All
Livestock Owners Need to Ban Together
Editorial by Marilyn E.
Short
Should
horse owners be concerned with getting horses removed from the National Animal
Identification System (NAIS)? No! Horse owners should oppose NAIS in any way,
shape, or form…both here in Texas and at the national level. The proposed
regulations in Texas would require every person who owns even one livestock
animal, whether it’s a chicken, goat, pig, sheep, cow, exotic bird or
horse, to register their premises with the state. Registering your property
is only the first step. NAIS should be stopped in all states and for all livestock.
From my research, the only part of the horse industry that will benefit from
NAIS are the slaughter houses. Depending on if all horses would need to be micro-chipped,
radio tagged, or otherwise physically identified – then vets would also
benefit, but believe it or not, there are many veterinarians against NAIS –
most are overworked as it is.
Breeders, trainers, boarding facilities and private horse owners may not be
able to afford to own, breed, board, or show their animals and when that happens…who
would buy them?
I’ve written or called my breed and professional organizations to find
out their position regarding NAIS. Unbelievably the American Horse Council told
me they had no position. They are member supported by individuals and organizations
representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders,
veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen’s associations
to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.
Their mission is to promote and protect the equine industry by representing
its interests in Congress and in federal regulatory agencies on national issues
of importance. What’s wrong with this picture?
I received a slightly better answer from The Texas Horse Council. “The
Texas Horse Council doesn’t necessarily oppose NAIS for horses –
there are several things that need to be considered – most of all that
the regulations of NAIS is in the hands of the Texas Animal Health Commission
and hasn’t set forth any regulations at this time. The TAHC is holding
(and canceling) commission meetings and sort of inviting the public –
but as of yet nothing has been resolved. There are also folks that want the
bill repealed in the April special session. There are still questions as to
who will it affect and how will it be enforced that need to be answered before
we take a stand.” What? Are you kidding me?! Take a stand now, don’t
let it affect the horse industry! Waiting to see what happens is exactly why
horse owners and other livestock owners are in the rumble seat of the NAIS jalopy
now! NAIS regulations have been crafted to benefit the larger beef export industry
at the lowest possible cost to them.
The first week of April TAHC sent out a press release that they would not address
proposed regulations for premises registration at the upcoming May 4th meeting
and that the proposed premises registration regulations have been placed on
“hold” and will not be considered by commissioners until the winter
or spring of 2007. Don’t relax the fight on NAIS, don’t forget about
NAIS just because TAHC has placed a “hold”, and don’t voluntarily
register your premises. Most of all don’t think this is just about getting
horses removed from the list of livestock, if NAIS is approved for any type
of livestock, it will be very easy for “big brother” to add horses
to the list at a later date.
This is a horse publication so we are naturally concerned with our horses, but
all livestock owners should ban together to fight NAIS.