http://www.squidoo.com/amishrfid/

Mark of the Beast
RFID Chips, (radio frequency identification) are a very controversial subject for any reason. For the Amish, however, this technological development is extremely alarming. In the normal course of living, they avoid technologies as much as they can. However, numbering themselves, or their animals, to them is the 'mark of the beast,' something they cannot cooperate with under any circumstances. In two states, Wisconsin and Indiana, the voluntary national program, NAIS, has been made compulsory at the state level. The Amish have opposed cooperating with the states in chipping their animals, feeling that it is only a matter of time before the government chips humans. This lense is about this challenge facing the Amish, and us.


RFID Chips being Forced on Amish Community
Indiana Amish resisting government chipping program
Concerned Amish Farmers Bring this to My Attention.

The Indiana Amish community has been informed by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health that they are required to participate in a 3 phase process which will, at the second phase, put RFID chips in each of their animals.

The 3 phases are:
1. Premise identification.
2. Animal identification (when chips will be implanted in the animals)
3. Animal tracking.

In documents dated June 30, 2006, Jennifer Greiner, DVM, informs the small farmers that effective September 1, 2006, enrollment in the program will be MANDATORY, and all farm animals, defined as cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, and captive deer or elk, must be entered into the electronic database.

This is phase one, which informs the government exactly how many animals of each kind are on what properties.

Phase two is where the RFID chips will be implanted in each animal. While chipping horses, poultry or pets is 'voluntary,' it is strongly encouraged.

Phase three is animal tracking, for the purposes of documenting animal movements, origins of birth, point of sale.

The purposes of this program are for 'disease identification' and "will help to reduce trade barriers for greater market access,as demand for source-verified meat increases in the United States and worldwide."

In the question and answer section:

"Q. Reports say you're going to charge $1,000 a day for not participating!

A. Although BOAH (Board of Animal Health) does have the authority to impose non-compliance penalties, that is certainly not the goal. BOAH is encouraging producers to have their premises registered prior to the September 1 deadline: nevertheless, if producers arenot registered in time, BOAH staff will make an effort to identify unregistered users and help them become part of the program."

The Amish farmers I spoke with said, "if they are going to do this to our animals, its just a matter of time before they put them in people."

The Amish have historically and consistently resisted certain government impositions that violate their religious convictions. In this case, the principle to be 'no part of the world' looks like it may be one of the greatest challenges for the Amish community that they have yet experienced.

Sept. 15, 06 Margaret Schaut
Government Answers (in 3 parts)
Board of Animal Health Responds to Squidoo Article
Ms. Greiner from the Indiana Board of Animal Health was kind enough to read and comment on the article below, dated Sept 15, 06. Her comments were given to the Amish community for their response.

Ms. Greiner writes: "while the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a three-phase program, Indiana has passed a legal requirement only for Phase 1, or premise identification. Phases Two and Three (animal ID and animal tracking) are not part of Indiana's law, nor are they required. Animal owners may choose to participate in those programs if they wish. This includes any requirement for RFID chips."

One Amish Farmer, Mr. Y, said "that's not the horse I am hitching my cart to. The road has been set, and while the destination may take some time to get to, its a place we're not going to go if we can help it."

It has been written into the law that there is $1,000 PER DAY fine possible, which has the effect of hanging a Damocles Sword over the head of these farmers. This is for the phase 1 of the program. Ms. Greiner answers: "the $1000 per day penalty rumor is still floating around. The document from which you pulled that quote is intended to counter rumors with the facts. The fact is: September 1 has come and gone, and BOAH has not started any action to fine anyone for noncompliance. Instead, our staff is working diligently to help producers register in the program and do what is best for Indiana agriculture."

There is no reason to doubt Ms. Greiner's statement. As resistance from the Amish, and other farmers, grows, the potential for fining resisters will also grow, according to the belief of these Amish farmers. The Amish community is a law-abiding community and tries to cooperate whenever possible so as to contribute peace and order to the states where they live. They already see a limit to their cooperation with the progression of this program.

For now, phases 2(chipping)and 3(tracking)are voluntary. Once all animals and premises are registered in the electronic database, the second phase will be implemented. During the intervening period, additional legislation will be passed, likely taking into account the difficulties the BOAH has had in bringing in dissenters. If half of the small farmers and all of the Amish farmers have volunteered NOT to participate, the Amish are sure that the pressure will be stepped up in the second phase legislation.

Continued
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