S O U N D O F F
August 28, 2008
While the ferris wheel is spinning at the Colorado State Fair, apparently so are the livestock numbers being cited by fair officials. The Pueblo Chieftain published an article on August 21, 2008 stating, "A controversial animal identification requirement may have kept some livestock exhibitors away from last year's Colorado State Fair, but 2008 numbers appear to be rebounding despite the increased cost of fuel and feed. Livestock categories that took a dip in overall participation last year are up for 2008, according to a six-year comparison of statistics."
While it certainly appears that the barns are full at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, a seven-year comparison of the number of exhibitors entered into the state fair shows a different picture. In fact, the number of exhibitors entering the fair has dropped by 151 since the controversial animal id requirement was implemented. I wonder if fair officials are aware that it is the exhibitors and their families that are renting rooms, eating in restaurants, buying gas and school clothes in Pueblo and not the animals.
The State Fair will cite a number of factors as to why there has been such a great drop in exhibitors. Could it be the fair running concurrently in Colorado Springs? No, they don't have a livestock show yet. Were these kids flocking to Denver in preparation for the DNC? Probably not. I can tell you that the only factor that kept our child from exhibiting at the Colorado State Fair is that we are politically and religiously opposed to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). I am still stunned that in the land of the free and the home of the brave, anyone could be prohibited from participating in a publicly-funded event because of a political or religious belief.
So, while we sit at home, we will await the outcome of the lawsuit which has been filed in the US District Court against the USDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture alleging that the National Animal Identification System violates the procedural requirements of the Federal Administrative Procedures Act, violates the procedural requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, violates the substantive requirements of the Federal Administrative Procedures Act, violates procedural, and substantive due process under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, violates the National Environmental Policy Act and violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It will be interesting to see of the NAIS is even legal.
How much money does that State of Colorado and the City of Pueblo invest in this fair each year?