The National Animal ID System


When I first heard of the USDA’s National Animal ID System (NAIS), I thought it was a good idea. I believe food should be traceable back to its source, and what better way to do that than tag each animal? So when Susan of Farmgirl Fare sent an email urging people to protest the initiative, I was surprised.

She explained that the NAIS hurts small farmers, because of the large expense required to tag and track each and every individual animal. Even people who want to keep a couple chickens in their yard would need to go through the process or risk a $1000/day fine. In short, she feels this is a way to drive out the producers who are catching the public’s eye now that “organic” has been co-opted by large corporations.

She pointed me to NoNAIS.org, a blog about citizen action against this system, and I urge you to take a look as well.



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March 12th, 2006
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
farmgirl
Posted on:
March 17, 2006 at 6:33 am

Thanks so much for posting this!

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Goatster
Posted on:
March 21, 2006 at 10:11 am

I am also against NAIS. Not only will it be costly it will be a burden and an absolute intrusion on the lives of every American who owns even ONE chicken, cow, goat, etc. This should no way be mandatory for folks who just want a few laying hens as pets or raise food for themselves. As it is written in the USDA Draft Plan there will be NO exemptions!

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
berecca
Posted on:
March 22, 2006 at 2:52 pm

Thanks for spreading the word! Protecting the food supply starts at home. Animal products raised on small farms or in backyards are healthier for the consumer and for the environment. They are also raised in a manner which does not promote the spread of diseases. There is some evidence that the recent avian flu outbreak started in a factory farm in China.