March 20th deadline for leaving comments on NAIS

[farmerscotty]

Now is the time for all good people, farmers, chefs, retailers and consumers, to be going to the Federal Register regarding mandating the National Animal Identification System for veterinarian care. The scope of this comment is quite narrow. Focus on just the issue. Below is a comment:

I oppose this ruling of making NAIS mandatory for disease programs. This is one of those unintended consequences rules - what what is being done makes it so many people will not work with vets and won’t report disease. A beautiful example of what we don’t want happening. Big Brother’s heavy hand just pushes people all the wrong ways. Instead if we want information about disease we should be making it easier for people to work voluntarily with existing disease tracking programs. No need to waste hundreds of millions of dollars alienating millions of small farmers. NAIS is Not An Incredibly Smart program.

Go to the Federal Register, click on the yellow/orange balloon to leave a comment, fill in the fields, click “Next/Step” and confirm by pressing “Submit” at the bottom. They are very picky. Jump through the hoops, over the hurdles and be sure your voice is heard.


This is borrowed from www.nonais.org

link to leave a comment..............http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspubli...PHIS-2007-0096

[ovsfarm]

While I think it is fine to leave a comment on this site regarding the NAIS, I would strongly suggest that everyone also direct their comments to all of their Senators and Representatives also. In the past I worked for state government and often all the public comment thing did was give people an opportunity to blow off some steam and feel like they were being heard. In reality, the deal was done and their comments did not affect the outcome in any way. Hopefully the federal government is different, but I'm not betting on it.

The way to impact the NAIS is to get the legislators to become more involved. It wouldn't hurt to also cc your state legislators and be sure to give them the examples of states that have voted to NOT go with NAIS--let them know that is a definite option and one you support.

[Lazy J]

Thank you for the update. I will tell my senators and representative that I am for the NAIS.

Jim

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by Lazy J

Thank you for the update. I will tell my senators and representative that I am for the NAIS.

Jim

Me too. Thank you.

[farmerscotty]

Ovsfarm, remember even though your state may have voted to make it voluntary......that The USDA is trying really hard to step over that......I think it will be mandatory.......even though we scream and holler NO......I for one will NOT register my property.....as a premise......I will become a house farmer........land for sale......that is where I figure we are headed. But I will be able to say I did voice my opionions to federal and state officals.