Homestead mailing list

["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

FYI, forwarded from our local 4-H livestock leaders.

Lynda
= = = = =
The following document is the Report of the Committee on Livestock
Identification of the U.S. Animal Health Association, from a meeting on
October 17, 2006.  Present at the meeting were USDA Undersecretary Bruce 
Knight, Dr. John Clifford, Dr. John Wiemers, and Neil Hammerschmidt.

http://www.usaha.org/committees/reports/2006/report-id-2006.pdf

On p. 14 of this document we have a hint about a very dangerous game that
the USDA may be intending to play with our way of life and our ability to
keep livestock.  The last paragraph on page 14 describes a recommendation
that this Committee of the USAHA has made to the USDA.  The Committee has 
recommended that, prior to July 1, 2007, the USDA should promulgate an 
"interim rule" that would prohibit interstate movement of cattle from any 
state that fails to REQUIRE THAT ALL BREEDING AGE CATTLE BE OFFICIALLY 
IDENTIFIED at each change of ownership.  Such an "interim rule" would make 
it impossible for any state to resist, because it would become economically 
isolated.  Also note that an "interim rule" can be promulgated WITH NO PRIOR 
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

Is the USDA planning to follow this Committee recommendation and force NAIS 
upon the entire nation by means of a dictatorial "interim rule"?  It is bad 
enough that the USDA has been killing off American agriculture for decades; 
don't let them kill off democracy.

Please send a copy of this message to your U.S. Congressman and your two
U.S. Senators.  This scheme must be stopped in its tracks.