Did The USDA Can NAIS?

By now, this is old news, however, there are a few comments I would like to make on the subject.

As many of you already know, The USDA (afectionately known, around here, as the USDuh), has decided to can the animal traceability program known as the NAIS, or, National Animal Identification System.  I have talked a lot about this on this blog, and I am sure this will not be the last time.

Basically, due to puplic outcry, the USDuh has switched gears.  On the surface, I applaud them as it looks much more constitutional than the last one.  The USDuh has decided that a state adminitered program would be better than a federal one.

In the future, the USDuh will simply regulate animals moved from state to state, or, interstate commerce, as is the governments job.  The whole thing will be administered by states and tribal nations.

One of the things the USDuh will try to accomplish in this change of plans is to address issues such as confidentiality and liability.  This is a smart move on the part of the governmanet.  For once, it appears as if they might want to follow the constitution.  A word of caution, though.  The government rarely does anything according to law and, therefore, must be watched.  I will keep an eye on this more closely than before because I don't trust them and I have witnessed too many sneaky, closed door dealings in the past.

That being said, I agree with Mark Kastel of the Cornicopia Institute in Wisconsin when he said, "[this is] an all too rare victory of the nations farmers over the political power of corporate agribusiness."

Keep watching, but, great job to all who had a hand in the fight.