Who will have access to information on me, my farm and my livestock?

The TAHC/USDA NAIS databases will reside on private contractors computers. These computer systems will be vulnerable by Data Miners who are commercial data collectors that sell information. In the wrong hands this information could destroy local livestock markets for small to medium livestock producers. Hackers looking for information to steal and database contractor employees wanting to sell your information for personal gain.

Foreign and domestic terrorist will be drawn to these databases. TAHC/USDA NAIS databases will be road maps for criminals to areas in our state where large concentration of livestock are pastured. With GPS directions to your farm, they will have no trouble zeroing in on anyone's registered premises.

Be prepared that under court order your information both real time and past history can be turned over to any local, county, state, or US agency. To name a few; law enforcement, health/ environmental agencies, IRS, City, County, State or School Tax Assessor Collectors as well as County Appraisal Districts.

Product liability lawyers from all 50 states armed with court orders will have access to your information. Attorneys representing people who have had their property and vehicles damaged will want your information also.

Keep in mind once your animal has a electronic ID tag implanted or ear tagged under supervision of the State of Texas, there likely would be little question legally that it was your animal. Even if you had sold the animal but registration transfer was not recorded.

Officially

From TAHC rules:

(a) Information collected by the commission under this chapter is exempt from the public disclosure requirements of Chapter 552, Government Code. The commission may provide information to another person, including a governmental entity, without altering the confidential status of the information.

(b) The commission may release information to:

(1) A person who owns or controls animals and seeks information regarding those animals, if the person requests the information in writing;

(2) The attorney general's office, for the purpose of law enforcement;

(3) The secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, for the purpose of animal health protection;

(4) The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, for the purpose of homeland security;

(5) The Department of State Health Services, for the purpose of protecting the public health from zoonotic diseases;

(6) Any person, under an order of a court of competent jurisdiction;

(7) A state, municipal, or county emergency management authority, for the purpose of management or response to natural or man-made disasters; or

(8) Any person the executive director of the commission considers appropriate, if the executive director determines that:

(A) Livestock may be threatened by a disease, agent, or pest; and

(B) The release of the information is related to actions the commission may take under this section.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the commission shall release information collected under this section if the release is necessary for emergency management purposes under Chapter 418, Government Code. The release of information under this subsection does not alter the confidential status of the information.