Public Meeting Notice

Searcy County, Arkansas, June 7, 2008

The Arkansas Animal Producer's Association (ARAPA) is hosting a public meeting about NAIS. Dr. Max Thornsberry of R-CALF and Doreen Hannes will be speaking.

For more information, please read the flyer.

Summary as of 2/22/07

A draft bill would bar the state and local governments from requiring animal or plant producers to register their premises, secure a permit or license of production, report sales or purchases, or use electronic identification, "unless a law or rule to the contrary was in effect before January 1, 2007."

Status:

On February 23, 2007, Arkansas Representative Roy Ragland introduced THE FREEDOM TO FARM ACT, HB1761. It was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development. Please contact the committee members before March 14th and ask for their support. Committee members can be found here:

www.arkleg.state.ar.us/scripts/ablr/committees/arcommittee3afm.asp?ccode=870&user=M

HB1761 and contact information for the General Assembly can be found at:
www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Section 2-1-303 is the heart of the bill.

2-1-303. Exemption from registration and permitting.

Unless a law or rule to the contrary was in effect before January 1, 2007, for an animal producer or an unpatented plant producer to participate in any activity on or off the animal producers' premise or the unpatented plant producers' premise, including without limitation the transfer of property, a state, county, or city agency shall not require that the animal producer or an unpatented plant producer:

1. Register the animal producers' premise or the unpatented plant producers' premise;

2. Have a premises identification;

3. Secure a permit or a license for production;

4. Report sales or purchases; or

5. Use electronic identification devices on or in animals.

Grassroots activity:

Arkansas Animal Producers Association, a member of the Liberty Ark Coalition, is holding informational meetings across the state.

ARKANSAS NAIS INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS:

February 24, 2007: A NAIS informational meeting will be held at 6:30 PM at the Russellville Senior Citizen Center located at 1010 North Rochester. Speaker is Jane Williams. Sponsor is Doug Luningham (phone: 479-967-2126). The public is invited to attend.

February 27, 2007: A NAIS informational meeting for the Garland County Mounted Patrol will be held at the Sheriff's Department in Hot Springs at 7:00 PM. Jane Williams is the speaker.

March 4, 2007: The Arkansas Animal Producer's Association annual meeting will be held at the Pope County Fairgrounds, located in Russellville on Hwy. 7T, at 4:00 PM. U.S. Representative Ron Paul will discuss the NAIS. A business meeting will then be conducted. For more information contact Jane at 479-299-4334 after dark or visit
arkansasanimalproducers.8k.com. The public is invited to attend.

Hot Springs, Arkansas: January 27, 2007, at 3:00 PM at the Garland County Library located at 1427 Malvern Ave. (Malvern Ave is Hwy. 270.) The Library will be on your left 3/4 of a mile East of the Hwy. 270 and Hwy. 70 (Grand Ave.) intersection. Jane Williams is the speaker. Bill Helix is the sponsor. For more information call: 501.767.5329, or visit: http://arkansasanimalproducers.8k.com

Russellville, Arkansas: January 13, 2007 at 6:30 PM at the Senior Citizen Center located at 1010 North Rochester. Speakers are Jane Williams and Warren Phillips. For more information, call sponsors Fred and Ann Luningham at: 479.641.2406, or visit: http://arkansasanimalproducers.8k.com

Fayetteville, Arkansas: November 19, 2006, at 2:00 PM at Ozark Natural Coop, 1554 N. College Ave. Speakers are Warren Phillips and Audrey Hacker.

Yell County, Arkansas: December 2, 2006, at Fourche Valley School Gymnasium, at 6:30 PM. Fourche Valley School is located on Hwy. 28, west of Rover between Briggsville and Bluffton. Speakers are Warren Phillips and Michael Steenbergen.

Bismarck/Arkadelphia, Arkansas: December 4, 2006, at 7:00 PM at Lake DeGray Lodge. The Lodge is located in Lake DeGray State Park off of Hwy. 7. Speaker is Jane Williams.

For more information call 479-299-4334 after dark or visit: http://arkansasanimalproducers.8k.com.

Related links

Statement By Jane Williams of Bluffton, Arkansas
On Behalf of the Arkansas Animal Producer's Association
Submitted at the request of Senator Lincoln to the
United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry