A recent article in the Farm Bureau's FarmWeek publication again reported the Illinois Department of Agriculture's decision to begin implementation of the USDA's National Animal Identification System.

The article explained the IDOA was "committed" to implementing the National Animal Identification System despite considerable disapproval by the public.

The absurdity - and enormity - of the program is evidenced by the fact that our local 4-H youth will be required to register their backyards as agricultural "premises" with the federal government simply because they house a pony or rabbit. The next phases of NAIS are animal identification and animal tracing by database.

The National Animal Identification System will affect all livestock owners, whether farmers or hobbyists or children, and includes species not usually thought of as livestock, such as equine and rabbits.

The Illinois Farm Bureau opposes a mandatory animal identification system. Animal owners should become informed about this intrusive, burdensome program.

This action has made clear the ability of government bureaucrats to circumvent the legislative process. All taxpayers should ask their legislators to put a halt to this costly program.

Teresa Casselman

Bloomington