Greg Niewendorp, the Michigan farmer whose land is now under quarantine because of his refusal to go along with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), wants to correct a statement I made in yesterday’s posting, in which I said civil disobedience grows out of desperation. “This isn’t a matter of desperation. I laid the ground work for this months ago.”
In other words, his decision to resist is a well planned and rational response to what he perceives as government excess.
One of his goals is to expose weaknesses and inconsistencies in the agriculture laws and regulations. For example, he believes the authorities haven’t demonstrated that bovine tuberculosis is a “contagious disease” as defined by Michigan law. He also believes the authorities haven’t demonstrated that the injection materials used to test for bovine TB are safe for the cattle, and for the ultimate meat consumers.
“I have opened the animal laws up to public scrutiny,” he says. In the process, he says, “I have exposed the emperor to be naked.”
Another of his goals is to set an example other farmers can follow. “I’m hoping others realize they can stand up to abuse.” Lots of cattlemen are upset, he says, that Michigan has made NAIS mandatory for cattle in the state, requiring that farmers provide every animal with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
Niewendorp understands that, absent support from other farmers, he may be used an example of tough government enforcement. Yet he has faith that he will receive much support. “When I continue to refuse to sign (a compliance statement), it riles people up.”
He says he is ready for the government retribution because he sees its stance as morally indefensible. “They are going to continue to threaten me. When they (agriculture regulators) come in my yard, they explain to me, ‘We are only doing our job.’ That is very dangerous, because it is the (Adolph) Eichmann response. What happened to them? They got hung.”
Niewendorp has been so focused on the intellectual and moral basis of his stand that he hadn’t considered such practicalities as providing for his legal defense. When I directed him to offers to donate to his legal bills, which have been made on nonais.org and on this site, among others, he alerted me that he and supporters are now exploring this option and will have information shortly.
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