Notes on the NAIS Hearing

by Jill Richardson · 2009-03-13 10:30:00 UTC
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Neener cow; by law_kevenA few days ago, Natasha said Don't Tag Those Critters! She told you what the one voice of sanity said during the House Ag Committee hearing held this week about the National Animal ID System (NAIS). I'd like to tell you what everyone else said.

And... it wasn't good.

I wrote it up in full in two parts (part 1 and part 2) but I saw an overall theme in the hearing and I think that's what is most worth talking about.

It sounds like there are three things to know about NAIS:

1. It is a distraction from disease prevention techniques that we already have that WORK.

2. In practice, when we've used animal ID in the past (like on cattle coming in from Mexico) it hasn't helped us trace disease outbreaks once they occurred - even WITH the animal ID.

3. The real motivation for a national animal ID system is for our export markets. We want other countries to buy our stuff and so we are subjecting our farmers to this ridiculous, burdensome, and expensive system - even if they don't plan to export their products! (In fact, even if they are merely pet owners!)

I read the written testimony but I haven't heard yet from anyone who was there how the Congresscritters reacted to the testimony. The testimony was about half in favor of a mandatory national animal ID system, and all but one person who testified spoke in favor of NAIS in general. That's all very bad. But once their motivation for NAIS (exports) became clear, I just got disgusted with the whole thing. What about food sovereignty? I believe that farmers in other countries should be able to sell their food locally, just like our farmers should be able to sell locally.

Obviously, food sovereignty isn't important to our government - they see agricultural exports as a good thing that should be encouraged and increased - but I've got an idea for everyone. Why don't we require animal ID for animals that might be exported, but keep it 100% fully voluntary for everyone else - like 4-H kids, hobby farmers, pet owners, and the wonderful people who sell humanely and sustainably raised animal products at my local farmers' market.

(Photo credit: law_keven on Flickr.)

Jill Richardson
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