Linda Faillace, author of Mad Sheep, talks about the NAIS

Linda Faillace, author of Mad Sheep, talks about why the proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS) will harm American farmers.

In the mid-1990s Linda and Larry Faillace had a dream: they wanted to breed sheep and make cheese on their Vermont farm. They did the research, worked hard, followed the rules, and, after years of preparation and patience, built a successful, entrepreneurial business.

But just like that, their dream turned into a nightmare. The U.S. Department of Agriculture told them that the sheep they imported from Europe (with the USDA's seal of approval) carried a disease similar to the dreaded BSE or "mad cow disease." After months of surveillance—which included USDA agents spying from nearby mountaintops and comically hiding behind bushes—armed federal agents seized their flock. The animals were destroyed, the Faillace's lives turned upside down, all so that the USDA could show the U.S. meat industries that they were protecting America from mad cow disease—and by extension, easing fears among an increasingly wary population of meat-eaters.

Published by Chelsea Green Publishing in White River Junction, Vermont.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Mad
• Sheep
• cow
• usda
• government
• linda
• faillace
• chelsea
• green

[concerned00citizen]

NAIS is an invasion of privacy. Registration didn't help you! It has been reported that probably officials spread disease in England. Another way to put small farmers out of business. With the system already in place the government tracks sale animals. You of all people should NOT be promoting USDA or any other government agency. Our food is going to be imported in the future and not be grown in America. I'm disappointed you would promote any government agency.

[chelseagreenpub]

"You can't trust the USDA." @ 7min 40sec

This video promotes consumer and animal health through local control and oversight. It does not promote the NAIS or USDA. Please watch the whole video and see for yourself.

[skival]

The USDA are Nazis. They work for factory farms and hate small farmers.

[allmuxedup]

I totally agree w/ just about every thing she says in this video. BUT, the cattle on MY farm NEVER see grain of ANY type! They are totally pasture raised, from conception to harvest. Only meat leaves my farm.

There is NO chance that MY cattle have BSE!!!

BSE is why I bought the farm! I wanted my children & grandchildren to have healthy meat & that was the only way I could ensure it. I control the food my children & grandchildren eat. We have a huge garden & the farm.

[JJJJview07]

NAIS continues to be a waste of money. NAIS is punitive. NAIS is biased. NAIS does not work.

No has been voiced over, and over, and over, it is not wanted. Yet there is more and more money wasted by the USDA in the pursuit to make it manditory. What part of "No" does the USDA not understand? There is pushback for a solid reasons. We do not want it. It is that simple. We still say No.

[esbeesue]

Though I in no way endorse it, Santeria religion practices animal sacrifice (chickens, goats). It is legal in the US. A Santerian is suing a Texas town for the right to sacrifice within the city limits of that town. Will they chip and report the animals they sacrifice?

[esbeesue]

Will rural poor w/ a few livestock chip their critters when they can barely afford potato chips! File reports on computers they cannot afford w/ electricity they do not have when a coyote takes a chicken? The Amish whose whole lifestyle is based on horses and other farm animals?

[esbeesue]

How many people will want to buy an animal when they find out all the expensive hoops they have to jump through? Instead of horses, people will buy 4-wheelers for their kids instead.

[esbeesue]

Do you know that the only segment of society now required to be tagged and tracked are convicted sexoffenders/child molesters?

Those of us who own even one livestock animal will be under more surveillance than illegals or drug dealers. Why does this program sound more and more like something out of communist/fascist countries?

[concerned00citizen]

When the video even say registration of animals through ANY gov agency it is promotion of gov control of FARMS. We already have too many tenant farmers in VT. So I disagree with you.  When I see Patrick Leahy in their video it makes me sick. More family farms were put out of business while he was CHAIR of ag committee. Just to mention one of Leahy's treasons to America. GE foods unlabeled etc.

[concerned00citizen]

See Vermont Shay if you want to see why you shouldn't trust your government.