USDA is destroying small farmers in America!
Saturday, June 13th, 2009Please take time to read the following news release about the horrible NAIS program the USDA is forcing farmers across the county to partake in. This will destroy small farms across America. Our major Media so far has not covered this huge story.
Links to video’s of many Farmers testifying about the horrors of this program!
Many farmers aren’t worried as much about terrorists on foreign lands as they are of the USDA right here in America!
- Bob Parker
Press Release – For immediate release
Contact – Paul Hamby, NW MO Coordinator, Campaign for Liberty, 816 632 0602
- http://www.campaignforliberty.com/profile.php?member=Paul_Hamby
- http://www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/MO/
On Tuesday, 300 farmers, ranchers, and consumers came to Jefferson City Missouri to voice their opinion on the controversial NAIS Animal ID system.
55 attendees spoke at the USDA microphone. All were against mandatory NAIS, with the exception of one speaker. Concerns ranged from the cost of the program putting small and medium farmers out of business to Constitutional rights being violated. The USDA’s credibility was questioned. USDA called for a mandatory NAIS program in 2005, but backed off due to overwhelming public outcry. Today, the USDA is publicly stating they want a voluntary NAIS. However in Wisconsin and Michigan, a Mandatory NAIS program is being implemented with USDA funds.
USDA is being criticized for not holding listening sessions in those states where Mandatory NAIS is now the law of the farm land.
21 videos are posted from the Jefferson City Missouri listening session here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/farmboi64469 [Permission is granted for free use of these audio and video clips for your news stories]
Senator Chuck Purgason reminded the USDA that the Missouri legislature voted last year to ban Mandatory NAIS unless specifically authorized by the Missouri state legislature. Watch Senator Purgason here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPY6X1kbQt0
Senator Wes Shoemyer told the USDA that Food Safety could be improved by diverting the money they are spending on NAIS to improved inspection services. He referenced a 1998 study with concerns about sanitation at food processing facilities. The USDA has reduced their food inspection program since 1998. Watch Senator Shoemyer’s comments here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA1HJi_cf_U
Galen Bontrager, a young Iowa grass based farmer asked “How is this a voluntary program when 4-H and FFA participants are not allowed to show their livestock unless they sign up for NAIS?” “To the officials of the USDA, my message to you is; Just as our farms have prospered in the past, without your invention, our farms will prosper in the future without your intervention.”
Mr. Bontrager received a standing ovation. Watch Mr. Bontrager’s comments here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB6iFd_sFTQ
A Wisconsin farmer drove 7 hours to give his 3 minute comment. He asked “Why are Amish in Wisconsin in litigation [with the government] when they are not participating in this program? They say you don’t have to participate if NAIS is against your religious beliefs. It’s not true. They are telling us a bunch of lies.“ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYg_kR2elxo
Rhonda Perry, representing 5600 members of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center said; “NAIS appears to be a solution in search of a problem and does not do anything to improve food safety or animal health. If USDA is sincere in its attempts to protect livestock producers, consumers and animal health then you would look at where the demonstrated problems have actually happened. We’ve seen millions of pounds of meat recalled, that was not the fault of the livestock producers. We’ve seen USDA continue to allow imports from other countries with known disease problems. That also is not the fault of independent family farmers. We see industrial livestock operations that created incredible environmental health and food safety concerns. That also is not the fault of independent family farmers.” “We believe that a program like this could only be implemented by a lack of understanding or ignorance on the part of this administration. That is OK. Ignorance can be overcome by hearing the truth. But if this becomes an all out corporate sell out to corporate agriculture, then that will just be forever wrong”
Watch Rhonda Perry’s full comments here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=712jhLv2kfA
Only one person, Brent Sandidge, a Saline County Pork Producer spoke in favor of NAIS Mandatory Animal ID. The National Pork Producer Association stands to gain millions of dollars from the NAIS because their association is first in line to manage one of the USDA data bases. You can watch Mr. Sandidge here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ91JF4rSc0
USDA is continuing the listening sessions in South Dakota on June 11 and New Mexico on June 16. Details on future listening sessions are here; http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/feedback.shtml
For interviews or talk radio guests call, Bob Parker 417 257 8711, Ray Cunio 314 223 6925, Paul Hamby 816 632 0602, Sharon Sabo 314 283 7764.
Visit: http://ozarkspropertyrightscongress.com/