National ID System Opposed

Monday, March 12th 2007, 7:04 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Livestock owners, small farmers and environmentalists rally Monday at the state Capitol in opposition to a national animal identification system. Spokesmen for the group of about 50 called for action on legislation by State Representative Wallace Collins of Norman that would prevent Oklahoma farmers and ranchers from being required to join the system.

Wallace's bill has been sidelined in a state House committee, but he says he will try to revive it as an amendment to other legislation.

The National Animal Identification System is billed by state and federal agriculture officials as a voluntary program to counter the outbreak of disease in livestock.

But speakers at the rally argued it has been designed by big meat-producing companies to control the food supply and squeeze out small producers.