Ranchers are sounding the alarm over an earmark to fund electronic cattle tracking in the omnibus bill passed by the House on Wednesday.
In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a rule mandating radio-frequency identification ear tags (EID) in American cattle and bison. While this rule is not yet law, Wednesday’s omnibus increases preemptive funding should this rule be implemented.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) updated his X followers as he went through the $460 billion spending bill and called attention to the $15 million included to implement electronic identification ear tags in American cattle.
The related text reads: “The agreement directs the Department to continue to provide the tag and related infrastructure needed to comply with the Federal Animal Disease Traceability rule, including no less than $15,000,000 for electronic identification (EID) tags and related infrastructure needed for stakeholders to comply with the proposed rule, ‘Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison,’ should that rule be finalized.”
Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) has been a leader in the pushback against EID. She said mandatory tracking sets a dangerous precedent and burdens independent producers. “We have a robust, effective animal identification and traceability system in place that works,” she said. “The primary supporters of this rule are the four big packers, two of which are owned by Brazil and one of whom is owned by China, and the eartag manufacturing companies. This rule raises serious privacy concerns for our independent ranchers.”
She cited Ireland as an example. “Last year, Ireland mandated EID ear tags. Today, just one year later, there are an untold number of reports they must file with the government. Ireland is now considering killing off 1.3 million head of cattle to reach their ‘climate targets.’ Their EID mandate will help them carry out this slaughter.”
On the other side of the argument, some ranchers say EID is vital to disease tracking and ensuring the viability of independent producers.
“EID is a good thing,” says Jessica Wells, who works in the agriculture industry in Florida. “It’s a tool that’s a huge help for farmers and ranchers. If we had a disease outbreak EID would help us stop it in its tracks and keep the beef industry moving versus having no starting point which is where we are now. We don’t want to be vertically integrated, we want to be independent, so we need to work with the government to some extent.”
Gene Lollis, vice president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, was quoted supporting the program in BEEF Magazine. “We know there is a need for the beef industry to have a program. Now we must sort out the details.”
Industry groups are also divided on the issue. In February, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA) passed a resolution supporting the adoption and implementation of mandatory EID. Both R-CALF USA and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) continue to side with ranchers using any type of tracking or tracing identification system they prefer on a voluntary basis.
