The Texas Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Coastal Resources has been reviewing the following issue: “Study and determine the effectiveness of federal and state government efforts to combat intentional and unintentional harm against livestock and agricultural interests in order to protect public health. Study what is being done in other states to prevent the spread of plant and animal disease and prevent the use of terrorism to disrupt the food supply and economic activity associated with the production and delivery of food and fiber.”

The Subcommittee is holding a hearing on Wednesday, September 6 in Room E1.016 Capitol Extension, Austin, TX, starting at 10 am. Public testimony will be allowed after the invited testimony.

You can also send your comments to the Senate Suommittee on Agriculture, Rm. 455 Sam Houston Bldg., Austin, TX 78701, or faxed to 512-463-2293.

You should send a copy of your comments to your local State Representative and State Senator as well. You can find their names and contact information at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm

Whether you submit comments in writing or come to the meeting to testify, you will be most effective if you propose alternatives to the NAIS that will protect agriculture. A sample letter is provided below. Personalize your comments and provide your own arguments and facts in support. The Senators will pay little attention to form letters, so it is critical that your letter be based on your experiences and ideas.

The Subcommittee has sought input from several organizations, including FARFA.  If you belong to an organization that supported HB 1361, and you arent in favor of NAIS, it is important to let the Subcommittee know that the organization is not representing all its members!

Working together, we can make our voices heard!

Judith McGeary
Executive Director
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
8308 Sassman Rd
Austin, Texas 78747
(512) 243-9404
(866) 687-6452 Toll Free
www.farmandranchfreedom.org

Sample letter: Use this sample to help you write your own, individualized letter, rather than simply sending a form letter!

Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources
Rm. 455 Sam Houston Bldg.
Austin, TX 78701
Fax: 512-463-2293

Dear Senators:

I am writing to encourage you to focus the state’s efforts to combat harm to agricultural interests on measures that provide the greatest protection for the least cost and least burden on individuals’ rights. Implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), including mandatory premises registration, is not such a measure.

I am a __________ (farmer, taxpayer, restaurant owner, etc. Tell them your background or key interests in 2-3 sentences)

I am also a member of the Texas rm Bureau/ Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association/ Texas Cattle Feeders’ Association, and I do not agree with the position that my association has taken on this issue.

I urge the Subcommittee to stop implementation of a mandatory state version of the NAIS. If the Legislature supports a voluntary program, it should include protections to guarantee full and informed consent by those who enroll, including the opportunity to withdraw from the program in the future.

Even with respect to a voluntary program, the Texas Legislature should consider the pros and cons of a state version of the NAIS on its own merits, not based on the possibility that there might be a federal program one day. As a voter, I expect the Texas legislators to be accountable for their decisions and not to shift the blame to the federal government for state legislation and regulations.

The NAIS is not an effective means of addressing threats to our agriculture. The proponents have providdonly unsupported claims of the benefits of this far-reaching program that would apply to every person who owns even one livestock animal. There has been no evaluation of the different levels of risks posed by different types of facilities. Nor has there been any assessment of the costs of this program, both direct and indirect. The NAIS represents an unprecedented expansion of the government bureaucracy into people’s private lives, and infringes on our property and privacy rights, without providing significant benefits to animal health.

The government’s and individuals’ limited resources would be better spent on others measures to protect agriculture in Texas. The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report last year that set out several priorities for the federal government’s efforts, which are applicable to the state government as well. The Subcommittee should consider the following issues:
o Improving training for veterinarians in recognizing foreign nial diseases;
o Encouraging the use of rapid diagnostic tools in the field; and
o Increasing inspections of animals and agricultural products entering Texas.

The Subcommittee should also consider measures to enhance animal owners’ ability to prevent and address animal disease. Educational programs could enable animal owners to make better management decisions, both as to how to prevent disease and how to recognize when a veterinarian’s aid is needed. Communication between the TAHC and the public can be improved by means of a voluntary email alert system that does not require the individual to provide personal information.

Thank you for your time. Protecting agriculture is of great importance to all Texans, whether directly involved in agriculture or not, and I appreciate the opportunity to share my views with the Subcommittee.

Sincerely,

Your name
City, Texas