More NAIS Worry

This is another forward about farmers in Wisconsin being arrested for not
registering their animal premises. It came through the Virginia DHMA –

This NAIS information comes from my friend Karen Nowak who raises Hackney Horses and Heritage poultry on a converted dairy farm in New York
Karen started out studying NAIS to see how it would effect her organic certification for her poultry and hay sales. She has become very active in the NO NAIS movement and the more she finds out, the more active she is. Shas been kind enough to keep me informed and I feel compelled to pass on the results of all her hard work. I don’t know how she finds time to do this, as she is a full time trama nurse and gives CE nursing clinics as well as running her farm virtually by herself with her ailing husband and elderly mother to care for. The least I can do is act when she gives me something easy I can to to stop this atrocity. NAIS will have a tremendous impact on what we can do with our horses and increase our costs whice none of us can afford. Barb (pass it on)

This is for real! I know of 3 dairy farmers in WI who have actually been arrested so far for failing to register their premises. One of those arrested has heard there are many more and is going to get us an actual count. (NAIS is mandatory in WI.)
The WI Dept of Agriculture is reportedly sending out letters to farmers threatening them with a $5000 fine if they do not register or renew the registration on their premises. I am waiting to get an actual copy of one of those letters to verify that part of the story. The arrests are real and I have copies of the legal documents from the most recent arrest. If anyone doubts me, e-mail me and I will be happy to send them.
Below is the actual law in WI that allows this to happen. (Red highlighting mine.) Please read it and realize that this could happen in every state if the bills currently before Congress get passed.

CHAPTER 95

ANIMAL HEALTH

95.23 Disease investigation and enforcement.

95.23(1)

(1) Authorized inspectors and agents of the department may enter at reasonable times any premises, building or place to investigate the existence of animal diseases or to investigate violations of or otherwise enforce the laws relating to animal health. Any animals or materials suspected of being infected may be examined or tested. No person shall obstruct or interfere with such investigation or enforcement work, or attempt to do so, in any manner, by threat or otherwise.

95.23(2)

(2) Upon request of an authorized inspector or agent of the department, sheriffs and police officers shall assist in the enforcement of the laws relating to animal health.

95.99 Penalties.

95.99(1)

(1) Any person who violates this chapter, or an order issued or a rule adopted under this chapter, for which a specific penalty is not prescribed shall, for the first offense, be fined not more than $1,000; and for any subsequent offense fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.

95.99(2)

(2) The department may seek an injunction restraining any person from violating this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter.

95.99(3)

(3) A person who violates this chapter or any rule promulgated or order issued under this chapter, for which a specific penalty is not prescribed, may be required to forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $5,000 for the first offense and may be required to forfeit not less than $400 nor more than $5,000 for the 2nd or subsequent offense committed within 5 years of an offense for which a penalty has been assessed under this section. A forfeiture under this subsection is in lieu of a criminal penalty under sub. (1).

NAIS apparently falls under #3 above from the arrest documents I have seen so far. The one dairy farmer, that I know personally, is going to take this legally as far as he can because the police (at the direction of the WI Dept of Ag rep) actually hauled him off his farm in handcuffs when he said “I will NOT comply with NAIS”.
Please, please take NAIS seriously! Contact your US Senators. Ask to speak to their Ag staffer and explain how NAIS would impact you and small farmers in your state and across the country. Most have/had NO CLUE that NAIS will impact small farmers and horse owners. They were under the impression that it was for Big Ag (where all the true problems lie). Tell them to demand that the $14 million allocated for NAIS in HR 1105 (the Appropriations bill) be removed.
If you are not sure how to contact your Senator, follow this link: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
HR 875, sponsored by Rosa DeLauro of CT and co-sponsored by 39 Congressmen (including 6 from NY) WILL create a mandatory NAIS. That bill is currently before the House Ag and Commerce committees as is HR 814 and HR 815. There are companion bills to all 3 before the Senate as well. I will keep everyone updated on those bills.
I will be going to DC in April to help at a NIFCA (National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association) function. Among other things, we will be providing our elected officials with a brunch of locally grown foods to show them what they will miss if NAIS is made mandatory. My hope is that I will be able to secure appointments to speak with our ‘esteemed’ NY Senators and Congressman McHugh. I doubt Schumer will agree because he thinks we are all beneath him but hopefully Gillibrand will agree. McHugh I am quite sure will agree as he has been very receptive to listening about NAIS in the past.
Karen