The Wisconsin Ag Connection online is reporting that a coalition of 100 agriculture organizations have sent letters to both Congress and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) asking that federal law makers “dissolve the National Animal Identification System” (NAIS) completely.The letter states the organizations, “'look forward to working with USDA to enhance our nation's animal disease preparedness in a manner that builds upon our past successes and respects the interests of U.S. livestock producers and consumers.'”
Congress, in the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations legislation, reduced NAIS funding to $5.3 million and did not specify how the funds should be allocated. The farm organizations are asking federal lawmakers to use the funds to put an end to the program altogether.
The letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack states, ‘"We respectfully request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognize the fundamental flaws in NAIS and the public opposition to the program, and not use the $5.3 million appropriated for NAIS to further advance, in any way, this program [.]"’
The Wisconsin Ag Connection reports the groups would like to see the funds used to withdraw “all pending rulemaking” put forward to advance NAIS. They would also like the government to pay the costs for doing this, as well as pay for “all existing contractual obligations and NAIS-related costs that USDA incurred prior to Sept. 30, 2009 [.]” The groups also ask to government to take on additional costs associated with ending the program.
To read the Wisconsin Ag Connection article click here.
Posted: 11/24/09
