News

Missouri farm groups weigh in on NAIS

One of Missouri’s farm group leaders got the chance to speak at the USDA listening session on National Animal ID in Jefferson City Tuesday. Missouri Farmers Union board chairman Richard Oswald, a northeast Missouri farmer, had his number drawn and was one of about 50 people who could speak on the record about NAIS that morning. Oswald told the group, “I want all you Farm Bureau members to know out there that in Missouri Farmers Union policy it states clearly that – Missouri Farmers Union opposed mandatory animal ID [applause]. It didn’t just happen yesterday, either, and we’re signing up members today and we need help, so ya’ll come.” Oswald says Missouri Farmers Union has split from National Farmers Union in its opposition to any kind of animal traceability system.
Missouri Farm Bureau’s beef advisory committee chairman, Glen Cope, submitted his written comments because his number was not drawn. But on his way back home to southwest Missouri, Cope, a cow-calf producer, told Brownfield that Missouri Farm Bureau wants to keep NAIS voluntary, “Farm Bureau completely supports a voluntary program. If a producer doesn’t want to participate in NAIS it is Farm Bureau’s stance that they don’t have to.”

One of only a few people who spoke in favor of NAIS, a Missouri pork producer, was booed off the microphone by several people in the crowd.
In the afternoon, any participant could speak on the record in one of three group discussions on NAIS.

Missouri Farmers Union
Missouri Farm Bureau Federation

AUDIO: Richard Oswald, Langdon, MO farmer, Missouri Farmers Union, NAIS testimy, 3:00 min., MP3

AUDIO: Glen Cope, Aurora farmer, Missouri Farm Bureau, 8:00 min., MP3