"CICA is strictly a grassroots driven group,
as we represent private enterprise and the true
cattle
growers of Colorado."
President's Message
Greetings from Southern Colorado. As we move through the winter months, I hear varied weather reports from around the state. Western Colorado has had cold and snowy weather. East of the Rockies, the wind and warmer temperatures has caused for a shortfall in moisture.
NAIS continues to demand the attention of the CICA Board of Directors. The USDA memo issued in September signified renewed efforts to move the NAIS premises registration forward. When the Office of Management and Budget found USDA in violation of it’s own rules, federal officials were forced to take a step back. The result was the publication of new rules on January 13, 2009. The new rules would require the issuance of a NAIS premises number when the Federal Code of Regulative Disease Program is involved. They would also require the use of “840” compliant numbering systems within 1 year of implementation of the rules. At the present time, only RFID button tags and RFID dangle tags are approved for the “840” numbering system. Comments on these rules can be made until March 16, 2009 by U.S. Mail at:
Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD
APHIS Station 3A-038
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale MD 20737-1238
CICA and Totsy Rees have begun the Colorado Legislative Session for 2009 in a fast pace. Several CICA members and the Board of Directors attended the first legislative day at the Capitol. There are numerous bills on private property rights, including the railroad relocation and conservation easements. CICA is monitoring sunset reviews involving the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Brand Commission. CICA is supporting a bill to improve landowners positions on wildlife game damage claims and also watching the transportation bill, which could have a negative impact on agriculture. I am sure the list of bills that CICA will keep an eye on will get longer by May.
With the turn of the New Year, our CICA members have certainly stepped forward with a willingness to help. At the NAIS meeting in Limon, members came by the dozens to express their opposition with the proposed system and the mandatory requirements. It renews my enthusiasm when our membership steps forward to help make CICA a successful grassroots driven organization. You as members make it all worthwhile.
Spring is coming,
John Reid
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