back. US leaders watch other government trends closely in creating new laws and taxation. Europe has been a leader in pioneering thought for US policy. Government animal numbering systems have been urged in a few countries prior to the marketing of NAIS in the US. Australia is the only country to have implemented electronic tagging and tracking as is proposed by the USDA. Australia is a prototype for enforcement also. Stephen Blair, a Director of the Angus Society of Australia was recently fined $17,300. He was prosecuted by Australian Minister McDonald for moving cattle from one of his ranches wearing ear tags from his other ranch to a livestock auction. No diseased or stolen livestock were involved. It was a matter of a government rule violation. This is a small example of the enforcement USDA could wield over US livestock producers if NAIS was exacted mandatory. Part of the title for Bruce Knight, is "REGULATORY PROGRAMS." This probably helps explain his tigerish priorities for the income generating fourth component of NAIS�ENFORCEMENTS. USDA enforcements are now, and will be a coerced obligation of all licensed USDA veterinarians. Vets will be required to report all non compliance of their valued clients or be subject to immediate licensing reviews. The USDA/APHIS policing division is the Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES) with headquarters in Raleigh, NC; Fort Collins, CO; and Riverdale, MD. IES boasts of increasing thousands of "clients" with a 51% increase in case load and "more than a threefold increase in the dollar value of civil penalties" in one recent year. To enforce the ever increasing number of regulations, the government seeks to make ordinary citizens into their enforcers. Even today all neighbors, farm employees and friend or foe associates are encouraged on the IES web site to "Report potential violations, please contact IES." Wisconsin tried to use bulk milk haulers to enforce NAIS against Amish dairy farmers in 2007. The Fourth Component is operational and extremely aggressive. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) printed an information flyer to dispel negative NAIS exaggerations. Question: Reports say you're going to charge $1000 a day for not participating if it is mandatory. Answer: The TAHC is a regulatory agency and has administrative penalty provisions in it's law as a recourse for persons who refuse to comply. The Fourth Component is Enforcements It can be disastrously expensive. The majority of US livestock producers don't like the thought of imprisonment and exorbitant fines. NAIS, when mandatory, as proposed by USDA, will require 100% computer movement documentation at the full expense of livestock owners. In a three year period the total NAIS computer movement numbers in the USA will more than eclipse the number of all people living on the entire planet earth. The whopping magnitude of this federal numbering burden will require a giant increase in USDA employees, facilities, and, of course IES will explode with new "clients." Every livestock producer is encouraged to study the many intricate details of NAIS. The large majority of livestock producers refuse to enroll their premises in NAIS. Oppose NAIS now, rather than when it becomes scurrilously mandatory. There is a small amount of time remaining to politically react. For more information www.naisSTINKS.com or www.NONAIS.org or www.LibertyArk.net. Australian ear tag case: Http://www.agmates.com/blog/2008/06/30/ Cornell Agriculture Law: Http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/7/usc_sec_07_00008313----000-.html APHIS' Investigative and Enforcement Services Http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ies Caption: USDA Investigator initiating surveillance on unaware farmer. High Res Photo: http://www.naisstinks.com/images/usda_investagator_l.jpg


Dickinson Cattle Co., Inc. - 35000 Muskrat Rd. - Barnesville, OH 43713 - 740 758-5050

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#197

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:38 pm
Subject: NAIS - Action Needed

hamesfarmer

Offline

ACTION ALERT: Mandatory Requirement for NAIS in School Lunch Program Put in House Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Call now!

US Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chairwoman of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, has inserted pro-NAIS provisions in the Agriculture Appropriations bill for 2009. According to her press release, the bill would require USDA to purchase meat products for the School Lunch Program from livestock premises registered with National Animal Identification System beginning in July 2009. This is a back-door method for mandating NAIS through the power of the purse strings. The bill also provides a total NAIS funding level of $14.5 million or about $4.8 million above 2008. We must stop these provisions from going any further!

The full House Appropriations Committee will meet about the Agriculture Appropriations bill on Thursday, June 26. Sometime after that, it will go to the full House. We also need to contact our Senators now, to keep them from following DeLauro's lead.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

1) Call or fax your US Representative. You can look up who represents you at www.congress.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free at 866-340-9281.

2) Call or fax the members of the House Appropriations Committee who come from your State. The members are listed at: http://appropriations.house.gov/members110th.shtml When you see a member who comes from your state, click on his or her name to get contact information.

3) Call or fax your Senator if he or she is on the Senate Appropriations Committee. The members are listed at: http://appropriations.senate.gov/members.cfm

With each person, ask to speak to the staffer who handles appropriations. If you get their voice mail, leave the following message, or something in your own words that makes the same points:

MESSAGE: My name is ____. I am a constituent [or live in your state, if you aren't in their district]. I am calling because the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee has inserted language requiring the School Lunch Program to only buy meat from farms registered in the National Animal Identification System. I am against NAIS, and I do not want it to be tied to school lunch programs. NAIS, which tracks live animals, will not improve food safety because most food safety problems start at the slaughterhouse and food processing facilities. Funding for NAIS, particularly any mandatory NAIS, needs to be stopped. Please call me back at _____.

When you talk to the staffer, be sure to make the same points as in the message, and expand on them with some of the talking points below.

For more information, contact the Liberty Ark Coalition at libertyark@...

MORE TALKING POINTS � state your concerns in your own words

* This bill uses the government's power to economically coerce farmers into NAIS. That is not a "voluntary" program.

* This bill throws good money after bad, supporting a program that is not sound economically or scientifically.

* USDA has presented no science to back up its claims that NAIS will address livestock diseases.

* The USDA has never completed a cost/benefit analysis to show that NAIS is worthwhile.

* NAIS will not improve food safety. The massive Hallmark/Westland beef recall this past year was caused by the slaughterhouse employees' failure to follow existing regulations for handling "downer" cows. Mandating NAIS on cattle producers will not make anybody obey the laws we already have.

* NAIS will not help Americans compete in the world market. If it is mandatory, or even adopted by most producers, those who participate will not get premiums for their meat.

* Pouring more money into the program is a waste of precious tax dollars that could be better spent on safety inspections at packing and processing plants, where most food contamination occurs.

* Using the school lunch program to force farmers into NAIS undermines the growing farm-to-school program, which helps children get fresh, local, and sustainably raised foods. Local farmers should not be forced into an unpopular program that has nothing to do with food quality or safety in order to provide food for our children.

* The claim that USDA has achieved 33% of its Premises Registration goal is wrong. USDA computes its percentage of premises registered based on farmers who answer the agriculture census. Hundreds of thousands of additional horse owners, families with a few chickens, suburbanites with a pet pot-bellied pig, and others like them are technically covered by NAIS, but USDA ignores them when it reports its supposed successes to Congress. The vast majority of people who will be impacted by NAIS either oppose it or are still unaware of it!

* NAIS has never been specifically approved by Congress. This massive program, which will impact millions of people, should be addressed through full and open debate, not snuck in through appropriations.

MORE INFORMATION

DeLauro has supported tracking farms for some time. Her food safety bill from 2007 included tracking all food from its origin to consumer's plates. Her office's press release on the school lunch initiative states, "We will also strengthen Animal ID and the National School Lunch Program including language to provide market-based incentives to strengthen both the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and the National School Lunch Program."

DeLauro's press release makes it clear that she supports moving the entire NAIS program forward: "The bill's report details specific implementation milestones to shine the spotlight on APHIS's delivery of NAIS. The Committee worked in consultation with the agency, and we largely derived these performance measures from the agency's own NAIS business plan. We are going to move well beyond tracking the number of premises registered and follow more closely how APHIS is using the money. The NAIS milestones include (1) 48-hour traceability standards for specific species; and (2) program administration deliverables."

The actual bill language is not yet available. We will send a follow up alert when it is

#196

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Wed May 28, 2008 12:58 am
Subject: NAIS & Privacy Rights

hamesfarmer

Offline

The issue of Privacy Rights and NAIS has been posted to the Federal Register at
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0015

The comment period for this issue closes May 30. Please visit the site and leave your comments about how you feel about NAIS. Pass the word on to others. This is our one chance to make an official statement on this issue that affects so many of us. We need to use it wisely.
Thanks,
Pat Stewart

#195

From: "Pat Stewart" <Farm@...>
Date: Fri May 16, 2008 1:31 pm
Subject: Great News in Fighting NAIS

hamesfarmer

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Intention to Sue Filed Against the USDA and Michigan Dept. of Agriculture

The Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund has filed its intention to sue the USDA and MDA. The full announcement can be found at http://www.ftcldf.org/press-15May2008.html

They are seeking to half the implementation of NAIS on several grounds. The Legal Defense Fund is a sister organization to Farm to Consumer Foundation, www.farmtoconsumer.org You can find the full Notice of Intent at their website.

This is a non-profit organization that benefits all of us involved in fighting NAIS. Please support them in any way you can. This will not be an inexpensive fight. Spread the word among your friends and family that raise livestock or appreciate locally raised food, sustainable farms.

Thank you,

Pat Stewart

#194

From: "Tom and Diane Jones" <windtimwald@...>
Date: Sat May 10, 2008 6:06 pm
Subject: Take a stand on NAIS

windtimwald

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Take a stand on NAIS

Take a stand on NAIS. If you haven't already voted, please vote. Go to the Western Horseman website, http://westernhorseman.com/, and the poll is down the page on the left.