US patriot act affecting farmed fish
USA: The implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is not progressing as smoothly as the supporters of this new regulation had hoped. Recent lawsuits are slowing down the process. At the same time, these lawsuits display the frustration some animal owners have over this legislation.
The NAIS is a result of the Patriot Act and therefore there has been no formal hearings from the people or no legislative review. It is meant to make access to international markets easier and more streamlined, especially for multinational meatpackers and processors of animal products, and at the same time protect them from liability involving their products.
According to NaturalNews.com, one suit is attempting to stop the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) from implementing the NAIS. The website reports that the first two stages of the NAIS have been implemented, including property registration and issuance of a 15-digit unique ID tag for all cattle and farms throughout Michigan. This effort is later meant to also include other farm animals and farmed fish.
A third stage will include the livestock owners to report to a database all changes in ownership and significant changes in location or status of any animal. The animal owners will have to pay a fee each time they submit a report.
The pending lawsuits are asking the court to stop the implementation of NAIS.
