Texas Farm Bureau's Bizarre View

This rather bizarre article was published today in the Texas Farm Bureau's Texas Agriculture Magazine. Before you read this article you need to know that author Steve Pringle is Texas Farm Bureau's "Legislative Activities Coordinator". What this fancy title boils down to is that Pringle is a professional political lobbyist. Pringle is registered with the Texas Ethics Commission as a paid political lobbyist. His TEC registration ID is 00010126. (does he have a RFID tag in his ear ?)

Go figure, a paid professional political lobbyist that wants "politics" taken out of NAIS animal ID ! NAIS is nothing but a political gold mine for a select few. NAIS comes with a heavy burden for small livestock owners and producers.

For months now we have received calls and emails from upset Texas Farm Bureau members stating that they don't understand how TFB can support TAHC and NAIS when TFB has never polled it's rank and file members about their opinions. Estimates given to me is that over 90 percent of TFB regular members are opposed to TAHC NAIS plans.

I guess the upper crust over at TFB is just mad that many of their rank and file jumped ship and contacted their US Representatives to stand up for their personal rights and freedoms, TFB certainly was not. I guess Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Louie Gohmert and Sam Johnson truly represent the voice of the people that elected them, not just the upper crust of a special interest group. Our hats off to these three Congressmen.

We ask all TFB members, If TFB does not ask your opinion on NAIS, if they do not represent the majority of your fellow members then why are you still members? Have you considered canceling your TFB insurance?

But when you do, don't just call your agent and say you are canceling for no reason. Be sure to tell them I am canceling my insurance and my TFB membership because TFB does not represent me or anyone else I know on the NAIS issue.

We would also like to comment that recently R-CALF USA, the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America asked it's members to vote on it's stance on NAIS, the outcome of this vote ?

Regarding animal identification, members approved by a vote of 3,628-183 the following resolution: “R-CALF USA opposes a federally mandated national animal identification program. --------R-CALF USA ---------

R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker makes this statement:

“While it takes longer to count mail-in ballots than to simply count a show of hands during convention, R-CALF USA’s policy ensures that each voting member has an equal voice in both the leadership and direction of the organization,”

TFB members; Did TFB leaders ask for your opinion on NAIS? Do you think they care? Do you think they really want to know how many members would not support their view on NAIS?

Did you know that TFB leader Dan Dierschke, Testified for HB 1361 on behalf of TAHC back in 2005 ?

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To read the full on line article click here:

http://www.txfb.org/TexasAgriculture/2006/060206/060206opinions.htm

June 2 , 2006

Take politics out of animal I.D

By Steve Pringle
TFB Legislative Activities Coordinator

U.S. animal agriculture endured a frontal assault on its future in the U.S. Congress on May 24 and a real catastrophe was avoided, albeit by a decisive margin.

An amendment was offered to the Agriculture Appropriations bill which would have prevented the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from continuing talks and negotiations on any form of a national animal identification system (NAIS).

Unfortunately, the primary sponsor of the amendment to deny any discussions about NAIS was our own Congressman Ron Paul (R) of Clute. Two other members of the Texas delegation, Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) and Congressman Sam Johnson (R-Dallas) voted for the amendment along with Paul.

While this issue remains controversial in many areas of the country, it is a fact that the future of the animal industry in Texas and the United States is dependent upon its exports and marketing opportunities, both domestic and foreign. Markets like Japan, China, Asia and India will likely not be open to U.S. beef and other livestock products until a dependable animal identification system is in place. Our major competitors are moving ahead with their own identification system. The United States is falling behind.

Current Texas Farm Bureau policy favors a voluntary animal identification system. Some livestock industry leaders believe such a system should be mandatory. That may not be necessary, because it's becoming clear that animal identification will happen in some form. Market forces are already driving the industry in that direction. The trouble with the Paul amendment is that USDA would have been prohibited from even discussing the concept. That was, and is, a very bad idea.

Fortunately, the vast majority of the Congress voted for the livestock industry and against those that threaten our animal agriculture's future. Of the Texas delegation, 29 of our 32 members voted to support the industry.

With less than 10 percent of the world's population within U.S. borders, it is critical that our nation's agriculture industry have trade access to the other 90 percent of the world's consumers. Recent studies indicate that beef and other U.S. livestock products can be a major contributor to those markets as the standard of living increases for those consumers. None of that can happen unless we can discuss animal identification calmly and rationally.

Language in the Agriculture Appropriations bill does require the USDA to move cautiously to implement a system in cooperation with the industry and individual producers. The cost of the system, privacy of information, and liability are the major concerns that will need to be addressed by USDA. Texas Farm Bureau supports all of those concepts.

Politicians should resist the temptation to make this a political issue. There is too much at stake.

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