In a letter sent to Congress, R-CALF USA and 45 other farming, ranching, and food groups urged immediate action to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rule that mandates electronic ear tags for adult cattle and bison crossing state lines.
Set to take effect November 5, 2024, despite industry-wide opposition, the new rule amends the current Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule of 2013, which R-CALF USA says has been highly effective at disease traceback and allows producers to use their choice of animal identification best suited to their operation.
In the letter, the groups wrote that the USDA’s new mandate “will unfairly burden small- and medium-scale producers, further consolidate our food supply in the hands of a few large meatpackers, and undermine our national food security.”
The letter continued stating, “Multinational meatpacking corporations and high-tech companies are pushing mandatory electronic identification (EID) for livestock, claiming that it’s an animal health measure and supports food safety – but neither is true. The real story is that it promotes international exports, thus maximizing the meatpacking companies’ profits, while the high-tech companies will make millions selling tags, readers, and related infrastructure, all at the expense of farmers and ranchers.”
The groups’ letter discussed the concerns that rose following a USDA press release that claimed this mandate is an animal health program and is key to maintaining foreign markets but also described its intentions to create a “modern animal disease traceability system that tracks animals from birth to slaughter”.
According to the letter, USDA had stated 70% of cattle would need to be traceable for full traceability in the instance of a foreign disease outbreak, yet the Agency estimated that this new rule would only apply to about 11% of cattle.
The letter concluded by urging Congress to pass H.J.Res.167, S.J.Res.98, and S.4282 to block the mandate, three pieces of legislation that have growing support, particularly in the House as nearly 30 congressmen have signed on in support of H.J.Res.167 led by Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY).
“The USDA’s plan for animal traceability has faced widespread opposition from cow-calf producers and livestock owners across the entire country from its first attempted National Animal Identification System to this new rule,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “Despite the fact that producers overwhelmingly commented in opposition to the proposed rule, USDA chose to ignore the needs and concerns of American ranchers and push ahead with its preplanned agenda.”
“This mandate is only the start towards mandating EID tags on all livestock and total control,” Bullard continued. “It will force thousands of farmers and ranchers out of business, and Congress must stop it now.”