HEAVY HAND OF THE CFIA---UPDATE

[SADIE]

phone calls are coming in across western Canada offering support to me after reading the May 20 issue pg 75.

The amazing comments keep repeating themselves. Trouble with RFID tags especially the Allflex brand. Either CCIA or the manufacturer have replaced 50 -75 tags time and time again telling the party that "you are one of the first to have problems". The poor quality tags that keep breaking apart seem to have been going on for some time now and Allflex has been able to keep a lid on the problem. Allflex has 90 % of the marketshare. I have heard two complaints from Ytex tags now also.

I hope those that read the Western Producer see MR. STEVE PRIMROSE'S comments that tags are 99.99 % retention. I am working on a group email to the CCIA at this time Demanding Mr. Primrose's Resignation from the CCIA immediately.

He will be at the hearing on June 15 & 16 under Oath.

[SADIE]

phone calls are coming in across western Canada offering support to me after reading the May 20 issue pg 75.

The amazing comments keep repeating themselves. Trouble with RFID tags especially the Allflex brand. Either CCIA or the manufacturer have replaced 50 -75 tags time and time again telling the party that "you are one of the first to have problems". The poor quality tags that keep breaking apart seem to have been going on for some time now and Allflex has been able to keep a lid on the problem. Allflex has 90 % of the marketshare. I have heard two complaints from Ytex tags now also.

I hope those that read the Western Producer see MR. STEVE PRIMROSE'S comments that tags are 99.99 % retention. I am working on a group email to the CCIA at this time Demanding Mr. Primrose's Resignation from the CCIA immediately.

He will be at the hearing on June 15 & 16 under Oath.

[grassfarmer]

I'm closer to Steve's view than yours SADIE but the claim of 99.99% is ridiculous unless it was taken out of context.
We have been very happy with the Allflex tags - we have never had one break or come apart. The very odd one we lose always tears out of the ear. One thing I never see mentioned is the # lost due to frozen ears. I've seen a few calves around that would be tagged at birth into frozen ears and later lost the tag.
I spoke to my vet on this issue last week and he felt the retention rates were very high. Proof of the quality of the tag/retention in his opinion was the fact that the buffalo guys can keep them in pretty well.

[SADIE]

Just got a call from a buffalo guy at Conguest two days ago. He got his fine after shipping a goup to Winkler Manitoba. He had a high percentage drop out before shipping. He is going the tribunal route as well. Blog the system and drag CFIA through the court rooms. THere are now 6 people going that route instead of paying the monetary fine.

See you in Saskatoon GF on June 15 and 16. You might learn alot. I know I will.

[ProFarmer]

I have used most ccia tags and all are faulty.The CCIA people are just a bunch of mean pencilpushing idiots.When taggs fall out because of the back button failing there should be so recourse.

[grassfarmer]

"The CCIA people are just a bunch of mean pencilpushing idiots." Really? I thought CFIA were the enemy here. CCIA was an industry led initiative wasn't it?

[SADIE]

Thanks for the information Pro Farmer.

The calls keep coming in on problems with RFID tags. Made the trip today putting up posters down through Moose Jaw over to Chaplin. Met a rancher who contacted me over the May 20 Western Producer Article Pg 75. He put 150 RFID tags in his cow-herd in 2009. In one year he replaced 65 RFID tags (alflex Brand). I got the tags and a statement from him. He will be on the witness stand. I got the bag of buttons and Female components. The Male studs are all broke around the centre of the studs. Allflex rep replaced him with 75 buttons and new pliers and asked him to keep it quiet. Don't let CCIA know about it.

I have 9 contacts already having fautly RFID tags responding to the producer article. Some from each brand showing concerns. HOW CAN WE HAVE TRACEABILITY WHEN THERE IS NO QUALITY SERIAL NUMBER THAT WE CAN PUT ON THE ANIMAL.

VERY VERY evident that this is a short term tag at the very best.

Presently building the emails of all CCIA board directors and preparing an email asking for QUALITY CONTROL on all RFID TAGS before the system goes forward.

Working on this story getting on two radio talk shows now.