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12/21/2003 Archived Entry: "The trial run for nationwide people-tracking"
THE TRIAL RUN FOR NATIONWIDE PEOPLE-TRACKING. Here it is, folks. The trial run for tracking you from coast to coast and birth to grave (or birth to slaughter, as the linked article so charmingly puts it). And how appropriate -- it begins with cattle and other (undefined) livestock.
I wish I could post this one in neon letters 100 feet high. Because if people don't get it now, they'll never get it, ever. Ever. Not until they, too, are in the cattle cars. This system is, of course, complete overkill for the stated purpose (disease prevention). And did anybody outside of government or the factory-farming industry every even hear a whisper of the planning for a nationwide livestock tracking system until it burst full-blown upon us?
It's sheer perfection as a model for a future electronic "internal passport" system for docile, moo-ing, baa-ing human beings.
USDA creating national livestock ID system
By Teresa Bjork, Iowa Farm Bureau...The National Food Animal Identification Task Force recommends that
the USDA implement the plan in three phases:
* Phase I - All premises involved in livestock production,
including farms, auction barns and processing facilities, will
receive an ID number that is unique throughout the United
States. The task force proposes that phase I begin in July 2004.
* Phase II - All livestock will receive unique individual ID
numbers, beginning July 2005. In the case of pork and poultry,
groups or lots will receive unique ID numbers. Animals will
receive visible eartags featuring the ID numbers. Starting in
July 2005, the system will use radio frequency identification
devices (RFID) to electronically identify animals.
* Phase III - All animal movements will be tracked electronically.
The reporting of interstate animal movements will begin in July
2005, while intrastate movement tracing will begin in July 2006.APHIS will maintain a centralized database to collect all ID information
under the proposed system. U.S. animal health officials will use the
information only for animal disease control.
Katherine Albrecht, as usual, was the first to spot and grab this item. Katherine, I don't know how you can watch the future that's coming at you and still have hope.
Posted by Claire @ 08:01 PM CST
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