Part II: Traceability- The Dawn of a New Age in Food Control

Part II-Traceability:  Marking the Beasts

By

Celeste Bishop

January 2013 Update.  Last month the final rule for Traceability (the old NAIS) was finalized.  In rule-making it does not matter what the people want the agencies make the rules, people testify, and the agencies do what they want.  With the large public outcry from coast to coast it took the USDA a long time to meet their goals but they are now here for all of us to endure.  Stand your ground.  This month every deceptive trick in the book is coming your way to ensnare you.  Look carefully at fine print, don not answer census’s or surveys, and do not hit any simple one button gimmicks that take you into slavery.

The concept of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) was created in the bowels of international think-tanks for marking global assets.  It was commenced in the United States after the tragic events of 911, although plans for an animal disease outbreak were already being put on the books within emergency management.  Most farmers and ranchers became aware of the NAIS in late 2005, early 2006.  Historically agrarians have sounded the alarm when predators were encroaching and so too they heralded the news that a perilously dangerous time was imminent.

Since ancient times farmers have kept watch over their flocks and knew each animal intimately.The shepherd would know if something was wrong with the animal and would intervene as appropriate.Today there is a universal bureaucracy that has seized identification of animals for its own purposes.They want all premises registered, eliminating your absolute right to private property.Put simply they do not want you to own private property.Once you go through the registration process your land title is clouded and your have just transferred your ownership to a silent partner who calls the shots on what you can and cannot do.In the name of poverty alleviation governments around the world are ˜securing assets, aka animal capital. This is another reason for the increased pressure of multiple census.

Nowadays government wants to use identification of property and animals for certification of exports and to falsely bolster consumer confidence that has taken a hit from increasing food contamination.These same rulers want to increase the pressure, coerce farmers to adopt their brand of livestock production practices that are diametrically opposed to established safe and prosperous agriculture.

In order to achieve their goal, tyrannical powers are seeking to flood the agricultural market with ever-increasing herd and flock health programs and heavy handed controls on breeding and subjective genetic ˜improvement” programs. As traditional agriculture is being purged, the global control of animal movement is taking center stage as can be seen with the USDA’s recent announcement of a Traceability Framework.Simultaneously, zoning and compartmentalization is breaking the backs of sovereign countries and states in the name of controlling disease.Food security is being strongly linked with public health.Public health is being commingled with zoonoses (diseases that effect humans and animals) and food safety. A tightening noose is being put around market access.In the foreseeable future only those who are compliant will be allowed market access.The term animal welfare is being manipulated, exploited, and redefined into international definition and the public is unaware of the subtle and progressive change.

2009 Going Where No Man Has Gone Before

In 2009 the OIE held its first Animal Identification and Traceability Conference (ID &T).The objectives of this international conference simply stressed to participating countries and businesses the ˜benefits of identification and traceability and demands for a global commitment to identification & traceability.This conference served as a vehicle to raise awareness, thus familiarity, of the OIE and Codex standards. Through transparency, a free-flow of information and data from the various countries would be extracted for perfection of the final ONE food system.Technological standards are yet to be determined for future application within the total food control grid.When completed, Animal Identification & Traceability will be a seamless system that prevents gaps and duplication between standards, it will be ONE system for all.

When the USDA presented their new Traceability Framework they stressed, Encourage the use of lower-cost technology. One must carefully listen to what the USDA was saying with this statement and not project many farmer’s hope and desire that the agency was ‘˜listening’ to the people.The USDA is merely mirroring the OIE ID & T Framework of making an even technological playing field so that no countries, including poor ones, would be left behind.Applied research is now being commanded to develop cheaper and more practical tools.The socio-economic circumstances of all participants are scrutinized so ID & T calls for flexibility during implementation to be required.Hence, the USDA, in good conscience states administered by the States and Tribal Nations to provide more flexibility.

It has been determined that your veterinarian is a valuable key to bridging the gap between public and private sectors.He or she is a conduit that assists in collecting, analyzing and disseminating information.It is through the Veterinary Services (VS) that an improved legal ID& T will emerge.

What Does ID & T Guarantee?

ID & T has discovered that fear is a motivating factor in persuading people and countries to change their basic philosophies and law.The media has whipped up a Fear of the Week frenzy.The OIE, never wanting a good crisis to go wasted, is promising the peoples of the world:

What is the OIE’s Scope?

Continue reading

Animal Traceability, Facebook & ‘Other’ Persuasive Technologies

A New Attitude: Rules of Persuasion

Could the very technologies we are using to Fight for Traditional Farming be used instead to be persuasive tools to change our lofty and noble goal of food freedom?

Read on dear reader……before you slip down the rabbit hole

From the trenches……

Dr BJ Fogg has been in the behavior-changing game for more than 15 years. He shows how the latest technology is providing tools that can influence how people

Can computers be designed to change people’s beliefs and behaviors? It was this question that brought me to Stanford in 1993 as a doctoral student. I admit that at first some people thought me a bit crazy: at the time, computers were used mostly for crunching numbers and storing data. But a young professor named Cliff Nass saw the potential.

The world of persuasion has changed rapidly over the past 10 years. If you haven’t noticed the shift, now is the time to recognize how technology opens doors across all sectors – to engage new customers, influence people’s attitudes, and, most interesting of all, change their behaviors. Continue reading

Great Job NoNAIS er’s! Disease Outbreak Messaging

The Animal Health Network: a system to alert non-commercial livestock owners of disease outbreaks

The Animal Health Network (formerly known as the County Animal Security & Health Network, or CASHN) is designed to improve communication (collaboration) between the county agent and the ‘backyard’ owner through a common element: the local feed store. (which Public Disclosure and FOIA verified).

A pilot program in six states found that a message of a disease outbreak can flow from the state veterinarian to the feed retailer in little more than 48 hours. (This was the primary reason our State Veterinarians wanted the National Animal Identification System, NAIS, so they could ‘contact’ us if disease broke out.  We told them there were other ways, and we were right!  This piolot project reveals other communication possiblities, without NAIS!)

The CASHN system could potentially take the message to an average of 795 non-commercial owners within a week of receipt, the pilot shows. Rapid dissemination is designed to improve response to a potentially catastrophic outbreak, such as the 2002-2003 outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease, which began with a smuggled bird, existed in backyard flocks for six months before detection, and eventually led to the destruction of more than 3.5 million birds and the suspension of exports to 34 nations from California, Nevada and Arizona.

Yes!  I want more information!  Click here: brochure-updated-9908

10 Minute Citizen: Begin a plan to distance yourself from your local county Extension Agent  and feedstore.  Do not use your charge card and do not provide much personal information which can and will be used against you at some point. Fight back.  Say No to NAIS this year in your Legislature and at the National Level.

The Vanishing Vet Trick

What is one of the many lessons learned and outcome of the UK FMD outbreak?  Veterinarians vanished from the pastoral rolling hills of the United Kingdom.  With the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) entrenched in the US along with other draconian regulations veterinarians are now finding themselves out of a job.  What is the answer?  They get in the federal handout line just like the bankers, insurance companies and other private industry who are putting out their hands for “free” taxpayer money.  Are you willing to pay the high cost of NAIS and subsidize your local veterinarian who gets paid $10 bucks for signing you up for NAIS?

Lo and behold, there is a Support your Veterinarian bill in Congress!  Geesh, what a surprise!

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep09/090915a_pf.asp

From the trenches…..

Veterinary services legislation
introduced in Congress

Bipartisan bill would expand veterinary services nationwide

New legislation addressing the nation’s veterinary services needs is under consideration in the House of Representatives.

The AVMA played a key role in crafting the Veterinarian Services Investment Act (H.R. 3519), which was introduced July 31 by Republican Adrian Smith of Nebraska and Democrat Leonard Boswell of Iowa and had 17 co-sponsors as of mid-August. Continue reading

WA and MT in Mandatory NAIS Fire Fight

Hat Tip:  Gisela

Y’all know about Washington but did you know about Montana?

Montana will decide today if she will go Voluntary (our preference) or Mandatory.  Sounds like an old Clairol Hair Color commercial <how sad>.

Jack Owen of R-Calf testified before ther Montana House Agriculture Committee in SUPPORT for HB 592 which is similar to our Washington HB 2086 and the South Dakota Voluntary NAIS legislation. Continue reading

Big Federal >>Squeeze<< to Kill Voluntary NAIS in WA

The >>>federal squeeze<<< is on to kill Voluntary NAIS in Washington State.  Agency heavy hitters and their government PAID contractors are busy this morning.  The Department of Ecology, the USDA and APHIS, FDA, and the Performance Systems International located in (you guessed it) Washington DC all are burning the phone and computer lines attempting to deceive your Washington Legislator’s into a Mandatory NAIS.

Your voice is more important than ever to support your local farmer and rancher bring your family local, delicious and nutritious, quality food products.

Please support Voluntary NAIS in Washington State, HB 2086 and SB 5956.

How do I support Voluntary NAIS?

Click here

When agriculture is free from unaccountable agency regulation we can bring you our very best.  Thank you for taking time to support your local farmer and rancher by supporting voluntary NAIS.

The Clock is Ticking: Save Washington Food from NAIS!

The clock is ticking in Washington and we have 48 hours left of farming freedom.  With 3 easy emails or phone calls (your choice) you can do your part to ensure that the National Animal Identification System, NAIS, remains voluntary in Washington State.  Why is Voluntary NAIS critical to Washington agriculture?

  • Mandatory NAIS transforms your real property into a government-controlled premises.  A government defined ‘Premises’ will not ensure that the food on your dinner plate is safe.  If you sign up for Premises Registration you are allowing someone to tell you what you can or can’t do on your own property, and you will get to pay for that privilege.
  • Mandatory NAIS electronic identification will not ensure the food you buy will be safe.  In fact, scientific-evidence, shows a direct link between electronic identification and cancer!  Ewwww, do you want cancer cells for dinner?
  • Mandatory NAIS surveillance, tracing, tracking will not ensure the food you eat is safe.  It is true government officials will know where outbreaks occur (psst…they already know through Google).  When agriculture officials conduct unaccountable surveillance and tracking the result is that your small local farmers, the ones growing healthy food, are driven out of business due to over regulation by a stack of alphabet agencies. Suspect animals are not tested, but are inhumanely slaughtered, whether they are sick or not!  This drives up the cost for your local food products.

One 4-ounce hamburger purchased at your local grocery store has come from as many as 1485 locations, most are out of the country.  Ask your Legislator how Mandatory NAIS will make this one 4-ounce hamburger safe?  COOL to the rescue?  How are they going to fit all those locations on the label?  And do you really have time to read  all the locations?  Please do your part today by supporting Voluntary NAIS and help to restore the USDA and WSDA stamp of approval to their historically renowned quality, really making your hamburger or food of choice safe.

One last thought before you spring into action to save our food!  Under public disclosure it was revealed that truckloads of diseased and undocumented cattle are flooding across the border headed straight for your dinner-plate.  Vegan?  Washingtonians have the same problem with your fruits and vegetables crop supply.

Why should you be forced to give up quality local food products while multi-national companies, in the food business solely for profit, make the big bucks while you and your family are subjected to an inferior and contaminated food supply?  True Homeland Security is access to fresh and local food products with farmers and ranchers who are free to do what they do best, bringing you quality local food.

Be a 10 Minute Citizen to Save our Food Supply:

Call or email:

1.  WA Senate Chairman Hatfield

Phone:  360-786-7636

Email: hatfield.brian@leg.wa.gov

2.  WA House Chairman Blake

Phone:  360-786-7870

Email:  blake.brian@leg.wa.gov

3.  Speaker of the House: Representative Chopp

Phone:  360-786-7920

Email:  chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov

What to say:

“Thank you for supporting HB 2086 and SB 5956.  I appreciate your concern to preserving local agriculture and quality & local food I count on for my family.

Please Exec these valuable bills out of committee today or tomorrow, and move them forward in the Legislative process.

Thank you for your interest and time protecting my local farmer and food.”

Public Request to Exec Out HB 2086 & SB 5956

Dear Agricultural Chairmen and Committee Members,

I want to thank you for your voluntary participation in the hearing of the proposed bills, Voluntary Participation in the National Animal Identification System (known as NAIS), and presented to you in the forms of HB 2086 and SB 5956 yesterday afternoon, 2/17/2009, at 1:30 PM PT in both the Senate and House Agricultural Committees. The issue of the National Animal Identification System is not new to you because it began implementation 6 years ago, costing Washingtonians thousands of dollars for a redundant system wanting to supplant programs that had already achieved success years ago.

For you who are members of the Agricultural Committees, two things were emphasized in yesterday’s hearings:

* Protecting the health of people and animals in Washington State

* Maintaining economic viability in a global economy

Unfortunately, it is my understanding that Dr. Eldridge and Mary Beth Lang provided these Agricultural Committees with some mis-information. Please allow me to clarify, and I apologize beforehand for a slightly technical document.

* Currently the WSDA and Dr. Eldridge already have all the power, funding, resources, and guidelines needed to deal with any agricultural related emergency. The following are the resources Dr. Eldridge has at his disposal: Continue reading

WA Voluntary NAIS Senate Hearing: Video Up Documents, in Process!

I will be scanning all of the documents that were part of our hearing on SB 5956.  I will forward those to you as soon as we have completed the scanning process.  Attached is a link to TVW where you can view or hear the actual hearing yesterday.  Let me know if this meets your needs.

http://www.tvw.org/search/siteSearch.cfm?EvntType=C&keywords=Senate%20Agriculture&date=2009&bhcp=1

Thank you Wanda!

WA Voluntary NAIS House Hearing: Video and Documents are Up!

Some of the documents are available online at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/cmd/default.aspx. Where it says, “Select a Committee,” select “Agriculture and Natural Resources.” Then scroll down to HB 2086 and click on the plus sign to open the documents.

A video of the hearing is available on TVW’s website (http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2009021193&TYPE=V&CFID=1733601&CFTOKEN=16311863&bhcp=1)

Thank you Sarah!