NAIS claims raise serious questions

To the editor:Regarding Dr. John Clifford's letter: NAIS is an "information system that will enable producers and animal health officials to respond ... to animal health events." Wrong. NAIS changes my right to raise animals to a privilege granted by the government. If I don't participate, I will be fined.

"Participation in NAIS is voluntary at the federal level." True now. Original USDA documents pushed mandatory. USDA now waves big bucks in front of state lawmakers to make it mandatory at the state level. Mandatory is mandatory.

"Premises registration -- is free." Technically true. However, regulations written in Texas (currently on hold) impose a $10 yearly fee. If NAIS becomes law, do you believe that fees will not be imposed or raised?

"USDA has commissioned cost-benefit analyses to determine actual costs." "USDA will protect individual's private and confidential business information ... from disclosure." Now they have commissioned an analysis. This after already spending millions trying to implement NAIS so far without one? Last figure I read was $84 million. USDA will protect our information? How many computers has the government lost recently?

"The threat of an animal disease ... is real." "The registration of premises and identification of animals is a critical tool for safeguarding our nation's herds and flocks from disease." Disease is not a reason to give up my rights. NAIS will not safeguard my flocks/herds. It will make them an easy target for slaughter by government storm troopers.

PATRICK ODLE, Highlands, Texas