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Animal identification: USDA surrenders, but it's still going to happenBy Ken Root A tip of the Stetson or "gimme cap" to all livestock producers who opposed the government's effort to establish a national animal identification. You may take it as a salute to your tenacity or as a surrender by government bureaucracy. Either way, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is the fourth administrator who tried and failed to implement a live animal traceability program. In effect, USDA has trashed a $120 million effort and stands on the steps, dusting its hands saying: "States and tribal nations, it's yours!" If you oppose animal identification, you have not won the anonymity of your farm, ranch or livestock; you'll just have to deal with people a little closer to home. If you cross a state or tribal boundary line, you'll be looking at the feds again. Trying not to lose sight of the intent of the whole program, which started early in the new century when bovine spongiform encephalopathy was identified in a dairy cow in Washington state, the government attempted to get all livestock producers to register their premises and place an electronic identification tag on each animal or pen of animals that would be transported together. That effort failed miserably, especially in traditional livestock states where mistrust of government is the local pastime. National animal identification started badly because most of the emphasis came from the top down. Looking back at the post-September 11, 2001, period, we saw the federal government become more reactionary to perceived threats. "Homeland Security" almost became an oxymoron, as we felt far less secure with every new program that was imposed upon us. Had there been a major disease outbreak or terrorist attack on our food supply, the animal identification program would be as real today as airport screening of old women for guns and explosives. As the memory of the attacks dimmed and rural America remained unscathed, the ranching community kept claiming they weren't the problem but were actually victims of the cost and hassle of federal animal identification. USDA agreed with the logical and illogical pleadings of the livestock industry. However, the states now take over the responsibility for tracing any animals that cross their borders. This maneuver got the secretary off the hook with most small organic producers and a strongly Democratic voting sector, and it also reduced the visibility of the millions of dollars USDA was throwing down a rat hole to fund the nationwide animal identification program. Political success beats logistical failure every time. It appears that the country will now become a patchwork quilt of animal regulation. The premises identification number will remain in place, and the millions of tags, dubbed "840" tags, will still be valid. How aggressive states become in tagging livestock will be a function of legislative action and funding. The key seems to be that any live animal that crosses a state or tribal boundary has to be traceable. That may be done easily and economically, but it still has to be accomplished. The onrush of technology may also make animal identification more palatable. Literally everything is becoming traceable. I cite this example: In Great Britain last week, they came out with a new beer glass that won't shatter in a bar fight. You could still bludgeon your mates, but you couldn't slash them. The expert commentator made the observation that it would be easy to imbed a radio frequency identification device in the layers of resin so your pint wouldn't get mixed up with others and the bartender would know what you were drinkin' without askin.' If the technology becomes that prevalent in society, it will be hard to keep it out of a cow's ear! The final outcome of all this political posturing is going to be determined more by the end user of the animal than the government. If you have two oxen that will live long lives on your farm, you'll never have to tag them, but if you ship steers to a feedlot or a packer--in state or out--you are going to have to comply with their wishes. Liability for disease and accountability for performance are becoming conditions of sale. You may keep your independence by selling at the local barn, but the price will be reduced by aggregators who will deduct their costs as they tag, certify and ship your animals to their customers. Freedom always has a price. The USDA should put its resources into preventing diseased animals from entering this country. No state has that capability, and we've already shown that there are diseases north and south that will damage our livestock economy. On every continent, including our own, there are disease threats that only USDA can keep from harming our farms and ranches. New mission, greater chance of success, less likelihood of getting your tires shot flat in Montana. Go to it! Editor's Note: Ken Root is an independent agricultural journalist. He was named the 2009 Farm Broadcaster of the Year and was the 2008 winner of the Oscar in Agriculture. He is an Oklahoma native and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agriculture Education. Ken taught vocational agriculture at Union City, Okla., before taking his first broadcasting job with WKY Radio and Television. He worked in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri as an agricultural broadcaster and began writing for the High Plains Journal eight years ago. He has spent the last five years as Lead Farm Broadcaster at WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa. Ken has also been the executive director of the National AgriChemical Retailers Association in Washington, D.C. and the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in Kansas City, Mo. He and his wife Gail have two adult children and two grandchildren.
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