Have you heard about this new mandate?
The USDA has officially announced the enforcement of Electronic ID (EID) tags for cows and bison, a move aimed at "improving" traceability and disease management.
Understanding the New Requirement
In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) once again proposed a ‘rule’ mandating that all cattle and bison producers begin using Electronic Identification Device (EID) eartags, while also announcing that they will no longer recognize traditional traceability methods such as brands, backtags and tattoos.Â
Then, in April of this year, congress passed the bill ruling that certain cattle and bison classes will be required to have an EID tag if moving across state lines.
The livestock that fall under this rule include:
- All sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age and older;
- All female dairy cattle of any age and all male dairy cattle born after March 11, 2013;
- Cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events;
- And cattle and bison of any age used for shows or exhibitions.
The proposed reason behind enforcing these tags is quicker identification and containment of disease outbreaks, protecting animal and public health.
However, while this may sound like a good idea from the outside, when looking in this could create a huge opportunity for government overreach and one step closer to full control of our food supply.
What are the Risks of EID's?
Increased Costs for Farmers
Implementing EID technology involves significant costs. These include purchasing the tags, acquiring EID readers, and upgrading infrastructure to handle the new system. For small-scale and family-run farms like ours, these expenses can be particularly burdensome.
Technical Challenges and Reliability Issues
EID technology, while advanced, is not without its flaws. Issues such as tag malfunctions, data reading errors, and compatibility problems with existing farm equipment can disrupt daily operations and add layers of complexity to livestock management.
Privacy and Data Security Concerns
The collection and storage of detailed data on livestock movements and health records raise significant privacy issues. Ensuring the security of this data is crucial, yet there are concerns about potential breaches and misuse of sensitive information.
Impact on Farm Operations
The transition to mandatory electronic tags may lead to operational disruptions. The time and effort required to tag animals, update records, and manage the new system can strain resources and affect the smooth running of farm activities.
Compliance and Penalties
Strict compliance with the new regulations is mandatory, and any lapses can result in penalties. The added pressure to meet these requirements consistently can be stressful and may divert attention from other essential farming tasks.
How Can EID's Lead to Government Overreach?
As of right now, the government is only requiring Cattle and Bison, but who is to say they'll stop there?
They say it is to have greater control and management of diseases, but who decides which animal is actually sick at all? Someone sitting behind a desk in a suit who has never worked on a farm?
There are other concerns such as not allowing farmers process their cows because they didn't meet certain requirements.
So What's Next?
The mandate doesn't go into effect until November 2024. Small Farmers and Ranchers are some of the most resilient people, however, they need your support more than ever!
Call your congressman, shop with local and small farmer's only, reject the bureaucratic mandates, show congress that the people have the power.   Â