When USDA announced that it was withdrawing its plans for the National Animal Identification system (NAIS), Secretary Vilsack also stated his intention to establish an Advisory Committee on Animal Health to provide input on animal ID and other topics. A coalition of organizations nominated eight individuals to the Committee, and three of our nominees have been selected to serve on the Committee:

• Judith McGeary, Executive Director of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and a diversified livestock producer from Texas
• Sandra Genell Pridgen, a 7th generation family farmer and diversified livestock producer from North Carolina
• Gilles Stockton, a range cattle and sheep rancher from Montana, and an expert in rural economic development

The appointment of these three nominees to the new Advisory Committee provides an important voice for family-scale producers! The full list of Committee members is available at:
www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2010/12/secadvcomahvs.shtml