Venting - WA DEPT OF AG BITES

[KKluckers]

pips&peeps :

I'm so irritated right now.

I have been trying to get the State back to my place to recertify my farm for NPIP, but I have been just getting the run around. Apparently some fool mistook the money the Feds gave the State for Avian Infuenza testing for money for the NPIP program and now it is all gone.

I have been told that there is no money left and that there will be no further testing until next year sometime. Another flock owner was told that we were all given a six month continuence on the program.

Well, Federal Regulations say that I must be retested or I am no longer a participant period, no ifs, ands or buts.

The State also had a huge "gung ho" deal last year where they initiated a new law stating birds moving in or out, or going to show must be from a NPIP participating flock or have a vet certificate in the last 90 days.

Well, according to that, if I want to sell anymore hatching eggs anytime soon, I will have to get a vet certificate on all my hens since I won't have my NPIP certification......... How feasible is that???????

In other words, the State is now condoning breaking the law and shipping eggs, birds, etc without certification.

Anyway, I'm peeved and even called the Director's Office of The WA State Dept of AG and told them about it. I told them I was more concerned that the State Vet's Office was promoting breaking the law since they ran out of funds.

I've even called the Federal NPIP guy and he hasn't been able to get ahold of anyone to get this straightened out and he says I am right. You must be retested annually to remain a participant.

I really dislike *some* government workers...............

I was going to email you back. I have been so busy helping my goat birth. Anyways, I havent heard a thing and have basically given up. I lost the number to the federal guy can you PM me with that agian......I have a few things to tell him

about how the state vet in this state runs the program. Talk about a bunch of BS.

How unrealistic for them to say it is okay to break the law. When it comes down to it *we* are breaking it not the state NPIP program.......really not fair at all. She said she was getting funds in February and I put myself down for that date give or take. Mark that lives in Ellensburg is a tester, but she rather drive all the way over here than have Mark drive 30 minutes to test my birds. Just dont make since. I even asked them about teaching people to become testers. Than that way you can test your own flock and send it in. Thats what quite a few other states do.​

 

[EweSheep]

Oh jeez, you certainly dont want to be on their black ball list!

I hope things resolved very soon! Nothing worse than not having an NPIP papers on hand.

I still see folks (even myself) non NPIP still shipping birds and nothing has been said about needing NPIP papers. Go figure!

 

[pips&peeps]

Well, I e-mailed Mark today, did you see what happened in post #4.

If someone sends out birds with a disease, do you think they are going to back them up and say we told them they were ok to continue with their business? I don't think so.

 

[EweSheep]

Hope you will find an answer from Mark....

I know all of my birds are from NPIP breeders and flocks so therefore, I havent done much shipping for the last two years when NPIP was a hotbed here in Ilinois. However I do get birds from NPIP breeders and I do demand NPIP papers just to save my butt and birds particularly in East and West coasts.

I've been trying to get an NPIP tester here but they said they didnt get any money because of the state cut backs. UGH! I can only go to poultry 4H shows to get them tested. I will ask my aviary vet and see if he can do the tests himself and send them off for papers. Not sure how he can do it but he does work with zoo animals and pets. I am certain he knows of the protocol.

 

[pips&peeps]

If the State would let us citizens become certified testers, there would not be a big problem with costs.

The antigen for the newest test can be bought online and if there is a "reactor" it only costs .75 cents per test and a $10.00 accession fee to do an ELISA test with the State.

We could cover our own costs.

 

[iajewel]

You said the magic words.. VIC, or vet in charge.. Every program that the USDA has superseding legislation right now on NAIS is doing this. They are closing out programs and making people get vet inspections.. when you do this you will have an automatic premise ID, with out your knowledge.. its an across the board scam to get premise IDs up and people in the system.. you may want to confront them with this.
Ask and get in writting that any vet inspection will not automaticly register your premise or put your name and property into a data base used for that.
Its going on everywhere.

 

[pips&peeps]

I currently have a premise ID with WA State only. I filled out a form that gave me the option of opting out of the USDA.

I have kept a copy of it in case the State does hand over my info, but I am sure that the USDA already has info on me through NPIP.

 

[iajewel]

who told you that you can "opt out" of the premise ID program if you have a premise ID? Its nation wide.. Yes you are registered in your state.. if you have a premise ID.. then you have a premise not a proprty.. I think you need to find out what you did.. as you don't have the option to not have a premise with the USDA, and yet have a premise ID.. someone is lying to you..

Below is a link to some articles that may help you figure it out.

http://www.newswithviews.com/Hannes/doreenA.htm
If you want to actually "opt out' i have the paper work to help you do that if you like.

J

 

[dlhunicorn]

hit the contact button at the link below and lay out your situation to them... coverage might deliver some solutions for you?
http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytoday/news/20080424/220709.shtml

 

[waynesgarden]

pips&peeps :

...I e-mailed one of the "regional" state vets today to ask him if he was a certified tester and apparently I am on a "black ball" list....

Don't see where that email said anything about you being put on a "black ball list." What makes you think that you are?

States are running out of money as a result of the economic mess this country has gotten intself into. States do not have the unlimited ability to borrow and spend as the Federal Government has been. Programs like this are going to rightfully go to the bottom of the priority list as far as funding goes when other concerns such as keeping people fed and warm or the roads passable this winter, take center stage. It doesn't make life easy for folks who rely on these programs but I think we are all going to find programs or services we have gotten used to having available seriously cut back.

Wayne​