January 22, 2009

VIA FAX: 301-734-5941

Tonya Woods
Freedom of Information Act Officer
USDA APHIS
4700 River Road Unit 50
Riverdale, Maryland 20737

Dear Ms. Woods:

This is a request to UDSA-APHIS in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552. By this letter, I request a copy of the documents listed below.

We request a fee waiver because these records are being requested for non-commercial use. The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance is a nonprofit organization and disclosure of the information is in the public interest. Specifically, disclosure of the documents will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of the activities of the USDA in the development and implementation of the National Animal Identification System, an issue of significant public interest.

We also request expedited processing of this request because it relates to a proposed rule whose comment period ends on March 16, 2009. The requested documents are important to our ability to comment on the proposed rule.

If there will be a charge for the documents, please contact me with an estimate before proceeding. You can reach me at Judith@FarmAndRanchFreedom.org or 512-243-9404.

Documents requested: Any and all documents relating to the costs and/or benefits of the proposed rule published by the USDA on January 13 at 74 Fed. Reg. 1634-1643, relating to official animal identification numbering systems. This request includes, but is not limited to, the documents used to perform the review under Executive Order 12866.

Sincerely,

Judith McGeary
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance