This summer, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) adopted a rule requiring all adult cattle (over the age of 18 months) to be officially identified with an ear tag. FARFA objected to the proposal on several grounds, including lack of statutory authority and the agency’s flawed assumptions about the costs of the proposal. But the agency adopted the rule without any exemptions, and it will go into effect on January 1, 2013.

TAHC is now proposing a narrow exemption that would allow TAHC personnel to exempt beef cattle presented for sale at a livestock market if it is determined that the animal’s physical condition makes the handling required to apply permanent identification unsafe or injurious in nature; the cattle must then be sold to go directly to slaughter. FARFA has submitted comments urging that the exemption be broadened to include all cattle being sold to go directly to slaughter and to not be dependent on the discretion of agency personnel. Read our comments here.

The agency is accepting public comment until Monday, November 12, 2012 at 5 pm. Comments should be submitted to Carol Pivonka, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758, or by fax at (512) 719-0721, or by e-mail at comments@tahc.state.tx.us.