SmallHolders Alliance (SHA) started 6 years ago, with the onset of the USDA Scrapie Eradication Program. It was to unite small farmers in MA, so we could speak as a unit and not fight our battles alone. After a brief burst of action, SHA became idle. However, with the advent of the USDA's National Animal Identification System, I brought it back to life. SHA will continue to serve as a loosely based grassroots communication system between New England's small livestock farmers, but we will also use this site to communicate activities on the struggle against NAIS.
I am the Massachusetts State Coordinator for Liberty Ark Coalition, and am willing to speak to any group that wants to learn more about this program. If you'd like more information about Liberty Ark, or NAIS, check out the links on this page.
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February 4, 2010 - USDA Announces It Has Shelved Plans to Implement National Animal Identification System! - Secretary Vilsack announced today, and an article was published in the New York Times, that NAIS is dead. Citing objections from producers, and results from the USDA's Listening Sessions, the Secretary announced that the program as currently planned, "failed."
He followed that announcement with an explanation of a plan in development that would be more suited to managing existing disease, interstate transport and import management. He also stated that small producers will not be expected to meet high tech demands. Details to come. he solicited comments from groups asking for their input as to what is acceptable to them.
This is a day to celebrate, and then be prepared to be proactive in the development of the new plan. But NAIS is no longer an issue at the National Level, though many states have already made it mandatory. If this applies to your state, let your state officials know what you think!
SmallHolders Alliance will continue to monitor the development of the program, and work with Commonwealth of Massachusetts to craft a system that works for us.
In the meantime, people need to let their elected officials and the MDAR, or their own state's departments of agriculture, what their concerns are regarding livestock health issues.
There are other areas that we all need to watch, including the Food Safety proposed legislation in the US Senate. This opens the door to another NAIS type system, and needs to be stopped!