I got the following reply from my state senator in Austin, Jane Nelson. I wanted to bump this up again, so that ALL Of us on this board can bombard Cornyn and Kay Bailey as well as your Rep in Congress with info and our thoughts/opinions on why this isn't needed. Getting the TAHC to postpone etc is great but unless this changes on a national level our freedom of movement with our animals is most likely going to be very hampered. Also- every senator in austin voted in favor of HB1361. Only one rep in the house voted No. I'll get his name later.
Jane Nelson wrote:
Thank you for your e-mail regarding House Bill 1361 (78R), authorizing the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to institute livestock identification consistent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Identification System (NAIS). I understand your concerns and appreciate your sharing your thoughts on this issue.
Discussion of state rules to implement HB 1361 was postponed by the TAHC until further notice, but the deadlines for registering premises will not be affected. You may contact the agency at (800) 550-8242 or via its website,
www.tahc.state.tx.us, for additional information. You may also obtain more information about the federal NAIS program via TAHC's website or by contacting your federal representatives under whose jurisdiction this program lies. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn and Representative Michael Burgess as follows:
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison U.S. Senator John Cornyn
(214) 361-3500 (972) 239-1310
(214) 361-3502 (fax) (972) 239-2110 (fax)
U.S. Representative Michael Burgess
(202) 225-7772
(202) 225-2919 (Fax)
I appreciate your sharing your thoughts regarding this issue, and hope you will not hesitate to contact me again on any matter of importance to you.
Very truly yours,
Senator Jane Nelson