NAIS-I talked to my representative....

[OD]

I had a long talk with my State Representative (face to face) today, & found out a lot of things that I didn't know about.

Since Texas is the largest cattle producer in the US, the fed decided to start their NAIS with us, & we were to be an example for the rest of the country. Texas was told that if it wasn't passed, there would be no cattle leaving the state, & the cattle industry here would be ruined.

Texas Farm Bureau, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assoc., & several other groups were supporting it whole heartedly, & there was little or no opposition at the time that the Legislature voted it in. He told me that at the time, it was assumed to be only for commercial meat producers, & there was only one vote against it. So it was turned over to the TAHC to draft the final rules.

He said all that is left to be done is for the TAHC to vote on it, but he said that he as well as many other members of the Legislature are very much opposed to the rules as they now stand, & are urging them to reconsider.

I asked him what would happen if TAHC didn't reconsider; would there be anything else that could be done? He said that if that should happen, they could pass laws against individual rules that they felt were unreasonable.

I told him that a LOT of people are extremely concerned about this, & he said that he knows, because he "reads the blogs".

The last thing he told me was to "keep making noise", & I told him that we will, & it will keep getting louder.

The TAHC is our enemy, whether you live in Texas or not. If it passes here, you can expect more of the same in your state.

They need to hear from us at every opportunity. They need to know that we will not accept this kind of oppression.

[phrogpharmer]

There are probably more illegal Mexicans in Texas than there are cattle. I don't understand why the government wants to force us to register our legal animals for "tracking purposes" when so little effort is made to register, track, or control illegal aliens. Maybe if we can keep our "illegal" animals under the radar for six years they'll get a free pass like President Bush wants to do with the illegal aliens.
I welcome all legal immigrants to the United States, my grandfather was an honest, hard working, legal immigrant from Mexico, and a US Army veteran of WW1.

[ladycat]

Originally Posted by OD

I had a long talk with my State Representative (face to face)

Is it OK for us to know his/her name? I just like to know who's for and who's against.

[OD]

My representative is Mark Homer of Paris.
I also called the district office of my state senator, Kevin Eltife, of Tyler. I didn't talk to him, but the person that I talked to said that he wants changes made to protect the small farmers & back yard animal owners.
Anyone that would like the names & phone numbers of their legislators can get the info here, by typing in their address.
I think you can get better results by calling the district offices than by calling the offices at the Capitol.
I just found this . Very encouraging.....

[OD]

Originally Posted by phrogpharmer

Maybe if we can keep our "illegal" animals under the radar for six years they'll get a free pass like President Bush wants to do with the illegal aliens.

That would be nice, but I wouldn't count on it. Our animals probably couldn't protest loud enough.

[kesoaps]

the fed decided to start their NAIS with us, & we were to be an example for the rest of the country. Texas was told that if it wasn't passed, there would be no cattle leaving the state, & the cattle industry here would be ruined.

I spoke with the senator who chairs the ag committee here in WA, and she said the same thing. Well...that we wouldn't be able to do any trade with our neighboring states. I told her Texas was beating it down, but she countered with 'we need to be able to export to ID, OR and our other neighbors.' In any case, she's obvioulsy been fed the same bull that Texas has, except she's thinking it's a good thing (I'm betting she's operating out of fear of loosing some of her cattle trading opporunities!)

[Pony]

A fewe weeks ago, I was noodling around Senator Barak Obama's site (he's the Golden Child of the State of IL), and decided to write him re: NAIS, because he also seems to have concerns about government intrusion.

Here's the response I got today:


Thank you for contacting me about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). I have asked ranking officials in the Agriculture Department about your concerns. As citizens and legislators, we must closely examine any proposed government regulations which intrude on our privacy and raise the costs of business or hobbies. I understand your objections and the burden that compliance with the NAIS may place on small operators.

The NAIS is meant to help track the spread of animal diseases or zoonotic illneses so that public health officials can better respond to them. If not contained quickly, these diseases can kill many animals and humans as well. Avian flu, carried and transmitted mostly by poultry, is perhaps the most significant infectious disease threat that America and the world face today. No cases of avian flu have been reported in America yet, but we must remain vigilant in case this disease reaches our shores. A national tracking system is an important part of our Avian flu defense.

I agree that the Animal ID program, however, must also firmly safeguard privacy and should emphasize disease tracking. While I do not serve on the Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over the NAIS, I will keep your concerns in mind if this matter comes before the full Senate for consideration. You also can be sure that I will work to ensure privacy safeguards in my communications with the Department of Agriculture on this issue.

I appreciate your taking the time to write, and I hope you will continue to communicate with me during my time as your United States Senator.


Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

[OD]

Originally Posted by Pony

these diseases can kill many animals and humans as well.

There is one of the things that bother me the most about this whole thing. Once they get all the animals chipped, & get us used to doing what we are told, the next thing you know, there will be some terrible disease that requires humans to be chipped. (Just to keep us safe, of course.)

[BillyGoat]

I think Texas is just being nicy, nicy right now.(Yes, I live in Tx.)

If those 3 biggies are 'for' the NAIS, that is alot of power right there!!

Makes me mad that Farm Bureau is for it. That is who we have coverage on our autos and bothe homes(which includes our future homestead).

There is suppose to be voting, but they are "using blackmail" by making threats that no cattle will cross the state lines!!!

Also, you hear very little here about any voting times or meetings on NAIS, it is pretty well kept under wraps. Then they wonder why there is no opposition!