Federal worries spark state responses

Farmers and ranchers in Washington will be asked to disclose information about their animals and property under a voluntary program designed to stave off the quick spread of livestock diseases.

It’s the state’s answer to the federal government’s controversial National Animal Identification System program. NAIS was spawned in the wake of the nation’s first case of mad cow disease and concerns that terrorists would attempt to poison the nation’s food supply or decimate animal herds to harm the nation’s economy.

Many small farms and ranches, however, are worried that identifying animals amounts to government meddling and higher costs. Those fears, said Chris Spaulding, animal identification specialist with the Washington state Department of Agriculture, led to states being asked to design and put into place individual programs.

In Washington and Idaho, farmers will be asked to voluntarily fill out what’s called a premise registration. It’s basically a questionnaire asking for contact information, farm size and animal species. It will not require electronic tags for animals. Though the federal identification program is not yet final, it is moving in a direction that gives farmers and states flexibility.

“This is not something that will be shoved down peoples’ throats,” Spaulding said.

– John Stucke