Action Alert
February 7, 2007
Action Alert: Contact Texas Legislators
Texas Representatives have introduced two bills that would limit TAHC to a voluntary program only: HB 461 and HB 637. Remember, at this time, the TAHC has the authority to make NAIS mandatory whenever it wishes. These bills have been sent to the House Agriculture and Livestock Committee. It is important that the Committee members hear from you. Call or write all of them! Contact information is included at the bottom of this alert. A phone call is best, or a hard-copy letter. If you use email, be sure to put "National Animal ID System" in the subject line.
HB 637 includes important protections against abuse of a voluntary program, which is why the sample letter focuses on that bill. PLEASE, copy your letter to your state representative and senator as well!! If you are not sure who your legislators are, go to:
The House Committee is just the first step - if we succeed in Committee, the bill will have to be voted on by the full House, and then it will go to the Senate. So we need all of the Representatives and Senators to be informed on this issue!
A sample letter is included at the end of this alert. Remember that the bills can be amended, so if you want to see changes or additional protections, mention them in your letter. Personalize the letter for the greatest impact!
Both the Texas Farm Bureau and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association testified in favor of the bill in 2005 that gave TAHC the authority to establish a mandatory NAIS. If you are a member of Farm Bureau, TSCRA, or any other organization that supports NAIS, include a statement in your letter letting the legislators know that you don't agree with your organization's policy. And, if the organization did not inform you of both sides of the issue, or ask for your opinion on their policy, then include that fact in your letter also.
Include a "thank you" to:
Chairman Miller, for introducing HB 461;
Vice-Chair Anderson, for signing as an author of HB 637.
You can track HB 461 and HB 637 at www.capitol.state.tx.us. You can visit the State Activities page on our website, www.libertyark.net, for information on what is happening. Visit the site for more information about NAIS, including materials you can use when talking to your legislators. As always, if you have any questions, email us at noah@libertyark.net
Sample Letter
Dear Representative (or Senator) _______:
I am a _________ (small farmer, consumer of local foods, horse owner, taxpayer. Tell them a little bit about yourself and why you care about this issue). I ask that you support HB 637, which would limit the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to a truly voluntary program in Texas.
I am opposed to NAIS because it will impose heavy burdens on our rights and our economy, without providing any real benefits. NAIS is an unprecedented expansion of the government bureaucracy into people's private lives, and infringes on our property rights. Neither the U.S. Department of Agriculture nor the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has provided any scientific basis for the claims of improved disease control. Neither agency has done a cost-benefit analysis of the program, either. There are many more effective, less expensive, and less intrusive methods for improving animal health and addressing animal disease.
NAIS will drive many small and medium-size farmers and ranchers out of business and discourage people from owning horses and other livestock as pets, resulting in far-reaching effects on our economy. The only winners in this program are the microchip manufacturers, the associations that will manage the databases, and the government employees. If the federal government ultimately decides to implement NAIS, it can do so - our state should not.
Please support HB 637 when it comes before your Committee. This bill would remove the TAHC's authority to make NAIS mandatory and provide important safeguards:
- full disclosure before enrolling,
- the right to withdraw from the program, and
- a bar on conditioning any services or benefits on participation in NAIS.
This bill is critical to protecting the rights of Texans, the health of our animals, and the health of our economy.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Email if you have it
Contact information for the Committee
Mailing address for Texas Representatives: Representative _________ P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768
Phone numbers and emails of the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock:
Chair: Rep. Sid Miller: (512) 463-0628
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=59&rep=sid.miller
Vice Chair: Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson: (512) 463-0135
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=56&rep=charles.anderson
Budget & Oversight: Rep. Betty Brown: (512) 463-0458
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=4&rep=betty.brown
Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock: (512) 463-0684
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=54&rep=jimmie.aycock
Rep. Pete Gallego: (512) 463-0566
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=74&rep=pete.gallego
Rep. Juan M. Garcia: (512) 463-0672
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=32&rep=juan.garcia
Rep. Joe Heflin: (512) 463-0604
www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=85&rep=joe.heflin