WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a six-year battle and after losing an appeal that challenged a Trump administration proposal to mandate the use of radio frequency identification of animals in interstate commerce, R-CALF USA is asking Congress for help.
The organization has sent up the red flag to its members notifying them that in March of 2022, the USDA sent a proposed rule to mandate RFID to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final approval.
In late December 2022, R-CALF was notified the OMB had completed its review of the proposed RFID rule and the USDA now has the go-ahead to propose its rule
The organization wants Congress to stop USDA’s efforts to potentially mandate radio frequency identification ear tags.
“Here’s what we should do right now,” said Bill Bullard, R-CALF CEO, in his weekly report. “We should contact each of our members of Congress to urge them to swiftly enact legislation to effectively rein in the USDA – to stop the USDA from mandating RFID.”
He added, “If just one Senator or Representative believes the infringement by the USDA of the rights and liberties of independent cattle producers is intolerable, then we can use that congressional champion to build a congressional opposition coalition against the impending mandatory RFID proposed rule. “
RFID ear tags feature a QR code for electric identification, used as cattle are transported across state lines. R-CALF has resisted a move to RFID tags because of the expense and potentially intrusive form of animal ID.
Proponents say RFID ear tags provide time and labor savings, faster identification of diseased animals, more accurate tracking of cattle inventory, and authentication of animals.
