Fighting to Stop the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

Status:

The State Senate adopted PA SB 865, but the bill died in the House. The bill would have provided for mandatory premises identification in accordance with NAIS and eventual mandatory identification and reporting of all animal movements, specifically including horses, cattle, chickens, and swine. The bill died with end of the legislative session but is likely to be reintroduced in the coming session.

Time to Rally the troops with regard to Premises Identification in Pennsylvania! Dennis Wolff, Pa. Dept. of Agriculture, is holding a town meeting in Morgantown at the Holiday Inn on October 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. This is a very important opportunity to confront our Secretary of Agriculture with our concerns pertaining to SB 865 (premises identification in Pennsylvania) and the overall NAIS scheme! Please plan to attend and be sure to notify Bill Zollers, Region 7 Office, at , that you will be attending. Let's fill the room!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Oct. 12, 2006

Department of Agriculture Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

CONTACT: Jean H. Kummer

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY KICKS OFF FOURTH ANNUAL HARVEST TOUR

HARRISBURG - Farmers and agribusiness leaders across the state will have an opportunity to discuss their concerns with Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff as part of the fourth annual Harvest Tour, which began today in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Each year the Harvest Tour allows us to have an open dialogue about the issues and concerns our industry faces, said Wolff. Governor Rendell is anxious to hear what is important to the producers and businesses throughout the commonwealth. He uses this information to fine-tune existing programs and establish new initiatives to keep Pennsylvania agriculture growing.

As part of the Harvest Tour, Secretary Wolff will hold meetings with industry stakeholders, farm tours and open-forum town hall meetings. Secretary Wolff and agricultural officials will discuss state initiatives like the Center for Farm Transitions, Center for Dairy Excellence and PAgrows.

Producers have a lot of questions about premises identification, milk pricing and a number of other topics, said Wolff. These meetings will provide some of the answers for which they are looking.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Harvest Tour will host three open-forum sessions, each beginning at 7 p.m. The schedule follows:

Southeastern Pennsylvania: Tuesday, Oct. 17
Holiday Inn, Morgantown, Pa.
To participate, contact Bill Zollers, Region 7 Office, at

Northwestern Pennsylvania: Tuesday, Oct. 24
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Region 1 Office, Meadville, Pa.
To participate, contact Linda Field, Region 1 Office, at

Northeastern Pennsylvania: Friday, Oct. 27
Hamlin Diner, Hamlin, Pa.
To participate, contact Ron Williams, Region 3 Office, at