TAHC half-truths, lies and disinformation

TAHC launches NAIS propaganda campaign.

 
TAHC’s recent brochure is filled with incomplete and misleading statements.

Comments on TAHC propaganda

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FARFA

The italicized comments below are an attempt to correct some of these statements.

There are many more problems with NAIS than can be reflected in this response; it is intended only to address some of the specific issues raised by TACH’s brochure. For more information, please visit www.farmandranchfreedom.org or contact us. Judith McGeary Executive Director Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance ww.farmandranchfreedom.org (512) 243-9404

In a Nutshell: NAIS

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is designed to provide the capacity to rapidly identify all animals and premises (sites) that have had direct contact with a disease.  NAIS consists of three components:
        1. Premises (or site) identification
        2. Animal identification
        3. Animal tracking.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set “benchmarks” for completing each component of the program.  By January 2007, 25 percent of the country’s premises are to be registered. By January 2008--70 percent of the premises are to be signed up, and by January 2009, the three components are to be fully functioning.

RESPONSE:  “Fully functioning” is a very vague phrase, especially given that the USDA has set a very specific goal: 100% of premises registered, 100% of new animals identified, and 60% of new animals with complete tracking data.  It appears that TAHC is trying to obscure the fact that this program will be “voluntary” only if everyone “voluntarily” complies, a rather novel definition of the word.

Premises Identification

The program is national, but each state is responsible for implementing premises identification. Premises are locations where livestock or fowl are handled, managed, housed, or processed.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), as of May 2006, has implemented premises identification on a voluntary basis.  Proposed regulations for mandatory identification were “tabled” until at least 2007.

Identifying a premises involves obtaining a seven-character alpha-numeric “identifier” for the farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or other site where livestock or fowl are handled, housed, managed or processed. Signing up can be accomplished on the TAHC web site or by mail.

Information requested includes the contact person’s name, phone number, the premises’ physical address, and a list of species raised on the site. Acreage or herd or flock size is not requested.

Animal Identification

This component of the NAIS will “come on line” gradually, and will involve identifying livestock and fowl that are moved from their premises of origin (place of birth).  Depending on the species of animal, the identification may be accomplished with a tag, band,  microchip, radio frequency identification device (RFID tag) or other form of identification. 

RESPONSE:  Although the Draft Plan mentions all of these forms of identification, it is also clear that the electronic forms – microchips and RFID devices – are intended to be required for most species.  The USDA Draft Plan identifies RFID tags as the “preferred form of identification” (Program Standards, p.6), and the chart for cattle specifies ISO RFID tags in particular as the “ID Method to be used” (Standards p.20).  The Equine Working Group has recommended that ISO chips be the standard for horses (ESWG Recommendation #13, May 24, 2005). 

Notably, the ISO chip is not the microchip most commonly used in the U.S. at this time, emits on a different frequency than the chip currently used, and will require facilities to purchase new scanners in order to be able to even detect the presence of the ISO chips.

Animal Tracking

Animal tracking databases, approved by the USDA and operated by companies, associations or other entities, will hold livestock and fowl movement information. This data will be accessed by animal health regulatory agencies for disease control purposes.

Dispelling Rumors, Myths & Misinformation

I’ve got only one animal, so why do I need to have my premises identified?
Your one animal may be as susceptible to disease as the herd or flock with hundreds. In the event of disease, state and federal animal health veterinarians and inspectors must ensure that all disease is stamped out. Going door-to-door to locate susceptible animals that must be tested or vaccinated is inefficient and costly!

Wouldn’t you want to know if a disease incident occurs in your area, so you can take proper precautions? Identifying all premises enables an efficient and effective response to disease.

RESPONSE: What TAHC fails to mention is that this program simply shifts the cost to small farmers, ranchers, and hobby animal owners.  TAHC also ignores that NAIS is itself inefficient and costly.  Who will pay for all of the electronic tags?  Who will pay for the upkeep of the databases?  Even if one only looks at premises registration, it is a bureaucratic mess already.  At the last TAHC meeting in May, TAHC staff stated that they are two months behind in entering premises registration information into their database.  This backlog is due to just 12,000 premises being registered, which is about 5% of the total premises that TAHC estimates are in the state of Texas.  How many employees will they have to hire to handle 20 times as many premises? How much will be invested in computer equipment?

There are many ways to contact animal owners in the event of an outbreak, including public service announcements and postings at local feed stores. TAHC has not done any comparison of the cost and effectiveness of these alternative methods.

I read that dogs and cats are included.
No. The NAIS involves livestock, fowl and poultry.  Some of the species included are cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, exotic hoof stock, chickens, turkeys.

All chickens will be microchipped!
NAIS does not include plans for microchipping chickens.  When animal identification goes into effect, an identifying wing band or leg band would suffice for movement of birds, or for commingling birds from different flocks.

RESPONSE: Under the USDA Draft Program Standards, animal identification tags must meet the following requirements: (1) bear the entire 15-digit number; (2) be designed for one-time use; (3) may not be readily altered; (4) the animal identification number must be easily and reliably readable; and (5) the tag must have the U.S. Shield imprinted.  (USDA Draft Program Standards at p.7.) A chicken’s leg band cannot accommodate a 15-digit number unless it was in unreadably small print.  While the agency may not intend to force people to microchip their chickens, leg bands can not meet NAIS requirements.

Someone said I have to register my premises, because I have a parakeet.
No. Persons who owns birds kept as house pets do not need to register their premises, if they do not propagate birds for sale or trade. In a bird disease situation, these birds may be tested and may come under the same movement restrictions as other fowl.

RESPONSE: While the TAHC has issued PR statements about this exception, the exception has not been formalized in the regulations. The proposed regulations promulgated by TAHC would indeed require people to register their home if they have a pet bird. TAHC essentially appears to be saying that it simply won’t enforce its regulations as written – until it decides that there is a “disease situation.”

Owners of aviaries and bird breeders or sellers should register their premises.

I have to identify my pet animals...or my animals used for MY food!
No. If your animals are raised for your own use, and they don’t leave the premises (site) you won’t need to identify them. 

RESPONSE:  Although possibly technically correct, this statement is incomplete.  Animals will not need to be identified and tracked only if they are born on the premises, never leave the premises, die on the premises, and are not commingled with animals from a different premises.  Many people who raise livestock as pets or for their own food do not have breeding flocks and herds, which are expensive and difficult to maintain.  For example, when day old chicks are purchased to provide egg-laying hens or meat birds, they would have to be identified when they leave the hatchery. Once identified and in the system, the owner have to report “events” in their life.  Since reportable events include slaughter, then someone raising chickens for their own food will have to report to the government when one of those chickens dies or is killed, whether it was due to disease or not.

When animal identification goes into effect, only the animals that leave their premises of origin will be identified.  If you haul your calf, pig or other animals to the local slaughter plant for custom processing for your consumption, the animal may not need to be identified.

RESPONSE:  “May not” is not an answer. The USDA’s documents do not include an exception of the sort that is referenced here, nor has the TAHC provided any official documents showing that there will be such as exception.  Indeed, the USDA Draft Plan specifies that animal identification collection at “packing plants will be a priority,” indicating precisely the opposite.  (USDA Draft Plan at p.8.)  In the USDA’s most recent release on April 6, 2006, it focused on the “collection of termination records” as being of particular importance (USDA Strategies for the Implementation of NAIS at p.7.)

Reports say you’re going to charge $1,000 a day for not participating!
Premises identification is voluntary now.

RESPONSE: While premises registration is voluntary "now," both the USDA and the TAHC have been absolutely clear that they believe that nothing less than 100% participation is satisfactory.  So it will only be "voluntary" as long as we all comply.

 The TAHC is a regulatory agency and has administrative penalty provisions in its law as a recourse for persons who refuse to comply with livestock and poultry health regulations. The administrative penalties apply to all TAHC regulations and are imposed by an administrative law judge only after an individual has been issued a warning, provided opportunity for compliance, and allowed a hearing.

RESPONSE: True, but again incomplete.  The bottom line is that TAHC will have the authority to impose fines of up to $1,000/day and even criminal penalties.  We are expected to trust that they will use this power responsibly. They have made no exceptions for people whose religious beliefs prevent them from complying, nor for people raising their own food, nor for any other rational basis.

This ID program was made just to benefit the “big producer!”
The average cattle herd size in Texas is less than 35!  There are many, many producers in Texas who have only a few animals. This program includes all producers.

RESPONSE: The program may include all producers, but the provisions will affect small farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, and hobby animal owners very differently from commercial producers.  The TAHC continues to avoid the issue of the difference in the affect of the program on different people.  The TAHC’s proposed premises registration regulations imposed the same fee on an individual raising one animal as on a commercial producer with thousands of animals.  Moreover, the TAHC has failed to address the issue that the group identification numbers – as outlined by Dr. Hillman in his February 16 th presentation – will be useful to large, commercial confinement operations, but will not apply to the vast majority of small producers.  Thus, the small producers will bear even heavier burdens than the commercial producers when it comes to animal identification and tracking.  The TAHC is also ignoring the fact that the costs of tags, and all of the related equipment, will be much lower for large producers who can buy in bulk.

The TAHC is also avoiding the fact that the program was developed by, and at the request of large producers, with no input from small producers. This fact is clearly reflected in the USDA’s own documents; the Draft Plan states, at p.9, that the NAIS concept was first developed by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. NIAA’s membership is dominated by large commercial agricultural interests (such as Cargill Meat, Monsanto, and the National Pork Producers Council) and companies that provide tagging and tracking equipment and computerized services (such as Global Vet Link, Micro Beef Technologies, and Digital Angel). (see http://animalagriculture.org/aboutNIAA/members/memberdirectory.asp) The dominance of agri-industry, technology companies, and large associations (who will be perfectly situated to run the databases at a profit) is reflected in the membership of the working groups as well.

I don’t sell overseas; why should I care about animal ID?
In today’s global economy, product from the animal you sell at the local livestock market could end up on the dinner table
in one of many countries.

Although the program will aid in marketing U.S. products, its greatest advantage will be to make disease response here at home, faster, more effective and more efficient.

RESPONSE: No agency has actually done a cost-benefit analysis to determine is this statement is accurate.  It certainly sounds good on the surface, but they have not substantiated any of the disease claims.

I’ll have to call the “government” each time I ride my horse, haul my sheep, or take my pigs to a show.

That’s not necessary!  However, please call if you have questions, would like disease information, or need entry regulations for shows or travel.

Animal tracking information will be recorded in private databases. When implemented, movements can be reported by computer, or by paper document.

RESPONSE:  The stated goal of NAIS is to “be able to identify all animals and premises that have had contact with a foreign or domestic animal disease of concern within 48 hours after discovery.”   This cannot be achieved with paper documents.    Indeed, the TAHC has repeatedly stated that one of the reasons they want to implement NAIS is because of the slowness of paper records.  The draft Plan and Program Standards provide that people must report within 24 hours, something that is not feasible with paper documents.  In fact, at the most recent TAHC meeting, the staff stated that they are 2 months behind in entering premises registration, even though only 12,000 (out of over 200,000 premises) have registered.  And the problems with premises registration will be magnified many times over when individual animals are required to be tagged and tracked.

National species-specific working groups are determining which movements need to be reported, how specific species should be identified, and how to make the program work for the producer. 

These groups are comprised of association representatives, owners of large and small flocks or herds, and state and federal members.  The Equine Species Working Group, for instance, is wrestling with reporting issues.

RESPONSE: The TAHC is apparently unaware that the Equine Species Working Group submitted recommendations to the USDA in 2004 and again in 2005.  The recommendations specifically addressed reporting, as follows: “Recommendation #10: When horses are transported interstate, intrastate when commingled with other horses or livestock , or to premises or events where a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), or other equine health papers such as Coggins are required, the movement must be reported to the appropriate USDA NAIS database(s).”  While the Group may choose to amend its recommendations, the implication that people will not have to report every time they ride their horse off of their property is incorrect.  

Horses aren’t food animals. They don’t need to be included.
The NAIS isn’t a food safety program. It is a  tool to address animal disease. Horses are susceptible to a number of diseases. Also, during a disease outbreak, horses may be “caught up” in movement restrictions or requirements, even if they are not susceptible to the disease, because viruses and bacteria can be carried on hooves and hides of animals, on  vehicles, clothing and equipment.

When animal movement tracking goes into effect, will I report every ride?
The Equine Species Working Group, in a recent document states: “Not every single movement of a horse will have to be reported. Movements such as local trail rides, shows or ropings wouldn’t be required reportable events. It is likely that movements would be reportable when horses are transported interstate or to a premises where a brand inspection, certificate of veterinary inspection, or other health papers are required.”

RESPONSE: Again, the TAHC appears entirely ignorant of the Equine Species Working Group’s recommendations to the USDA and even TAHC's own regulations governing equines. As quoted above, the Equine Species Working Group’s current recommendation would require reporting anytime horses are commingled with other horses or livestock, or taken to an event where a health certificate or Coggins is required.  In other words, taking a horse to a local trail ride, show, or roping will have to be reported. 

Even if the recommendation is amended to limit reporting to when a horse is taken to a premises where “health papers are required,” the TAHC’s regulations would mean that reporting is required whenever a horse is taken to trail ride, show, or roping event.  Under TAHC’s regulations, an individual must have a negative Coggins test if the horse participates “in any assembly,” which specifically includes “parades, rodeos, roping events, and trail rides.”  Moreover, horses that “utilize or ride on publicly accessible equestrian trails, and public lands open to equestrian riding, where a congregation of equine can occur” must have a negative Coggins test.  See 4 TAC §49.1(o) & (q).  

I already have a scrapie number.
The scrapie number, used for sheep and some goats, is not automatically “rolled over” to a premises registration number. Eventually, the premises identification will replace the scrapie number.

How about 4H and FFA kids?
Youths who house their animals at home can use their parents’ premises identification.

If the parents don’t have animals and don’t need a premises identification, the student may be able to use the identification issued to the 4H Club or FFA Chapter.

RESPONSE:  Yet, the TAHC’s agent, the Texas Extension Service, published a newsletter just last month, April 2006, aimed at 4-H members, which stated: “ 4-H Members Must Register Their Premises Under The National Animal Identification System ... The regulations call for premises registration to be mandatory for all livestock producers beginning July 1, 2006.”  (http://caldwell-co.tamu.edu/newsletters/AprilNewsletter.pdf, emphasis in original).

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An American Rancher's Wife

I just read an email post from the Texas Animal Health Commission that "supposedly" dispels  "myths", "rumors" and "misinformation" regarding the Texas Premises registration rules and the USDA's proposed "National" Animal ID System plan. The TAHC makes claims that some small ranchers, livestock or horse owners may be generating these alleged myths.

First of all, the Texas Animal Health Commission will not say how many farms and ranches that supposedly already "voluntarily" registered their premises, did so unwittingly. They are touting that over 14,000 farms have already registered their premises so you will think that the majority of livestock owners are actually "for" this plan. I personally know livestock owners who were told that the personal farm and livestock information they gave out was supposedly only for the express purpose of a farm survey. They did not know that they were actually registering their farms, nor did they want their premises registered. The TAHC and other paid agents also went around for months falsely telling people they were required by law to register their premises, or be in violation of the law if not registered by July 1, 2006.  Now these citizens are stuck and cannot be removed from the TAHC premise registration tax role! Talk about "misinformation"! I also know ranchers that were given only a small portion of one-sided  information at meetings and said they now wished they had had time to study and review more about what they were being told. 

Secondly, I have not spoken to a single person that wants to record every movement they make with their horses. I know of no one that wants the government tracking them period! I know of no small rancher that wants another expense and less profit. I know of no animal owner that wants to be "turned in" for non-compliance by a visiting veterinarian or by a disgruntled neighbor. Some non-microchipped animals could even suffer and die on family farms due to the owner's fear of being "turned in" by veterinarians instead of seeking medical attention.

The Texas government will actually be putting livestock owners in the same category as Texas sex offenders, registering and tracking every movement!  Who else in Texas but a sex offender is required to register his premises (where he lives and where he/she is going)? It should not be a crime to own animals! Connect the dots and you will see where this can and will lead in the future.

The only way to quell your fears about being "turned in" would be to sell all of your livestock or horses. How convenient for the big corporate ranches. No competition. Down the road, what and who will they be tracking after they gain control of farmers and ranchers and push most of them out of business? Free country? Yeah right! Hitler started small too.

What really needs to be dispelled is the false fear being generated by the USDA and the TAHC concerning disease. Disease has been on this earth for millions of years and the majority of disease is spread through insects, wild animals or simply through the air. The NAIS is about nothing more than government control, money and power although they want you to believe it will help stop the spread of disease. The "big money" tentacles are so far-reaching that we cannot grasp the depths of influence for this controlling, political, pork-laden boondoggle. They want us to believe that we should trust them and we should go ahead and comply and be good little people for our own good.  Don't worry they say, you won't get fined up to $1000 per day until after you get a warning at a administrative hearing. That should give you time to gather money for an attorney and put you out of business anyway! Everyone wins except the small  family farmer and rancher. The lawyers, the veterinarians, the corporate ranches, the microchip manufacturers, the list goes on and on!

Don't worry, they say, we won't make you microchip your chickens, just a wing band or leg band will suffice, at your own expense of course. Don't worry you "may" not have to report every movement with your horse "yet". Did you hear about any studies on the effects of microchips in your horse's necks? Don't worry about your children's 4-H projects. As long as the parents register, you won't be in trouble. Dogs and cats? Not yet. Let the USDA get their foot in the door first. 

The TAHC is telling us that we shouldn't mind the costs of micro chipping, tagging, banding and keeping more records. Never mind that good records and stop measures are currently in place and working. They are saying we really won't mind being tracked or paying more taxes and incurring more expenses.

The TAHC and the USDA sure won't mind if all the small farmers and ranchers throw in the towel. The fact is, the USDA and the  TAHC will go to any lengths to make the public as well as all livestock owners think this is all a "good" thing. Keep in mind the fact that several groups and associations are getting paid to tell you this is all good for us. You may belong to one or more of these associations. Stop and think how much money these associations may profit later by using your membership. Some of the people heading up these associations are the big corporate ranch owners that are doing all the exporting! Did they ask you or their general membership for a vote? They don't care! If the corporate ranch owners think it will help them to export more beef and want to microchip their animals voluntarily, then let them go for it! I certainly don't want any part of imported beef but that is another avenue this is leading us down.

I'm not even scratching the surface about the profiting that will occur at our expense and the freedom we will lose. They either want you to go to sleep on this issue or they will keep telling you anything to make this sound okay and that there's nothing to worry about. They want you to think that it will be easy, painless, cheap, keep you from getting a disease, not cost you even more later, or that it won't develop into a "snitch program" or raise food prices.

So, what if the only beef you can buy in the future is genetically altered and laced with hormones and antibiotics from some big corporate feed lots? As long as the NAIS helps the big corporate ranches with exporting and brings in billions of dollars to the government then it's all good for the rest of us. The government can't track illegal aliens but they will be more than happy to take our money and say they can track every animal! Don't even think about all of the wild animals that spread disease! Just send them your money, tell them where you are located and the government will take care of you. Sounds wonderful doesn't it?

The USDA and the TAHC's talk about the NAIS being postponed and will not happen this year or next is not a comforting thought either. They just want you to forget about it and allow them to push it through Congress through influence by big company lobbyists. They are postponing it with the hopes the family farmer and rancher will tire of the issue. I hope they have, once again,  misjudged the response of the American people and our independent spirit.  They are saying don't worry, trust us, we are postponing this until a later date........well, I can read between those lines and I say,  "NEVER" is the only acceptable date for my family!

Myths they say? I think not. Valid concerns from average citizens that value their family farms, ranches, rights and freedom that many brave soldiers fought and died for!

It's almost election time. Please research every candidate's stance on the NAIS plan through phone calls, e-mails and websites and vote responsibly! We, the "silent majority" need to be heard! Also write and call your incumbent officials today! Tell them how you feel. Many people are unaware that this is happening or they don't believe it's real. Tell friends, neighbors and relatives even if they don't own a farm! Ask them to speak out too! You can direct them to www.farmandranchfreedom.org or www.texasanimalhealthcommissionwatch.com to learn more and everyone can sign up for free e-mail alerts here: http://www.farmandranchfreedom.org/action.html Our freedom and life as we know it on the American farm depends on you! Please stay informed and please pass this on! Thank you!

~ An American Rancher's Wife

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Mike Kelley

The only folks that are spinning "many myths, rumors and misinformation" about premises and animal identification" is people like Carla Everett head of propaganda at TAHC, the people TAHC paid to convince you that NAIS is a good thing and all the other freeloaders that stand to make a buck off livestock owners.

Lets just look at just one of Everett's comments.

I’ll have to call the “government” each time I ride my horse, haul my sheep, or take my pigs to a show.
That’s not necessary! However, please call if you have questions, would like disease information, or need entry regulations for shows or travel.

Animal tracking information will be recorded in private databases. When implemented, movements can be reported by computer, or by paper document.

National species-specific working groups are determining which movements need to be reported, how specific species should be identified, and how to make the program work for the producer.

These groups are comprised of association representatives, owners of large and small flocks or herds, and state and federal
members. The Equine Species Working Group, for instance, is wrestling with reporting issues.
This is outright disinformation. USDA proposed program calls for the mandatory reporting of any animal that commingles with other animals at another premises. You would have 24 hours after the event to report this movement. What good would this program be if a sick animal was commingled with a gathering of animal at some type of event and the commingling was not reported? How would the trace back system work if the event was not reported ?

Is what Everett really saying here is "take it easy horse owners we don't really give a dam about your horse, we just want to be able to collect fee's from you". Pay us and we will leave you alone? Folks need to understand that USDA proposed NAIS program is nothing more than a protection racket just like the Chicago mob's protection racket in the 30's. The boys at the top recruiting different levels of mobsters to put the muscle on little guys. NAIS is nothing more than a money pyramid scheme.

People need to be aware that TAHC is a state agency that has been floundering around for years. It's staff and budget has been reduced by state legislators for a number of budget cycles. TAHC is truly a redundant state agency, one who's duties need to be placed under the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Veterinary Laboratory. The State of Texas Comptrollers office has called for this. You can read the Comptrollers report at http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/etxaddnl/gg41.html It's no wonder Everett wants to convince horse owners to layback and enjoy the ride till it's to late. Clayton Williams in his bid for Texas Governor back in 1990 had the same thought on rape " if rape is inevitable the lady should lay back and enjoy it " Is this what Everett has in mind for us horse owners ?
Lets look at the Equine Species Working Group that allegedly represents us horse owners. I urge everyone to go to this link and look at the ESWG new handout about NAIS at: http://www.horsecouncil.org/06%20ESWG%20-%20NAIS%20Informational%20Booklet.pdf You have to read it about 3 or 4 times to really comprehend what they are saying. They pretend to represent us horse owners, but if you get out the magnifying glass you will see they are all for it and will go to any length to convince us.

Why? Many groups that set on the ESWG stand to PROFITT from NAIS. In fact I would suspect if you looked into it, many are receiving funds from the USDA or USDA funds are channeled thru various states agencies like TAHC to convince you NAIS is a good deal. (For a list of who we know TAHC is paying here in Texas look at this link: http://www.texasanimalhealthcommissionwatch.com/paidadvocates.htm ). Many of these organization would like nothing more than to run the so called data registries for their breed/group, so they can collect fees from you every time you have an reportable event.

Take the AQHA for example. A lot of folks like myself, joined AQHA in order to transfer the registration of their horses. We don't breed so we did not renew our membership in AQHA. Our choice. That's the last dollars AQHA got out of us. Just think how profitable it would be for them if I just happened to chose them from the USDA approved NAIS data bases. The AQHA will get me to pay them annual dues or every time I have a reportable event you can bet I will have to pay some type of reporting fee. Nobody is going to do anything for free. NAIS is about money and control; from USDA to Everett keeping her job to ESWG members growing their respective membership dues.

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