Sandhusker
Well-known member
Yep, R-CALF sure is fighting M-ID all the way... :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll: Here's some actual truth straight from the source.
Billings, Mont.) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with plans to implement a mandatory animal identification (Animal ID) system to achieve the ability to identify within 48 hours after discovery animals that have had contact with a foreign or domestic animal disease. Published in today's Federal Register is notice of the availability of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) draft strategic plan and draft program standards. Both documents are available at: http://www.usda.gov/nais. The public has until June 6 to comment on either or both.
R-CALF USA has been involved in the USDA's development of the drafts and is encouraged by provisions in the drafts that appear to prevent the privatization of the Animal ID system. Under the chairmanship of Richard Bowman, DVM, the R-CALF USA Animal ID Committee has urged USDA to ensure that existing state, tribal and federal agencies control this program as the best assurance that the system will be effective and that producers' interests are not monopolized by private entities.
"The infrastructure and expertise to efficiently administer a national program designed to enhance our animal disease control and eradication efforts reside in the governmental agencies charged with that responsibility," said Bowman. "This animal-health responsibility should be assigned to those agencies and not to profit-motivated nor politically motivated entities in the private sector."
"R-CALF also is encouraged with the flexibility shown within the draft plan for existing identification systems, such as brands," said Leo McDonnell, R-CALF USA president and co-founder. "Using state animal health agencies, as well as existing brand-enforcement agencies and/or contractors already in place, will make the system easier to use and more cost-effective for U.S. cattle producers. This proposed Animal ID system needs to make sure existing ID systems are used, and I am encouraged that USDA has incorporated the suggestions from the U.S. cattle industry on this important issue."
R-CALF USA has deep concerns about maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of producers' proprietary information in the NAIS that might be able to be collected through utilization of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or other means.
USDA's draft plan recognizes the need to maintain confidentiality of proprietary information and indicates that the agency will seek legislation to obtain the needed protection for this information.
"R-CALF members look forward to working with USDA, Congress and all other U.S. cattle producers to make certain this system does not impermissibly allow private parties access to producer information," said R-CALF USA Region V Director Chuck Kiker.
R-CALF USA also looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to explore appropriate funding sources for Animal ID.
"This is a national system, and its costs cannot become a burden to farm and ranch families across the United States," said Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA CEO. "In the coming days and weeks, R-CALF will work very closely with USDA, Congress, and with our members as details of the NAIS are developed to ensure that the interests of independent cattle producers are safeguarded."
Last summer, R-CALF USA members and affiliated organizations were directly involved in helping shape NAIS by attending listening sessions, offering testimony before Congress, and voicing the concerns of independent cattlemen across the country.
Representatives of the South Dakota Stock Growers Association (SDSGA) met with USDA Under Secretary Bill Hawks to express the needs of independent cattle producers as they relate to an Animal ID system.
"We laid out our concerns about the NAIS, and we will continue working closely with the Administration to achieve compatibility with existing systems such as brand laws," said SDSGA Regional Vice President Kenny Fox. "South Dakota has a successful history with its branding system, and we will work to incorporate our existing framework into the NAIS."
Doran Junek, executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association (KCA) noted that although Kansas is a non-brand state, KCA members have been investigating other various components that would create a useful animal identification program.
"Because Kansas is a non-brand state, we see a window of opportunity with the NAIS because we realize the importance of being able to trace cattle," said Junek. "Kansas is one of a handful of states in a unique situation because of the large number of cattle brought in from outlying states for placement in feedlots, and the large number of stocker-feeder operations for grass-fed cattle from outlying states."
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow-calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 14,500 strong – are located in 46 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
Billings, Mont.) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with plans to implement a mandatory animal identification (Animal ID) system to achieve the ability to identify within 48 hours after discovery animals that have had contact with a foreign or domestic animal disease. Published in today's Federal Register is notice of the availability of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) draft strategic plan and draft program standards. Both documents are available at: http://www.usda.gov/nais. The public has until June 6 to comment on either or both.
R-CALF USA has been involved in the USDA's development of the drafts and is encouraged by provisions in the drafts that appear to prevent the privatization of the Animal ID system. Under the chairmanship of Richard Bowman, DVM, the R-CALF USA Animal ID Committee has urged USDA to ensure that existing state, tribal and federal agencies control this program as the best assurance that the system will be effective and that producers' interests are not monopolized by private entities.
"The infrastructure and expertise to efficiently administer a national program designed to enhance our animal disease control and eradication efforts reside in the governmental agencies charged with that responsibility," said Bowman. "This animal-health responsibility should be assigned to those agencies and not to profit-motivated nor politically motivated entities in the private sector."
"R-CALF also is encouraged with the flexibility shown within the draft plan for existing identification systems, such as brands," said Leo McDonnell, R-CALF USA president and co-founder. "Using state animal health agencies, as well as existing brand-enforcement agencies and/or contractors already in place, will make the system easier to use and more cost-effective for U.S. cattle producers. This proposed Animal ID system needs to make sure existing ID systems are used, and I am encouraged that USDA has incorporated the suggestions from the U.S. cattle industry on this important issue."
R-CALF USA has deep concerns about maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of producers' proprietary information in the NAIS that might be able to be collected through utilization of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or other means.
USDA's draft plan recognizes the need to maintain confidentiality of proprietary information and indicates that the agency will seek legislation to obtain the needed protection for this information.
"R-CALF members look forward to working with USDA, Congress and all other U.S. cattle producers to make certain this system does not impermissibly allow private parties access to producer information," said R-CALF USA Region V Director Chuck Kiker.
R-CALF USA also looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to explore appropriate funding sources for Animal ID.
"This is a national system, and its costs cannot become a burden to farm and ranch families across the United States," said Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA CEO. "In the coming days and weeks, R-CALF will work very closely with USDA, Congress, and with our members as details of the NAIS are developed to ensure that the interests of independent cattle producers are safeguarded."
Last summer, R-CALF USA members and affiliated organizations were directly involved in helping shape NAIS by attending listening sessions, offering testimony before Congress, and voicing the concerns of independent cattlemen across the country.
Representatives of the South Dakota Stock Growers Association (SDSGA) met with USDA Under Secretary Bill Hawks to express the needs of independent cattle producers as they relate to an Animal ID system.
"We laid out our concerns about the NAIS, and we will continue working closely with the Administration to achieve compatibility with existing systems such as brand laws," said SDSGA Regional Vice President Kenny Fox. "South Dakota has a successful history with its branding system, and we will work to incorporate our existing framework into the NAIS."
Doran Junek, executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association (KCA) noted that although Kansas is a non-brand state, KCA members have been investigating other various components that would create a useful animal identification program.
"Because Kansas is a non-brand state, we see a window of opportunity with the NAIS because we realize the importance of being able to trace cattle," said Junek. "Kansas is one of a handful of states in a unique situation because of the large number of cattle brought in from outlying states for placement in feedlots, and the large number of stocker-feeder operations for grass-fed cattle from outlying states."
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow-calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 14,500 strong – are located in 46 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
