Entries categorized as ‘Uncategorized’
Olympia-A productive meeting with Senate Agricultural Chairwoman Rasmussen was held today. Senator Rasmussen brought up some important issues regarding SB 5753 that needed to be addressed. The issues discussed with the Senator included documentation of existing laws on the books addressing animal disease, clarification that NAIS is not just for cattle (Cooperative Agreement between USDA/WSDA was shared); information on the collection of data involuntarily from residents of Washington, with followup correspondence from the WSDA refusing purging of collected data; a briefing on local small farmers being pro-active in disease management practices, ongoing agricultural education, and environmental concerns. Senator Rasmussen, herself, said that she did not want to identify her animals.
I will be soon be posting the Senate Agricultural Committee members so that you can respectfully and politely share your concerns about the NAIS scheme.
From the trenches,
Celeste
Categories: Legislative Issues · Uncategorized
Olympia-Dr. Leonard Eldridge and Public Document Specialist Ms. Danny McQueen have agreed to turn over Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) documents regarding National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and its components. The agreement was reached last Tuesday after several long an intense meetings.
After receiving two installments of Public Disclosure records it was apparent that not all documents had been provided as requested. There were some slightly different interpretations of what documents should be included and this issue has been resolved.
We have requested notification of when the documents will be ready for inspection and expect the WSDA to expedite the request promptly.
From the trenches,
Celeste
Categories: Uncategorized
Agricultural Chairman Brian Sullivan has scheduled a hearing for HB 1151, NoNAIS, on February 21, 2007 at 8:00 AM at the O’Brien Building. Stay tuned for the Hearing Room.
We thank the Chairman for scheduling this hearing.
February 21, 2007 is Agricultrual Day.
Celeste
Categories: Legislative Issues · Uncategorized
Ag Committee Priorities
On January 11, 2007 HB 1151 was introduced: “Prohibiting a mandatory or voluntary NAIS program in Washington State”. We were promised a viable hearing before February 22, 2007 by the Agriculture Chairman Sullivan, on his word. The hearing has been “tentatively” scheduled a few times and then quickly removed from the calendar of hearings.
What does the Agriculture Committee determine more important than your property rights, privacy, religious freedom, and a life without NAIS?
How about animal massage? Yes, it is true. Animal massage has had its hearing.
What about the *right* to take your dog to a bar? Yes, that also has had its hearing and lots of media coverage too.
Today it is time to call, email, fax Representative Sullivan and politely demand a hearing before February 22, 2007. Ask why animal massage and taking a dog to a bar is more important than a hearing on NAIS.
Representative Brian Sullivan
(360) 786-7972
sullivan.brian@leg.wa.gov
Categories: Immediate Action · Uncategorized
I have been securing documents to get the FACTS on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) through Public Disclosure and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). Government is tasked with making documents available to we the people and being transparent. I just received this brief comment from my federal attorney Robert McGuire of Colorado, “I am also attaching a second document that will be of interest to you. It is the USDA FOIA Annual Report for the most recent year I could find, 2005. Please note the extremely long response times for complex FOIA requests sent to APHIS. The mean response time is nearly 4 years! “
Can you believe 4 years! In many cases the information one is seeking would be obsolete. How convenient.
Just because the documents remain invisible to the people does not mean they don’t exist.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tired of bad news? Want to get active in the NONAIS legislation on HB 1151 and SB 5753, but you are short on time and money? Are you a parent, grandparent, home-schooling family, or person opposing NAIS? Then the Great NoNAIS Farm Sticker Roundup is for you! Help our youth learn about the legislative process while getting them involved. This is a project for the whole family. .
Our goal is to flood our state Legislators with farm stickers. It is simple as 1, 2, 3:
- Choose a farm related sticker for each of your family members and grandchildren. Pick out stickers for each member on the Agricultural Committees. The stickers can be favorite farm animals or farm related sticker like a tractor. Choosing the stickers is half the fun!
- You and your children can hand write a note that accompanies your stickers on why he or she wants to preserve small family farms.
- Mail your farm stickers to:
No NAIS WA-Celeste Bishop
14301-127th Ave SE
Snohomish, WA 98290
GOAL: 2.2 million farm stickers, one for each farming family in America.
Deadline to receive stickers is April 15. We will put a presentation together for our Legislators.
Presentation: April 30 in Olympia.
Cost: price of a sticker, envelope, stamp (you can send allot of stickers in one envelope)
Handwritten notes: Politely written, explaining how NAIS will affect you and your family.
NoNAIS.org has information on the NAIS and why you should say NO NAIS.
Help us save small farms and join the Farm Sticker Roundup to preserve the small farm while buying healthy & local fresh foods that you know are safe. Let’s generate some good news and pass good legislation.
Visit: nonaiswa.wordpress.com for the latest Washington agricultural news & committee member’s names.
Categories: Media · Uncategorized
