Readers Write

Dear Editor:

When we held our open house for the new McKenzie Health and Wellness Center, we had no idea that well over 300 people would take the time to tour this beautiful facility. We were warmed by the many positive comments about our Center and our hospital. We thank all of those who took the time to visit with us and tour the 6,000 square foot building.

Special thanks to our Board of Directors and Administration who envisioned this wonderful place and to the contractors who made it become a reality. Thanks to our Physical Therapy employees who give such professional and personal care to our patients. We wish to congratulate Dorothy O'Driscoll, Sherry Foley, Pearl Turner, Marge Henderson and Connie Wolfe, winners of our drawings held that day.

To the community, we thank you for your support and dedication over the past 38 years and for making McKenzie Memorial Hospital your hospital of choice.

We wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year,

Sharon Danek
Community Relations Director

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Hi, I just want to let you know that since I found this paper it makes me feel connected to my long gone family. (MY Great-great grandfather Trescott was the lighthouse keeper for years). I love it and very happy to hear that you are going to get the past articles (on-line) so we my view them also, for there were many I cannot read. I am happy to become a subscriber to this paper. Thank you.

Patti Fenske

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Dear Editor

I am writing this letter to the editor to express my thoughts and inform readers about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) which is currently in its initial stages. This USDA-run program has as its goal the registration of every farm animal (including non-food animals such as horses) in a centralized government database. The system allows for no exceptions.

This program will require micro chipping of each animal at the expense of the owner, and a premises ID for every farm, which will be linked to a satellite photo and Global Positioning System record (see this link for the USDA website about the program: www.usda.gov/nais/). I strongly oppose the implementation of the NAIS. Agribusiness, specifically The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA), lobbied the USDA to create the NAIS supposedly to protect U.S. citizens and their animals from diseases. The NIAA is composed primarily of two groups - (1) large corporate producers and (2) the makers and producers of animal ID equipment. In April 2002 a task force composed of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and over 30 livestock organizations provided leadership in creating the animal identification system. Small-scale farmers involved in animal husbandry, and animal hobbyists were not represented.

Language quoted from the Draft Strategic Plan states, "APHIS then established the National Identification Development Team (NIDT), a joint, State, Federal and industry group to further advance this effort. Throughout 2003, the NIDT, consisting of approximately 100 animal and livestock industry professionals representing more than 70 associations, organizations and government agencies, expanded upon the work plan to produce the initial draft of the U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP)." (Plan, p. 4) While associations, organizations, etc. are backing the NAIS, many did not inform their members of their support for this proposed legislation. Chances are the members still have no idea that their associations and organizations are advocating a system that gives their freedoms away and drains their revenue.

I am writing in opposition of the National Animal Identification System because:

1. If the NAIS becomes law, we will be forced to pay fees to register our farms and animals. "Even with public funding, there will be costs to producers." (Plan, p. 11)
   
   
2. We will be forced to report to the national animal records repository within a short-term specified time frame the birth, death, loss of identification device, sale, and/or movement of any animal in our possession.
   
   
3. This will legally require us to report to the national animal records repository when an animal we own attends a livestock show, participates in a trail ride, is transported to another farm for stud service, or takes part in a community parade, etc.
   
   
4. Our personal information collected through NAIS could be disclosed - "the USDA cannot assure the confidentiality of all the information at the present time." (Plan, p. 15)
   
   
5. Our livestock would become part of the "national herd". (Plan, p.8) The NAIS target date for "mandatory premises registration and animal identification" is Jan. 2008. Jan. 2009 is the target date for "reporting of defined animal movements required and entire program mandatory". Also the Department does not plan to issue 'alerts' to inform livestock owners of the requirements until April 2007, only eight months prior to the date when it will be mandatory to submit the GPS co-ordinates of one's home and the RFID of one's animal[s] to the USDA database. We need to let our associations, organizations and government agencies and officials know what we want right away.

The projected estimate for implementation of this plan is 33 billion dollars. The Feds are already giving out money to register premises. You'll see the Farm Bureau, the cattlemen's association and the extension agents lining up. With new government programs comes new government money. They'll push NAIS compliance by holding out money only to those who register. They'll say, "Be a good American and register now voluntarily". The USDA will use the farmers' supposed willingness to enter the program voluntarily as a justification for making the program mandatory. Then the real costs will become apparent.

If the real purpose of NAIS is to track the food supply for disease then:

1. NAIS is not necessary for horses, donkeys, guardian animals or other non-food animals. Regulations that would require implantation of a chip to track movement and registration of premises keyed to Global Positioning System coordinates is an invasion of privacy and makes no sense for a small farm or hobby farmer who raises alpacas or a family with a pet pony, horse, goat or other animal.
   
   
2. NAIS is not necessary for sales direct to the consumer from the small farm. Food raised on small farms is safer than that which is commercially raised by large corporations.
   
   
3. NAIS should not be involved with people who are raising livestock for their own family consumption. They know exactly where the food came from - they raised it. I see raising food for our families as a basic human right that should not be interfered with or "taxed" by government.

I think that NAIS if implemented should be required only for large commercial operations. They are responsible for the bulk of the meat and dairy products consumed throughout the United States, and they are responsible for the vast majority of disease and contamination found in these products. They would be the main targets of bio-terrorism and they can absorb the cost of such an endeavor; the small family farmer cannot and should not!

The inclusion of small farmers, backyard hobbyists and pet owners strongly suggests other motives by the government and their powerful lobbyists. There is something very wrong with the government wanting to track every single horse, chicken or rabbit on a small farm. Even those members of government who promote this plan realize this is unrealistic, which is why the sole responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of the livestock owner. As such, any failures will be a result of owner error and would result in fines being levied on these individuals. The government is implementing a program that they know cannot in good sense work while taking no responsibility for its failures.

I ask that you familiarize yourself with the details of the National Animal Identification System. Please consider the consequences to our farms, ranches and personal freedoms. Contact your livestock associations, organizations and government agencies and officials and let them know what you want and don't want. Inform your friends and neighbors and encourage them to do the same. Also contact Farm for Life, P.O. Box 501 Canton, New York 13617 Telephone: 315-265-2800 Email: mlz@slic.com for more information.

In my humble opinion this is one of the most destructive proposals against personal liberty that I have yet to encounter. There is still time to stop this if we all act now. Please take the time to make yourself heard.

Rob Usakowski
Kimball Township, MI