New Plans to Microchip All Livestock in U.S. Could Devastate Organic Farmers

[Guest guest]

http://www.mercola.com/2006/apr/20/new_plans_to_microchip_all_livestock_in_us_co\

uld_devastate_organic_farmers.htm

 

 

 

New Plans to Microchip All Livestock in U.S. Could Devastate Organic

Farmers

 

The plan for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), issued

by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) almost a year ago, calls

for the identification and tracking of every farm animal using RFID

and GPS technology for the stated purpose of containing diseases like

mad cow.

 

Report Within 24 Hours

 

It also requires any farm or home that houses a single livestock

animal to be registered with governmental agencies, and stipulates

that any movement off the registered premises must be reported within

24 hours.

 

Devastating to Small Farmers

Many have complained that the plan requires livestock owners to pay

for the identification out-of-pocket, as well as perform

time-consuming reporting. This could have the effect of devastating

small, local, and organic farmers, who would be unable to afford the

costs.

 

Stop Animal ID.org

 

Reliable Answers.com February 12, 2006

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) is an amazing

technology that eases inventory tracking by companies selling products

all over the world. Wal-Mart was the major corporate force to

introduce this technology into U.S. business.

 

Like nearly any technology, RFID can be used for good or evil. Three

years ago I wrote how many conservative Christians felt that RFID

chips may be the " Mark of the Beast " described in the chapter of

Revelations.

 

This technology can also be used by major corporations to force small

farmers out of business. They can use the fear of mad cow disease and

other created artificial pandemics like the Great Bird Flu Hoax to

legislate this expensive technology on small farmers.

 

This is particularly tragic as small farmers are one of the primary

sources of solid nutrition for enlightened individuals that recognize

that. One of my major goals is to eventually help develop a network

that would allow consumers in the United States to more easily connect

with these amazing sources of pure food.

 

If this measure is enacted it could -- literally -- nearly overnight

wipe out most all the small organic farmers. They simply don't have

the financial means and resources to secure these high-tech gadgets

and implement the required expensive reporting systems.

 

The end result will be that large-scale factory farmers raising sick,

unhealthy animals on the cheap will be able to afford these measures,

while those raising healthy, free-range animals in local farms with

more expensive feed and care, and smaller profit margins, will find

the additional costs insurmountable.

 

Folks, this is serious business that will no doubt affect your access

to clean and reasonably priced healthy food in the future.

 

I urge you to review the links below along with the USDA's plan, for

right now just a voluntary one, and get your Congressman involved

today before it's too late. You can also send comments directly to:

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Animal & Plant Inspection

Service, NAIS Subcommittee, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC

20250.

 

Other federal officials to contact are:

 

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, Saxby

Chambliss, Chairman, Room SR-328A, Russell Senate Office Building,

Washington, DC 20510-6000, and also the House Committee on

Agriculture, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman, 1301 Longworth House Office

Building, Washington DC 20515.

 

If the measure goes through as planned, it will be mandatory by 2008,

and in some states, such as Wisconsin, even earlier than that, so it's

important to act now while there's still time left.

 

Related Articles:

 

Mad Cow Disease: A Mysterious Disease Explained

 

Under Your Skin Computer Chip Has Now Arrived

 

New Mad Cow Regs Aren't Enough

[Guest guest]

When you contact the USDA and, more importnatly your

representatives in the Congress, emphasize that

organic beef should be exempt because, by its very

definition, the cattle are not fed animal products and

grass fed beef is not even fed grain. Thus, organic

farmers should be exempt from this burden.