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What do you have to hide, anyway?
The on-going buzz about a national livestock identification system turned into giant roar at the 2004 NCBA convention last week in Phoenix. My how the pendulum can shift so swiftly because of one event.
When George Orwell's book, 1984, came out, public anxiety about being watched by big brother was escalated. He detailed how the time would come when the government would know everything that you do. For a short time, consumer's habits were impacted. Some people even refrained from using credit cards for a while.
Today, General Motors uses On Star as a marketing tool, "You should buy our vehicles because we know where you are at all times." Isn't it totally amazing that a concept that causes total panic one day can, within a quarter of a century, be used to entice you to buy something because it is a "safety" feature.
It doesn't stop there either. Semi trucks are equipped with GPS systems tied into computers. If the driver doesn't shift properly, "the truck" can e-mail a message to the manager and point out this inefficient operating procedure the minute it happens. Parents in large cities are encouraged to provide DNA samples on their kids "in the event that something would happen to them." Most everything we do today with a card or electronic communication assists someone in building a database about us. Retail outlets build databases with customer tracking through cards and promotions. Retinal scans with your purchase history are available as you walk into a store. It is no longer just a futuristic concept.
As the national identification system was discussed in Phoenix, I found it discouraging that some of the national media attempted to undermine the ranchers concerns about an identification system. They tried to plant the notion in the minds of consumers that modern agriculture has something to hide about how the food system works. I believe that no matter where you stand on this issue, there is no stopping this mandatory tracking program.
Allowing a government to cram any societal change down the throats of its people without the input of the people should not be tolerated. We must be able to discuss the pros and cons of any new change without fear of being labeled as someone with something to hide. At the end the day, I am not sure the gain is worth the effort in regard to the identification system. The consumer may find some level of comfort in the perception that we would have a larger database on an individual animal's history. Yet I doubt their ability to discern the difference between an animal health database and food safety issues.
Certainly we live in the information age. The problem I see with the information age is that the more information we gather, the fewer individuals there are that can actually interpret what it means. There are many positive things that can come about from the implementation of a national identification system for food animals. But that is where it starts not where it ends. Given the fact that the pendulum always shifts, if we have an inventory of the nation's food animals today, what will we be monitoring tomorrow?
I fear the continual erosion of our civil liberties. This erosion is caused by a lawmaking society that is attempting to mandate a minimal risk lifestyle. Have you ever been pulled over just to see if you are wearing a seatbelt? This is the same concept.
It makes me wonder how far we are away from having a DNA profile with your metabolic rate calculated into a centralized mainframe, which generates a maximum daily intake for calories, carbohydrates, alcohol and nutrition? I can see it now. We will be fitted with a GPS device attached to a food intake monitor. When you have consumed your limit, your mouth will automatically lock up until the 12-hour waiting period has passed.
You may laugh at this exaggeration now, but if grassroots food producers do not engage in the development of this national identification system as it takes shape over the next 12 months, you may wake up a year from now and wonder why the local sheriff just pulled in the driveway. It's because he knows you buried a cow with a broken leg instead of calling the rendering truck. Get involved in this process or the reality of "big brother" may prevent you from having any privacy at all.
Editor's note: Trent Loos is a sixth generation farmer who wants to bridge the gap from agriculture producers and consumers. In addition to this column, he can be heard daily on his radio program by the same name. Trent can be reached via his website at www.loostales.com or e-mail at trent@loostales.com.
Date: 2/6/04
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