Quote:
"Why should I care?" Now that is a good question. The answer is you should care if you own chickens or care about someone who does. Since you and others are on a site called, "Backyard Chickens", I would think it is safe to assume that one or both of the above applies.
As for having the time to make the effort involved, I can fully relate. And just so you know that I can relate, let me give you a small idea of what I mean. I am self-employed and just made the first placement in over a year. So, in other words, I made ZERO money last year. I was also separated for a full year and had to not only put in extra time at work to try to make some money but then take care of this place and myself all by myself. Rather than make a list, let me just put it this way. Just imagine everything that you do, and then everything that your spouse does and then picture yourself doing it all.
So, what's my point? The point is simply this. We all have the same amount of time - 24/7. It's not a matter of time, it's a matter of priorities. What Greg and I are basically saying is if you are sick and tired of the Government heaping more tax burdens on us folks to find a way to fund their frivolous projects, then make this a priority. And if you're sick and tired of the Government regulating every single thing under the sun and taking away your freedoms, then make this a priority.
If you don't want to make it a priority, that's certainly your perogative. Just don't come back and complain later about how the Government is taking over your farm.
As for trying to be a bit more educational, here is a link that covers all there is to cover:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/petregs.aspx
Lastly, I'll just say this, last year I did make a post about public hearings that were going to take place to pass a new law regarding NPIP. NPIP stands for "National Poultry Improvement Program". Just the title alone ought to tell someone why they should care about that. Moreover however, one must be NPIP certified in order to ship birds out of the state. Well, very little input was received and the new law was passed which now requires a person to pay $80/hr for the State Vet to come out and test your birds. Ah, but you say, "That ain't so bad." Maybe, but the clock starts running from the time the Vet gets in his car at Olympia to the time he arrives to your farm, plus 30 minutes of prep beforehand, two and a half hours to test your birds, 30 minutes clean up afterwards, and then stops when he gets out of his car back at Olympia. For most of us, that just ain't going to happen.
So, we can't ship chicks out of state now. Anybody who's been on BYC for any length of time knows that prevents us from helping others who might like some of our chicks. Ah, but you say, "Well I don't ship chicks anyway. Why should I care?" Do you sell eggs? How long do you think it's going to be before some brain child in Olympia gets the bright idea that folks selling eggs need to be NPIP certified? Or in order to have a small backyard flock you have to be NPIP certified? Don't think it can happen? Maybe you should know that the State of WA gets Federal Funding for NPIP as long as it's PT free. One outbreak of PT will cause them to lose their Federal Funding. Now which do you think they care about more - your personal freedoms and right to have a backyard flock or them getting their Federal Funding?
Someone once said, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." That might be true but I'd have to add that those on the road are pushed along by apathy. There's enough political clout on this one site that if the word got out and everyone would just make three calls - one to the State, and two to a couple of their friends - this kind of stuff would come to a screeching halt.
I, for one, am sick and tired of the Government encroaching on every single aspect of my life and laying one tax after another on me to simply help them grow into more of a monstrosity than they already are. So, I've made my call and sent my email, and let my voice be heard. Hopefully there will be more that will do the same.
And that's about as educational as I can be.
God Bless,
