"Plan B" Failure & Animal Traceability

“Plan B” Failure & Animal Traceability plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Last Thursday, Speaker Boehner’s “Plan B” crashed and burned on Capital Hill and by Friday morning the rats were deserting the ship...well at least the members of Congress were headed home for the holiday. On completing any kind of legislation to solve the fiscal cliff Speaker Boehner said that "How we get there, God only knows."

Also last week saw the USDA introduce their animal traceability rule. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.

VILSACK: First, it’s going to help us move quickly to identify where diseased and “at risk” animals are. As well as which animals do not need to be held or tested during a disease investigation. Second, it’s going to reduce the number of locations affected and the number of animals tested meaning that there will be less cost to producers and to the government. So we’re not looking to provide only a flexible system but one that helps to maintain the economic vitality of our producers and businesses.

Well it is Christmas Eve and with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

We bought a Christmas gift for our son’s family’s dog. Does that make us “animal rights” people? Probably not, because even though Lady is a sweet dog and I’m sure she will love the bacon flavored snacks, it’s more about bringing a smile to her owners’ faces. This does bring up the quandary about what separates animal rights people from animal welfare people? Animal welfare is about the humane treatment of animals - the belief that animals used to serve human needs, or animals enjoyed as pets should be kept in such a way that basic needs for food, health, and shelter are met. Animal rights activists believe that animals have the same rights as humans, should be allowed to live their lives on their terms, and should not be used for any purpose which serves humanity, including being owned as pets. So before you label yourself as an animal rights supporter you might want to check out exactly what it is your purporting to support, especially if you can’t imagine a world without guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue dogs, police horses and dogs, or that furry little critter curled up in your lap that you like to think of as your “best friend”.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.