By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A debate is raging over the state of Illinois’ decision to pursue mandatory enforcement of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and premises identification registration for Illinois state and county fairs.

At press time, a bill sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville) was being debated and amended that would forbid the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) from requiring premises registration or NAIS electronic identification for members of 4-H, FFA and others showing animals at Illinois fairs unless directed by the federal government.

The measure would also require the IDOA to develop a procedure for thousands of people who have already enrolled to withdraw from NAIS, according to the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund.
After passing the Illinois House by a 108-0 vote on April 1, the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee supported HB 5776, which would block IDOA’s plan, by a 9-0 vote in mid-May. On April 18, IDOA announced that premises ID would be encouraged, but not required, to exhibit livestock at state, county, 4-H and FFA fairs in 2008.

“We’re working with livestock groups on a compromise to this issue, and everyone I’ve talked to has suggested that additional education and outreach is needed,” stated Tom Jennings, acting IDOA director, in a news release. “This decision will enable such efforts to continue while we work on an agreement that everyone can live with.”

Though IDOA withdrew its requirements for the 2008 fair season, the agency still believes that premises ID and NAIS would greatly enhance the ability of Illinois animal health professionals to contain disease outbreaks.

“A premises registration number is like a 911 address for animals,” Jennings said. “Without a doubt, having that information in a searchable, electronic database would strengthen our disease-fighting capabilities, especially at high-risk events like fairs where large numbers of animals are confined for short periods of time and then moved.”

Registering premises involves obtaining a seven-digit “identifier” for one’s farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or other location through the IDOA; learn more at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid

The agency touts enlisting in the national program as putting one’s operation “on the front line of controlling and preventing the spread of animal disease. Participation ensures that you have the information you need, when you need it most, to protect your animals and your investment.”

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund and Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance are urging those upset with the state’s actions concerning mandatory premises ID and NAIS to contact their area legislators.

The groups maintain that NAIS will hurt Illinois’ economy because of small farmers and ranchers not being able to afford costs of the program, or by passing additional costs on to consumers. The groups also maintain that neither the USDA nor the IDOA has scientific proof that NAIS will improve disease control.

In addition, they say NAIS will not improve food safety and will not protect against terrorism because the microchip system is flawed and can be easily tampered with. Finally, the groups maintain NAIS infringes on constitutional rights including due process, privacy and religious freedom. Links to the groups’ complete stances on NAIS and Illinois are available at www.farmandranchfreedom. org and www.ftcldf.org

Jennings told news sources IDOA is neutral concerning HB 5776.
“It is not the desire of state government to mandate premises registration,” Jennings was quoted as saying by Gatehouse News Service. “The focus here is timeliness so that we can do the proper quarantine and containment that is necessary to protect all of the animals in the state of Illinois, regardless of species, from disease outbreaks.”