Via American Grassfed Association:
“In Kentucky, about 150 people attended the USDA [Pretends-to-be-Listening] session. Thirty-seven people spoke, with more than 90% speaking against a mandatory NAIS. Those who spoke against it were mostly individuals, speaking for themselves. Pro-NAIS speakers all represented organizations or their employers. Wendell Berry gave a rousing speech declaring that this was the first meeting he’d been at with USDA, after decades of activism, where USDA brought armed police to protect itself. Ralph Packard, a natural livestock farmer, agreed with Wendell Berry, that the government will need its guns if they make the program mandatory and require people to register their farms and animals. Speakers came from Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Break-out groups started early, but no consensus was possible. Some USDA personnel continued to insist that NAIS is voluntary, ignoring the coercion that USDA has funded, and state mandatory programs, also funded by USDA. One USDA staffer painstakingly stated that there are many tagging options and that microchips aren’t required “at this time.” When confronted that his comment meant this could change, he would not respond. It was obvious that pro-NAIS personnel were uncomfortable, but also did not come prepared to make concessions. More promising were the connections made among anti-NAIS activists. The Community Farm Alliance held a press conference at noon. Adam Barr, Ralph Packard, Weldell Berry, and Karin Bergener spoke about why NAIS will wipe out small, independent farmers and the meetings still failed to truly provide farmers a forum because of the late notices, and timing during busy season.”
The Kentucky session has not yet been posted to YouTube, but I’m watching all of the Austin footage now. Unexpectedly, my favorite speaker was be Bill Hughes of Livestock Marketing Assoc. of Texas:
I hope the UselessDeeYayhoos listen to the overwhelmingly against NAIS comments at these supposed listening sessions. But I fear the money thrown at them by corporate ag, which is our tax money by the way, will speak louder…in fact, the USDA is infiltrated by corporate ag people, so they think of us as being in the way, so i wonder what they will do when we refuse to comply…get the military after us?
Russia did just that back in the 930′s. stalin wanted the govt to own all the farms and sent in troops when the farmers rebelled…they would not let them eat their own grain. Millions starved.
Just keep calling those elected offal and tell them your chicken, horse, cow, pig, sheep votes. Money can’t put them in office but your votes can take them out.
oh forgot this little intersting tidbit about why stalin wanted the govt to own all the farms..he wanted to get the grain grown on them on the world market…exact same reason for NAIS, getting beef/meat on the global market only it is the corporations in league with out govt.
Go Wendell, you rock! I love his display of civil disobedience and back him 100%. If the government gets their way in this matter, we are just marching toward placing everyone in bondage, as well as threatening our small, good food supply. Everyone must revolt!!