Don’t sign away your rights

According to the USDA, the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is not just for hogs, cattle and sheep; it also includes all poultry, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, deer, elk, llamas, alpacas and even some farm-raised fish.

Household pets (dogs and cats) are not included yet.

It does not matter if you have several hundred head or one animal for a 4-H or FFA project. Any time an animal is moved, such as going to a county fair or moving across the road to a new pasture, you will have to fill out a form and send it in.

This also includes taking your horse on a trail ride or a rodeo. Every time any animal is moved, you will have to fill out a form and send it in.

When the USDA has all of our information as to where all the major feedlots are located, that will make it much easier for terrorists to know where to strike.

The NAIS also will make it very difficult for small to medium-sized livestock auctions to comply. It could take anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for the equipment to read the tags. I urge everyone to do their research before they sign away their rights.

Bob Harlow,

Gallatin, Mo.