A NAIS Kind of day

I was going to tell you about my weekend, but I woke to 81 messages in my in-box about NAIS. I thought I would share a few with you, as I know that some of you are very interested in what is going on.

USDA Unveils New NAIS Web Site
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a re-designed Web site covering the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). There are several new features including the "NAIS Library," which contains all the relevant print information USDA has issued on NAIS, and "text that presents the NAIS with greater clarity and brevity."
The new Web site can be found at USDA/NAIS
~~~
Thus far, USDA has invested around $85 million in NAIS. Will you demand NAIS when you buy your food? A speech from Bruce I. Knight, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

~~~
I have several e-mails from ranchers in Wisconsin that claim that vet are not taking blood from their animals because said ranchers are not signed up with NAIS. If I get a news report, I will link you to it.
~~~

Forcing the mark of the beast on the Amish?

"Farms the Amish communities run are small and family owned, with healthy free-range animals. For these small farmers, the principle of computer chipping their animals brings up strong resistance and alarm. Religious convictions, that RFID chips are the mark of the beast, means the demands of government to mark their animals brings it one step closer to marking their people. The Amish have fought off government infringement before."
~~~

Wisconsin, I feel for you

~~~
Want to help stop NAIS in Virgina? Go to the VICFA website.
~~~
I think that will do it for now. I have so many e-mails to go through, and I really want to get my hands on that "New Users Guide" It sounds as though they are not going to force us but you will not be able to sell your animals nor have blood drawn without being in NAIS. I have also heard it said that if you are not part of the NAIS and you report an illness, your premise will be "depopulate."

Please remember that this program will not stop terrorism, it will not protect you from food borne illnesses. This program does take away our freedoms. Forget Wal-mart, forget Cargill and buy local. Big Business only wants this program so they can make more money and put the small family farm out of business, why it could even put the large family farms out of business. If you really want to protect yourself from possible animal disease exposure, tell the USDA to stop allowing the import of chickens that come from countries that have the avian flu.

As always, all opinions are welcome here.