US farmers protest against NAIS

Farmers of the US Midwest have travelled to Jefferson City, Missouri, to protest the USDA Animal Identification Programme.

The farmers protested at a USDA listening session, which provides farmers and interested parties the opportunity to voice their opinions about the animal ID system.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will use the information gathered to decide the future direction of animal disease traceability in the US. The system aims to increase US animal disease response capabilities, limit the spread of animal diseases, and minimise animal losses and their economic impact.

However, many farmers oppose the plan as they see it more as a burden than help.

Rhonda Perry, Missouri Rural Crisis Centre, said the NAIS is a programme that does not meet the needs of farmers and consumers, and does nothing to improve food safety or animal health.

The farmers said the system is too expensive and does not perform as promised.