Peterson Farm

Hello,

We will be at the Triad Farmers Market Wed. (21) -9:00 to 2:00, the day before Thanksgiving, and will not be there on Sat. (24) which is the Sat. after Thanksgiving. Beginning Sat., Dec. 1, we will be there every Sat. until New Year, weather permitting.

We have gorgeous fall greens and turnip roots. We still have a few pastured chickens, all cuts of pasture finished Jersey beef and homegrown pork.

An issue about the USDA’s National Animal Identification Service (NAIS) has come to my attention. Attached is a statement by the now candidate for president Ron Paul that describes the detrimental effects of the NAIS on small farmers and people who own even one animal. Briefly, it would require all livestock owners (even one horse, cow, rabbit, goat, pig, chicken, duck, pigeon, etc.) to register their premises in a national database. Also, each animal would have to have a microchip identification from birth to death. If an animal leaves the registered premises, for any reason, it must be reported within 24 hrs. or risk enormous fines. The cost would probably drive many small farmers out of business, not to mention millions spent by Uncle Sam. It would, at the least, spell the end of free ownership and commerce of livestock in the US.

At the moment, after public outcry, participation in NAIS is ‘voluntary’. However, states are pressured to use deceptive and coercive tactics to increase registrations. For instance, remember the $500,000 to aid farmers with shipping costs for hay because of the drought? Unless your farm is in the NAIS you don’t qualify. People that have animals processed at USDA facilities, like we do, are added to the list without their knowledge or consent.

The urgent issue,at the moment , is Section 10305 of the Livestock Title that is elusively attached to the 2007 Farm Bill currently being considered in the US Senate. If passed, the language of 10305 validates NAIS without legislative debate on the program. Also, a non- disclosure clause would make it illegal, under threat of fines or imprisonment, for anyone to report any details concerning NAIS including contaminated product recalls and disease outbreaks. So a program that is purported to preserve the health of the public would keep you in the dark and vulnerable.

Perhaps most troublesome of all is this applies to only American agriculture. Imported meat has no tracking requirement. Of course, all this was cooked up by USDA, Agribusiness, and the electronics industry.

For more information on NAIS see: www.nonais.org (read Farm Bill Update  2007-11-08); www.stopanimalid.org

For more on Section 10305, including action alerts see: www.libertyark.net; www.openthegovernment.org/otg/farm_bill_letter.pdf; www.downsizedc.net/2007/nov/13/nais_vote_at_any_moment; www.westonaprice.org/federalupdate/aa2007/01nov07.html

The correct way to contact your Senator and Congressman is included in these web pages. We urge you to voice opposition immediately. And spread the word to everyone you can.

Blessings,

Joe Peterson