PREMISES REGISTRATION PUT ON HOLD

August 15, 2006
--ACTION STILL NEEDED - Come to the hearing in Montpelier this THURSDAY 8/17!!!

Today, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture announced that the Premises Registration Rulemaking will be "put on hold" because of potential confidentiality breeches with the National Database (see press release, below). The Agency reported that they are looking into whether farms that have already registered for the "voluntary" premises registration program and whose information had been forwarded to the National Animal Identification System database could get out of the national program. Secretary Kerr reported that they were awaiting word on this from the General Counsel, which they hoped to get later today.

Meanwhile, two more hearings were held today in Middlebury and Williston. THANK YOU to all who turned out for the hearings. Secretary Kerr was present at both hearings and made the announcement that the rulemaking would be put on hold. However, upon further questioning, it became clear that the Agency would still like to go forward with some type of Premises Registration program, and the only question is how to keep the information protected from Freedom of Information Act requests. According the Agency officials, the hearings in Randolph and Montpelier will still be held, and comments will still be collected. However, the additional evening hearings that had been in the works have now been cancelled.

ACTION IS STILL NEEDED TO STOP PREMISES REGISTRATION
Because the rulemaking is "on hold," it can be taken back up at any time. Here's what YOU CAN DO to STOP THIS RULEMAKING completely:

1) COME TO MONTPELIER on Thursday, August 17th to testify at the public hearing. Rural Vermont will be giving a "mini" workshop on the rule and how to give effective testimony at 12 NOON at Christ Church (across from the Post Office). Bring your lunch and quarters for parking. BREAD & PUPPET will also be performing a circus on the Statehouse Lawn at Noon.

2) WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. Write a letter stating what you think about this rulemaking and urge people to stay involved in the process! You can find all of the contact information for weekly and daily papers at www.ruralvermont.org/getinvolved.html (scroll halfway down the page).

3) SPREAD THE WORD. Let your friends and neighbors know that this rulemaking is not yet completely stopped, and urge them to stay involved. Stay up to date at www.ruralvermont.org or by calling 802-223-7222.

PRESS RELEASE - Vermont Agency of Agriculture
For Immediate Release
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Media Contact:
Mark Bosma, VT Agency of Agriculture, 802-828-3829

Premises Registration Proposal On Hold

Vermont Agriculture Secretary Steve Kerr is putting the process of adopting new rules that would make premises registration mandatory in Vermont on-hold. The decision comes after receiving information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture concerning the confidentiality of data collected.
"USDA had promised us complete confidentiality at every step of this process," Kerr said. "Now we have reason to believe that may not be the case. Without 100% confidentiality, we will not be sending any information on Vermont farms to the USDA database."
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture has been drafting the rules mandating premises registration as a tool to help contain an outbreak of animal disease. The Agency simply needs to know where the animals are should a disease like BSE, Avian Influenza, or Exotic Newcastle strikes. That process will continue once the issue of where to keep the database is settled.
The Agency of Agriculture has been hosting hearings and educational sessions on the proposed new premises registration rules over the past month. Meetings that had already been scheduled will continue with an emphasis on education. Special evening hearings for those who couldn't attend during the day will be postponed until the official process re-starts.
"Educating the public on how to keep their animals and themselves safe is a critical part of these meetings," Kerr said. "We want these forums to continue so we can share that valuable information and answer any questions the public may have on biosecurity."
Through Vermont's voluntary premises registration program, about 300 local farms have supplied their name, location, and types of animals housed there. Kerr has written to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns (letter is attached) to seek absolute assurances that the database is secure. Failing that, Kerr has asked that USDA give Vermont farms already on the database the option of having their information removed.
"It is still highly unlikely that this information would ever get out, and if it did it isn't much more than you could obtain by just opening a phone book," Kerr said. "However, the Agency of Agriculture and the farmers were assured that this information would be secure, and we need to know that it is."
For more information contact,
Agency of Agriculture Public Information Officer Mark Bosma at 802-828-3829.

Schedule of remaining hearings:
August 15, 2006 -American Legion Hall – Middlebury - 9:30-11:30
August 15, 2006 - Williston Town Hall - Williston- 1:00-3:00
August 17, 2006 -Vermont Technical College -Langevin Building (room 103)- Randolph 9:30-11:30
August 17, 2006- Pavilion Building – Montpelier 1:00-3:00

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