Citizens Seek to Raise Public Awareness of National Animal ID System (NAIS)

Lapeer, Mich. – Concerned citizens of Lapeer County and surrounding counties, in conjunction with Liberty Ark Coalition, are sponsoring two presentations, Friday September 29, and Saturday 30, to raise public awareness of what they claim is an intrusive and unnecessary government program called the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

Karin Bergener, Esq., LAC Steering Committee member says, “If current USDA premises ID registration and electronic animal ID registration plans are fully adopted and implemented, the likely outcome of NAIS is that animal ownership will be increasingly limited to large entities who can afford to comply and who are willing to accept the government intrusion. This “feel good” program will do virtually nothing to safeguard animal health, its alleged purpose.”

A variety of other concerns regarding NAIS have been expressed by the two groups, including several farmers from the area that feel that NAIS will do all of the following:

· Drive small producers and their supporting suppliers (feed stores, auction houses, etc.) out of existence.

· Make people abandon raising animals for their own food and as pets.

· Invade Americans’ personal privacy to a degree never before tolerated.

· Deprive Americans of their property rights.

· Violate the religious freedom of Americans whose beliefs make it impossible for them to comply.

· Cost the American economy far more than it will deliver.

Two opportunities to learn about NAIS are planned. The first will be a NAIS Panel Discussion on Friday Sept. 29 at 6:30pm in the North Branch High School auditorium located at 6598 Brush St., North Branch MI 48461 (1/4 mile S. of M-90).

Panelists include Ms. Bergener, who has taken a lead role in presenting the potential impact of NAIS on the USA’s small farmers and taxpayers. Representatives from MI Dept. of Agriculture, MSU Extension, MI Farm Bureau, MI Pork Producers, MI Holstein Assoc., MI Milk Producers Association, RCalf and local farmers have been invited to participate as panelists. Local and state elected officials are encouraged to attend.

On Saturday Sept. 30, Karin Bergener will present two free NAIS lectures at the Growing Connections 2006 Conference & Organic Harvest Festival at Springfield Oaks County Park, 12450 Anderson Rd, Davisburg MI (Oakland Co. 4-H Fairgrounds). The hour long presentations will be at 10:30 am and at 3:00 pm in the Livestock Barn. Festival admission is $10; for festival information go to www.htnetwork.org and click on Growing Connections. For more information on NAIS go to www.LibertyArk.Net .

Any news organization seeking interviews or additional information about the NAIS issue please contact Karin Bergener or Marilyn Maasch, listed as media contacts. News organizations are also welcome at the presentations; for Growing Connections please report to volunteer check-in for admittance.

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