EDMONTON – The national cattle identification program is still a year away, but farmers aren’t waiting to question the program.
“There is a real concern out there that something is not right yet,” said Dale Schaffrick, of Barrhead, Alta., while debating one of 17 resolutions about the identification program during the Alberta Cattle Commission annual meeting.
The resolution that concerned Schaffrick called for the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency to be phased in over three years.
“We have to give a comfort zone for those who don’t feel it’s right yet,” he said.
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Carl Block, who represents the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association on the ID agency board, said the board considered a phase-in period, but instead opted for a “shotgun start” with all producers joining the program at once.
Block said the program is designed to ease international concerns by providing the ability to trace an animal back to its original herd in case of a disease outbreak. Because of that, the agency needs to be credible from the start.
Once the program begins, all cattle must be tagged with a CCIA tag with a unique number when they leave the farm or are mixed with others in a community pasture.
Packing plant operators also pushed for a quick start, because of difficulties in separating a handful of cows from every load if only a few producers tagged animals.
The resolution was defeated, as was another that called for the program to be voluntary.
“If it’s voluntary it doesn’t work,” said Darcy Davis of Acme, Alta.
“Eventually it has to be mandatory or it’s just not effective.”
Other resolutions dealt with people’s fears that cow-calf producers will be saddled with all the ear-tagging costs. They want to share the costs of a program that will benefit the entire industry.
Another resolution, which was defeated, called for the program’s name to be changed to something that identifies it as a herd health program.
“Let’s just keep our options open,” said Greg Conn of Innisfail, Alta.
The program wasn’t designed as a universal way to identify animals, but already some people are asking for it, including the RCMP.
“I have a very difficult time to see it happen and not be used to its utmost,” said Tim Woods, RCMP livestock investigator for northern Alberta.
Woods said it would make life simpler if ear tags could be used to trace a lost or stolen animal to its owner.
“Please push it forward and let’s use it for the greatest good.”
Charlie Gracey, chair of the ID agency, said its mandate was to design a program not for identification purposes but for tracing diseased animals back to their original herds.
However, he said that can change if producers desire.
“We’re only doing what we were told to do.”
Block said many producers worry if the ear tags are used to identify animals, everyone including the banks and chemical companies will want access to the database.
“We talked about it and the industry said they didn’t want it to be a proof of ownership.”
Dale Greig of Barrhead said the number of resolutions at the meetings prove there is still a lot of confusion, fear and misunderstanding among producers.
“No one is against the concept,” he said. “They feel there is a need to have something. The real concern is the implementation, the penalties and the cost of it.”
Gracey said an education campaign is needed before the program is launched Dec. 31, 2000.
“We have a tough challenge over the next twelve months to talk to 100,000 cow calf producers and convince them this is the right thing,” he said.
