The Los Angeles Times and the
Rural Blog explain why so many farmers still oppose the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new animal identification program, which is partly intended to keep the country's food supply safer. The government wants to track animals, pretty much all farm animals from farm to farm, especially in the case of a disease outbreak. The idea is to be able to track down any animal within 48 hours.
President Bush's ranch is not signed up for the program. Neither are lots of others. For some people, such as the Amish and Mennonites, there are religious overtones. Others just don't want the government's nose in their farming business.
This is a strong national story with solid consumer safety angles.
The USDA is trying to convince farmers that the registration is for their own protection. Those participating in the animal identification program, the USDA says, will be "notified quickly" if there is a disease outbreak that could put their animals at risk. The USDA says it hopes that by acting faster in the event of a health concern, consumer markets won't panic as much and prices won't be as greatly affected as they might otherwise be during a disease outbreak.
Al, we had a story on the NAIS in april...
