Several bills were introduced to address NAIS and related issues this session.

HB 1473 would have barred any NAIS in Virginia. The bill died in committee.

HB 1525, while not strictly a NAIS bill, is closely related to the NAIS issue. The state agency has proposed regulations to require premises registration and tagging under the scrapie program, and many are concerned because this information could then be rolled into NAIS in the future. In response, HB 1525 limits the agency’s authority: “Any scrapie regulations for goats and sheep adopted by the Board shall limit intrastate identification, reporting, and movement restrictions to infected and source flocks and high-risk animals.” The Civil Courts Subcommittee has carried HB 1525 over to 2009.

A budget line amendment was introduced to cut off funding for a mandatory NAIS: "No funds derived from any source shall be used to implement, develop, maintain, enforce, or support any mandatory provisions of the program identified by the United States Department of Agriculture as the "National Identification System." It did not succeed.

SB 272 passed. It allows people to sell specific goods, such as candies and jams, at farmers markets or out of their home without state inspection.

Action Alert

Hearing on HB 1990 - Call and email now!
January 30, 2007

Press Releases

Virginia legislature introduces a bill to reject NAIS in this state
January 8, 2007

Virginia Legislator Calls for a Halt to the National Animal Identification System
January 8, 2007

Summary as of 2/22/07

HB 1990 in Virginia initially consisted of just one sentence, barring the state agency from "participat[ing] in or provid[ing] any assistance to the establishment of the National Animal Identification System or any substantially similar program." At a subcommittee hearing on January 23, the legislators agreed to amend the bill to bar only a mandatory program and to allow the agency to remain involved in the USDA discussions on the program. The amended bill died when it reached the full committee.

Status:

The Virginia Department of Agriculture has been pursuing a voluntary program.

Grassroots activity:

T-Town Tack in Tappahannock is distributing info against NAIS.

Political activity:

Del. Rob Wittman introduced HB 1990 on January 5, 2007. The bill states: "The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall ensure that the Department does not participate in or provide any assistance to the establishment of the National Animal Identification System or any substantially similar program."