Cow directory information secret under proposed 2007 Farm Bill
A livestock directory listing the location of cows in the United States, their species, and the farmer's address and phone number would be kept secret under a proposed exemption to the Freedom of Information Act in the Senate's 2007 Farm Bill. The bill, which is scheduled for markup in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 24, would make secret information in the National Animal Identification System. If passed into law, the exemption also would override state public record laws. The bill does not explain the need for secrecy, whether it be to protect a cow's privacy or to protect cattle from terrorist threats.