[Jacob-list] ALBC news

[ACAMDA at aol.com]

We belong to the ALBC, so received this in our e-mail today.  Thought some of 
you might be interested.

Kathey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Statement of Concern
National Animal Identification System Proposal
 The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) would like to take this 
opportunity to respond to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s invitation to 
provide input on the emerging proposal relating to development of a National 
Animal Identification System (NAIS).  The mission of the ALBC is, among other 
things, to protect the richness of genetic resources found in American livestock 
and poultry. It is recognized by the scientific and agricultural communities 
that much of the wealth of genetic diversity of America’s purebred flocks and 
herds resides in rare, endangered, and heritage breeds. The future health of the 
American livestock industry may well depend on being able to tap and utilize 
the genetic potential inherent in these animals. ALBC strongly urges all 
decision makers involved with developing the policies and procedures of the NAIS to 
pay careful attention to the effects their actions may have on the maintenance 
of this vital genetic resource.
 For a variety of reasons, many of our country’s rare, endangered and 
heritage breeds of livestock and poultry are stewarded and maintained on small, 
independent farms and ranches.  Thus, any regulations, policies or procedures that 
may prove sufficiently onerous or cumbersome will discourage a significant 
number of those farmers and ranchers currently breeding or contemplating raising 
such animals. The NAIS program could have serious, unintended, and 
unanticipated effects on the long-term viability of our nation’s livestock industry.
 ALBC appreciates that some benefits can accrue from the development of a 
carefully considered national system of animal identification.  However, as the 
only national organization concerned with the conservation of our nation’s 
livestock and poultry, we urge all NAIS decision and policy makers to be aware of 
the importance of conserving our national livestock genetic legacy and to be 
mindful that regulations and procedures designed specifically for agribusiness 
and large-scale production systems may have disproportionate impact on those 
currently maintaining these genetic resources. 
 Policies, procedures, and regulations that inappropriately or unnecessarily 
discourage farmers and ranchers from considering or continuing to steward 
rare, endangered, or heritage agricultural animals could lead to the extinction or 
functional loss of the genetic resource these creatures represent.  Such a 
loss would diminish our country’s genetic legacy, significantly reduce the 
capacity of present and future animal breeders to respond to new challenges and 
opportunities, and potentially compromise our nation’s food security.
 ALBC stands ready to have dialogue with those charged in development of NAIS 
to ensure this precious and vulnerable livestock and poultry legacy can be 
secured.
By taking a public position, ALBC may be able to amend the proposed NAIS 
and/or its Program Standards such that the adverse impact on breeders and small 
farmers is eliminated or significantly reduced.
 Points of Concern:
NAIS creates an unfair economic and administrative burden for breeders and 
small farmer while providing little or no benefit. 
While the NAIS trace back system does have some merit, clearly the enhanced 
export markets provide no benefit to breeders and small farmers. 
The onerous record keeping and procedures of NAIS discourage present and 
future breeders and small farmers, and thus adverse impact to the conservation of 
rare breeds of livestock and poultry is anticipated. 
NAIS has moved into reality too quickly for fair appraisal, comment, or 
design. 
No evaluation of cost to benefit has been undertaken. 
 Board of Directors, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
P.O. Box 477
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-5704
editor at albc-usa.org
www.albc-usa.org
 
THE AMERICAN LIVESTOCK BREEDS CONSERVANCY, founded in 1977, is a non-profit 
membership organization working to protect over 150 breeds of cattle, goats, 
horses, asses, sheep, pigs, rabbits and poultry from extinction. It is the 
pioneer organization in the U.S. working to conserve heritage breeds and genetic 
diversity in livestock.
 
 
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