From: VICFA Voice
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 12:17 PM
Subject: Action Alert: NAIS forced on Virginia Goat and Sheep Owners?
***ACTION ALERT***
Proposed Virginia Mandatory Scrapie Regulations for Sheep & Goats--NAIS through the back door
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS NOW -- Public comment period ends December 14, 2007
PLEASE GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARING -- DECEMBER 6
Thursday, December 6, 2007, 11:00 am, 102 Governor St., VDACS Boardroom,
Richmond, Virginia.
This regulation will hurt small goat and sheep owners--potentially putting
them out of business--and force them into NAIS by requiring them to register
for a premises ID number.
According to proposed regulation 2 VAC 5-206, Regulation for Scrapie Eradication,
sheep and goat owners must:
1. Register their farms with the State to obtain a Premises Identification Number
2. Keep records (which are subject to inspection by representatives of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services) for 5 years every time they buy, sell, move from one management to another or show/exhibit a
sexually intact goat or sheep, unless that animal goes directly to slaughter.
DETAILS:
Any violation of this regulation is punishable by a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.
Scrapie is virtually a non-existent disease problem in Virginia. According to information VICFA obtained through a FOIA
request to VDACS, zero cases in
goats and only 3 cases in sheep have ever been recorded in Virginia.
Farmers registering their farms for the scrapie program will be rolled into the National Animal Identification System
if it becomes law, forcing farmers into the NAIS through the backdoor.
Implementation under the authority of Dr. Richard Wilkes, Chief State Veterinarian of Virginia
ACTIONS:
1. Submit your comments calling for the withdrawal of this proposed regulation:
FAX: 804.225.2666
PHONE: 804-692-0601
Write:
Dr. Richard Wilkes
Division of Animal and Food Industry Services
P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 232187
2. Attend the public hearing on December 6 (see time/location above).
The proposed regulation can be read online at:
2007, VOL. 23 ISSUE 21. (Note that the dates for the public comment period, public hearing and contact person might
not have been updated on the website. Our information is correct).
For more information, contact Christine Solem, 434.973.6505.
Deborah Stockton, Editor
VICFA Voice
