During the last several months, I’ve contacted the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) a multitude of times, and politely requested the official AHA position on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
I was ignored, and I imagine hundreds of others who wanted to know, where not responded to.
As a long standing member and breeder of Arabian horses for 40-years, getting no response from AHA certainly sent a message. It told me that members had no right to know, and that certain people in AHA were working behind closed doors on the NAIS-USDA intentions… but with who?
It was clear that AHA believed that the NAIS issue should not be discussed, or brought to any forum that included common members.
Did they ever poll for member input?
It appears AHA is once again quite capable of making major decisions about what’s best for members and their horses without asking. But it seems they had no problem meeting with NAIS agents and the USDA and let them fortify a present and projected future for you, your horses, and your premises.
Oh, it’s all been well thought out by AHA, it all appears to be in your best interest, for the good of your horses and your farm… and of course it lays future negative actions on other agencies. But, the truth is AHA is supporting NAIS and the USDA, and even worse: The poison to be slowly injected lies between the lines of the AHA statement which has just recently been released to me within the last few hours.
Read it and weep, because your AHA has put a highly polished spin on their release, that would make the best of politicians weep with envy, or was the draft actually constructed by a politician…
You’ll find the latest release below, you’ll find it all very much in tune with the NAIS and USDA song and dance, and basically a gearing up routine for a change in pace and quick partner shift in the future, and that partner won’t be AHA members… at least not common members that unknowingly fund AHA secret actions and decisions.
Here’s the AHA recent release:
NAIS Defined:
The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a voluntary program intended to identify premises and livestock, and to record certain livestock movements for the purpose of disease management and control. The program’s ultimate goal is to protect the health of U.S. livestock, as well as our ability to move and market animals, through a State-Federal-Industry partnership.
(My Comment): This is a standard definition given by NAIS-USDA… and there are plenty of examples about, what the USDA actually means by voluntary: It’s not what you think.
Specific benefits of Equine Identification:
• Reduce potential effect and enhance control of equine disease outbreaks.
• Maintain equine commerce and movement of horses in the case of a disease outbreak.
• Assist equestrian events in ensuring a healthy environment for participating horses.
• Expedite recovery and identification of horses lost due to natural disaster, theft, or accident.
• Facilitate import and export of equine.
• Uphold the horse industry as a responsible member of the livestock community.
(My Comment): You are getting sold out again. This is all NAIS and USDA puppet talk!
Important Questions:
Q: Does AHA plan to require members to use the USDA’s 14-digit animal identification number to enter or maintain animals in your registry? And do you plan to require members to use the State’s or USDA’s premises registration system in order to obtain a breed registration number?
(My Comment): This is a convenient question, purposely as a set up!
A: No. AHA has no plans to require animal or premise identification in order to register, transfer ownership or conduct any registration-related business with AHA.
(My Comment): There maybe no officials plans on the table at this time, but there’s no guarantee that there are no future plans for requirement. And if so, it is very likely that members will be once again notified after the fact.
Q: What is the Equine Species Working Group (ESWG)?
(My Comment): This is another convenient set-up question, and as you see, just popped out of no where.
A: Equine Species Working Group (ESWG) is the task force officially recognized by the USDA to evaluate the concept of the National Animal Identification System and its application to the equine industry. The group’s responsibility is to develop recommendations for a national equine identification plan that is in the best interests of, and protects the rights of, horse owners and breeders. The ESWG has submitted comments and continuously updated recommendations to USDA that distinguish the horse industry from other livestock, pointing out the unique characteristics of the industry and outlining our positions and concerns with a national ID program.
(My Comment): This not a definition by AHA. It was taken directly from the ESWG website.
ESWG was registered July 14, 2006.
Their IP address is in Canada.
They tell you on their website, that the ESWG is not a committee of the American Horse Council… …. But why is it that their website is owned by the American Horse Council?
Want to know who the ESWG is working for? I’ll give you their website address at the bottom of the page.
Q: Why is the ESWG reviewing any plan to include equines in the NAIS?
(My Comment): Another leading question.
A: The ESWG is engaged because if the horse industry does not participate in the program’s evaluation and development, a national system could be implemented without its input. The purpose of the NAIS is to protect the livestock industry in case there is an outbreak of potentially catastrophic animal disease or an attack of bio-terrorism. Either scenario could result in a significant loss to the horse industry and seriously limit a horse owner’s ability to move ore export horses. There is strong support for NAIS and USDA, in Congress, with the state animal health authorities and within the livestock industry. The ESWG believes that it is in the best interest of the horse industry to work with those instituting NAIS to be sure that our industry’s specific concerns are understood and considered.
(My Comment): WHOSE CONCERNS? Read the above again very carefully. You’ll see that a national system will be implemented, that the above contains NAIS/USDA common language, that ESWG supports NAIS/USDA… and while your thinking about that, you should realize that AHA supports ESWG, which simply means in plain language, that AHA supports NAIS/USDA intentions as well!
Of course there is strong support for NAIS and USDA, in Congress… it worth Billions of $$$ to the system, large corporations, and veterinarians.
Q: Is it the intention of NAIS to forcibly track the movement of horses?
(My Comment): Another self serving lead to purposely cause your guard to be dropped!
A: No. “The recommendation not to report any equine movements was one that went through much discussion, and one that we feel is very important,” says ESWG Co-Chair Dr. Marvin Beeman. “Although it may not achieve the ideal goal of the NAIS, the current practices will cover those horses at the greatest risk. It is the most practical solution at this time, as there will be no additional burden placed on horse owners or premises owners and managers,” Dr. Beeman added.
(My Comment): This statement is not by AHA, but by Dr. Marvin Beeman, who co-chairs ESWG… but who AHA supports. Dr, Beeman is from Colorado, not far from our very own AHA. He’s quite skilled at spinning a statement. In a couple of days, I’ll guide you to a closer view of just who Dr. Beeman is, and what he truly represents. You’ll clearly see that it’s not the average horse owner, because it appears he has little respect for such. You’ll later see that his statements here, are in conflict with statements at other locations.
Q: What horses should be officially identified?
(My Comment): Whew, how self serving!
A: The ESWG has recommended official identification when a horse is transported to any premises where a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), Brand Inspection, VS-127 permit, or International CVI is required. For the most part, this would exclude those horses participating in recreational activities, weekend ropings, trail rides, and other small gatherings of horses.
(My Comment): Shame, Shame: Soon, in the Beeman article. You’ll see what the goal of ESWG truly is and what monstrosities AHA is backing. It has much to do with Vet-Link. After all, Dr. Beeman is a veterinarian and he knows best, even if Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) does produce cancer!
Q: Is the NAIS going to be mandatory in 2008?
(My Comment): As soon as they can!
A: The NAIS is a voluntary program. There are no regulations being developed at this time for the NAIS to be a nationally-mandated program. The ESWG has recommended that the plan not apply to the horse industry until 2010. There are a few states, such as Wisconsin with mandatory premises registration, that are developing their own legislation on certain components of the NAIS. It is recommended that you check with your state Department of Agriculture to learn more on how your state is currently implementing the NAIS and what its future plans are for the program’s implementation.
(My Comment): It’s true, NAIS is voluntary (at this time) at the National-Federal level, but look about. It’s the STATE level where owners will be mandated!
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The Arabian Horse Association has taken it’s stance. It has issued the above statements as theirs… but unfortunately it all shadows NAIS-USDA, and ESWG. In essence, if you don’t wish to have your horses tagged or chipped, and your premises registered… don’t look for support from AHA. After all, it’s evident they never have been interested in your concerns about the NAIS program and USDA intentions… if so, they would have asked you.
It’s sad, that in a time when it’s so important to work together for the good of the Arabian horse, that the AHA believes they can speak for all of us.
Go here and draw your own conclusion about the Equine Species Working Group:
www.equinespeciesworkinggroup.com