Speak Your Piece: Government Requires Children to Play 'Tag'

editor — Wed, 3 Oct 2007 09:30:16 -0700

So far, the federal government is not requiring that 4-H cakes be ID'd, but anything is possible.
Photo: cleanm

I love my country as much as any man but sometimes I think she cheats on me.

You’ll recall that in April 2005 the USDA called for both mandatory registration of livestock premises and individual animal identification. The plan, known as NAIS, required that the movement of any animal must be reported within 48 hours. That plan caused such a backlash that in November 2006 the USDA backtracked and said, “We must emphasize that NAIS is a voluntary program at the Federal level, and USDA has no plans to make participation in any component of the program mandatory."

But if the program is so voluntary, then why is the USDA using innocent kids to implement its pipe dream?

Mandatory Volunteers

By Lee Pitts

Speak Your Piece: Government Requires Children to Play 'Tag'