Post by 5webbkids on Apr 9, 2008 6:27:31 GMT -5
What really makes me mad about this is the false idea they are promoting about it being voluntary! At the federal level it's voluntary, but they are doing their best to be sure every state has a mandatory compliance program. So you don't have to join the "big" program, but you are breaking the law if you don't join the "little" program. My state is on board with this! Ugh!
Anna
----- Original Message -----
From: Liberty Ark Steering Committee
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 10:34 AM
Subject: Action Alert - National
Action Alert
Comment period on Business Plan closes April 15, 2008
The USDA is closing the comment period on its "Business Plan" for how
to implement NAIS. Comments will be accepted through April 15, and the USDA
will then review the comments and issue a revised Business Plan. You can
read the documents at
farmandranchfreedom.org/content/Government-documents
TAKE ACTION: Submit comments! In its release of the Business Plan,
USDA stated that it seeks comments on the released documents or other
aspects of NAIS, so you don't have to limit your comments strictly to the
Business Plan. Send your comments to: animalidcomments@aphis.usda.gov, or
by mail to NAIS Program Staff, USDA, APHIS, VS, 4700 River Road, Unit 200,
Riverdale, MD 20737.
It's important that people submit individualized comments, not form
letters. Talking points are included at the end of this alert, to help you
develop your comments.
TAKE ACTION #2: Send a copy of your comments to your Representative
and Senators. It is critical that Congress knows that people are notifying
USDA of their objections to NAIS and that your Congressmen understand your
objections! You can find contact information for your elected officials at
www.congress.org.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE STATES
Kentucky HB 495 has passed the legislature! The bill has been sent to
the Governor, the final stage in the process. This bill would limit the
agency to a voluntary program unless the USDA takes final action in
accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. HB 495 includes
protections against coercion. For more information, go to
www.libertyark.net/states/ky.html
Illinois HB 5776 passed the House unanimously and has been assigned to
the Rules Committee in the Senate. For more information, go to
www.libertyark.net/states/il.html
For more information, contact the Liberty Ark Coalition at
libertyark@freedom.org
MORE INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS PLAN
You can find the new documents on the USDA's website (which is
difficult to navigate) or at
farmandranchfreedom.org/content/Government-documents
Some of the flaws with the Business Plan:
* USDA starts with the assumption that NAIS is a positive program,
and the only question is how to push it through. It has not addressed the
numerous concerns raised by animal owners regarding whether the program is
needed or practical.
The agency still has not provided any scientific evidence to support
the program. In particular, the agency has provided no basis for its claim
that 48-hours is "optimal."
* The agency still has not completed a cost-benefit analysis. No
business would develop a Business Plan for implementing a program
without such an analysis
* USDA continues to ignore lower cost and less burdensome options.
For example, although it mentions the ?bookend? approach (p.12), it
clearly views this as simply a step along the path to tracking every
movement. Similarly, it discusses a critical mass of 70%, but only as a
step towards participation by every animal owner.
* The Business Plan proposes to track every horse that needs a
certificate of veterinary inspection or Coggins test when moved
(p.26). Because of state regulations, this would include many horse owners
who are involved only with local trail rides or even just take their horses
to a breeding facility. The Business Plan also proposes to establish a
national Coggins testing requirement, bringing in yet more horses.
* The Business Plan proposes using breed registries to implement
NAIS
(p.28). This method would create economic coercion on people whose
animals would have little economic value without registration.
* The Business Plan makes it clear that USDA plans to use existing
disease control programs to promote NAIS (p.30). Yet, as with the
entire NAIS program, the USDA has failed to show why this change is
necessary or cost-effective.
* The USDA confuses the goal of ?expanded electronic government?
with
imposing an electronic-based system on individuals (p.32). NAIS is
not just about government agencies using electronic systems, it is about
requiring individuals to use such systems regardless of their objections.
* The USDA continues to promote the cooperative agreements with
states
(p.36). Yet USDA has refused to address the problems that have
happened because of those agreements, including mandatory or coercive
programs being implemented in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Colorado,
Illinois, North Carolina and elsewhere. USDA cannot continue to rely on
cooperative agreements to implement this unpopular program while avoiding
responsibility for the outcomes.
* The species working groups (p.37) are fundamentally flawed.
They
are largely composed of large industry interests and technology
companies, and provide little representation for the millions of small
farmers, homesteaders, and pet owners who will be impacted by NAIS.
* The plan to use veterinarians to promote NAIS (p.38) is likely
to
lead to distrust on the part of many animal owners. Anything that
discourages animal owners from seeking help from veterinarians is
counterproductive for disease control.
* USDA ignores the technology problems that have been apparent in
trials of the NAIS technology (p.40). With electronic identification
already mandatory in Michigan, animal owners deserve a better answer than
feel-good claims that the technology will "continue to improve."
We need the millions of people who will be impacted by NAIS to speak
up! Download materials to educate people at your local feed store, sales
barn, farmers market, or co-op. Contact your legislators and explain the
problems with NAIS. Help us stop this program by educating people and
speaking up!
Anna
----- Original Message -----
From: Liberty Ark Steering Committee
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 10:34 AM
Subject: Action Alert - National
Action Alert
Comment period on Business Plan closes April 15, 2008
The USDA is closing the comment period on its "Business Plan" for how
to implement NAIS. Comments will be accepted through April 15, and the USDA
will then review the comments and issue a revised Business Plan. You can
read the documents at
farmandranchfreedom.org/content/Government-documents
TAKE ACTION: Submit comments! In its release of the Business Plan,
USDA stated that it seeks comments on the released documents or other
aspects of NAIS, so you don't have to limit your comments strictly to the
Business Plan. Send your comments to: animalidcomments@aphis.usda.gov, or
by mail to NAIS Program Staff, USDA, APHIS, VS, 4700 River Road, Unit 200,
Riverdale, MD 20737.
It's important that people submit individualized comments, not form
letters. Talking points are included at the end of this alert, to help you
develop your comments.
TAKE ACTION #2: Send a copy of your comments to your Representative
and Senators. It is critical that Congress knows that people are notifying
USDA of their objections to NAIS and that your Congressmen understand your
objections! You can find contact information for your elected officials at
www.congress.org.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE STATES
Kentucky HB 495 has passed the legislature! The bill has been sent to
the Governor, the final stage in the process. This bill would limit the
agency to a voluntary program unless the USDA takes final action in
accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. HB 495 includes
protections against coercion. For more information, go to
www.libertyark.net/states/ky.html
Illinois HB 5776 passed the House unanimously and has been assigned to
the Rules Committee in the Senate. For more information, go to
www.libertyark.net/states/il.html
For more information, contact the Liberty Ark Coalition at
libertyark@freedom.org
MORE INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS PLAN
You can find the new documents on the USDA's website (which is
difficult to navigate) or at
farmandranchfreedom.org/content/Government-documents
Some of the flaws with the Business Plan:
* USDA starts with the assumption that NAIS is a positive program,
and the only question is how to push it through. It has not addressed the
numerous concerns raised by animal owners regarding whether the program is
needed or practical.
The agency still has not provided any scientific evidence to support
the program. In particular, the agency has provided no basis for its claim
that 48-hours is "optimal."
* The agency still has not completed a cost-benefit analysis. No
business would develop a Business Plan for implementing a program
without such an analysis
* USDA continues to ignore lower cost and less burdensome options.
For example, although it mentions the ?bookend? approach (p.12), it
clearly views this as simply a step along the path to tracking every
movement. Similarly, it discusses a critical mass of 70%, but only as a
step towards participation by every animal owner.
* The Business Plan proposes to track every horse that needs a
certificate of veterinary inspection or Coggins test when moved
(p.26). Because of state regulations, this would include many horse owners
who are involved only with local trail rides or even just take their horses
to a breeding facility. The Business Plan also proposes to establish a
national Coggins testing requirement, bringing in yet more horses.
* The Business Plan proposes using breed registries to implement
NAIS
(p.28). This method would create economic coercion on people whose
animals would have little economic value without registration.
* The Business Plan makes it clear that USDA plans to use existing
disease control programs to promote NAIS (p.30). Yet, as with the
entire NAIS program, the USDA has failed to show why this change is
necessary or cost-effective.
* The USDA confuses the goal of ?expanded electronic government?
with
imposing an electronic-based system on individuals (p.32). NAIS is
not just about government agencies using electronic systems, it is about
requiring individuals to use such systems regardless of their objections.
* The USDA continues to promote the cooperative agreements with
states
(p.36). Yet USDA has refused to address the problems that have
happened because of those agreements, including mandatory or coercive
programs being implemented in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Colorado,
Illinois, North Carolina and elsewhere. USDA cannot continue to rely on
cooperative agreements to implement this unpopular program while avoiding
responsibility for the outcomes.
* The species working groups (p.37) are fundamentally flawed.
They
are largely composed of large industry interests and technology
companies, and provide little representation for the millions of small
farmers, homesteaders, and pet owners who will be impacted by NAIS.
* The plan to use veterinarians to promote NAIS (p.38) is likely
to
lead to distrust on the part of many animal owners. Anything that
discourages animal owners from seeking help from veterinarians is
counterproductive for disease control.
* USDA ignores the technology problems that have been apparent in
trials of the NAIS technology (p.40). With electronic identification
already mandatory in Michigan, animal owners deserve a better answer than
feel-good claims that the technology will "continue to improve."
We need the millions of people who will be impacted by NAIS to speak
up! Download materials to educate people at your local feed store, sales
barn, farmers market, or co-op. Contact your legislators and explain the
problems with NAIS. Help us stop this program by educating people and
speaking up!