Rally held against EID requirements 

On Oct. 7, cattle producers gathered in South Dakota for the Livestock Producers’ Freedom Rally, and more joined online.

The event united producers from nine states opposing the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s rule mandating electronic identification (EID) eartags for adult cattle crossing state lines. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY-At large) led the rally, warning that the mandate could push small, independent producers out of business.

A petition drive, www.StopMandatoryEID.com, was launched in opposition to the EID mandate.

Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) USA and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association also announced plans to sue USDA over the mandate.