Mr. Richard C. Traylor
Chairman, Texas Animal Health Commission
P.O. Box 12966
Austin, TX 78711
Dear Chairman Traylor:
I write to respectfully request that as you consider implementation of House
Bill 1361, you consider the real consequences it would have on small procedures
and livestock owners and exempt them from the proposed regulations.
I recognize that there is a legitimate need to protect the safety and integrity
of our food supply and to limit the spread of disease among livestock. I support
the Commission’s efforts, and I thank you for the good work you have done
toward those ends. But I have real and serious concerns about the effect these
rules will have on small producers and for folks who have only a few livestock
for pleasure or personal use. Subjecting these people to the same requirements
as large producers who make up the bulk of our food supply would provide marginal
protections at best but would put a heavy and onerous burden on small producers
and private owners.
Many of my constituents have legitimate concerns about their privacy rights
under this legislation and the proposed regulations. I share their concerns.
The thought that a private citizen would have to register with the government
simply to raise livestock is offensive and a threat to the personal liberties
of every Texan. Had I known the full consequences of the bill, I would not have
supported it during the Legislative Session, and I intend to offer legislation
amending the statute to explicitly provide exemptions for small producers as
soon as the Legislature convenes.
Until the Legislature is back in session, the Commission is clearly within its
authority to make the type of exemption I am requesting. In face, HB 1361 gives
the Commission great latitude in whether to even write rules and implement the
bill at all. The bill’s language is completely permissive—it does
not require that the Commission do anything. In recognition of the grave concerns
raised by small producers and private owners, it is appropriate for the Commission
to either not implement these rules at all until the Legislature can revisit
this issue or to provide an exemption for folks who would be adversely affected
by the regulations. Such an exemption would still allow for registration of
premises covering the vast majority of livestock in Texas.
Thank you for your service to Texas and for your serious consideration of these issues. If you have any questions, or if I can be of any help to you, please let me know. Sincerely, Bryan Hughes, Texas House of Representatives, District 5