Cattle Group Opposed to Mandatory Electronic Ear Tags

An issue that R-CALF United Stock Growers of America continues to work on is the controversial topic of mandating the use of electronic ear tags in cattle, which CEO, Bill Bullard says they are opposed to.

“The rule still allows for the handwritten notes and records and does not require that transfer. And as a result of that, the real purpose of the rule is simply to force producers to infer the cost of the electronic identification system.”

Bullard says the rule does not require e EIDs to be read by an electronic one for database transfer without this requirement. He says the promised improvement and traceability won't be achieved.

“This rule does not do that. So this is a precursor to the next step, and when the next step, of course, and USDA has acknowledged this, that they want to include all feeder cattle in a mandatory Eid, we're fighting against this. Congresswoman, Harriet Hageman from Wyoming, is introducing a resolution of disapproval, just like what the senators did in in the Paraguay rule and over to overturn the rule. We're actually looking right now at that possibility of litigation to stop USDA from infringing on the freedoms and liberties of us cattle producers to manage the operations the way they see fit.”

Once again, R-CALF USA CEO, Bill Bullard. With this line on agriculture report, I'm Lorrie Boyer for the Ag Information Network.