Reprint courtesy of Lufkin daily News

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Awaiting "clear direction" from the feds, the Texas Animal Health Commissioners decided Wednesday to postpone their March meeting intended to address proposed regulations on registering places where livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl are held, managed or handled.

The canceled meeting, which was open to the public, was set for 8 a.m. March 23 in Round Rock will now be held May 4 –whether the animal site identification program will be on that May agenda has yet to be decided, according to a Texas Animal Health Commission press release.

"We are seeking from the U.S. Department of Agriculture clear direction on National Animal Identification System time lines for implementation," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and TAHC executive director in a press release.

After the Legislature passed House Bill 1361 which authorizes TAHC to create rules regarding animal registration and collect fees to implement the program, TAHC commissioners during their December meeting, "proposed regulations for premises registration," according to a press release. However, at the February meeting commissioners postponed a decision, "opting for more time to consider the comments received during that meeting."

"The commissioners continue to consider the comments they received," Wednesday's press release states.

An earlier press release had said the March meeting would focus expressly on the proposed regulations for premises registration.

"The commissioners have a number of options in consideration of the proposed regulations," he said. "They may: adopt the proposed regulations as presented; amend the proposed regulations; forgo adoption; or further postpone action.”

Premises registration is currently underway on a national level and is required in states like Wisconsin. The national registration program reflects 205,000 sites where animals are kept or handled. Of these, 8,200 are based in Texas, according to the press release. There are at least 200,000 sites in Texas, according to Hillman.

Some Texans find the proposal a threat to small agriculturalists and are dispersing an online petition against the required registration.

"I think that this is an undermining of the small farmers, and ranchers," said Harold Renfro, of Nacogdoches County, in an e-mail interview. "I believe that this is just another way to get people to quit farming and raising their own livestock. They have already put the small packing houses out of business because of all the red tape."

Renfro runs a side business in trapping pests that range from nutria to beavers.

"Several of the people I have talked to about this believe that the animal rights activist have infiltrated this organization and found ways to stop people from owning animals," he said. "Having to register animals for personal use is asinine. We are supposed to live in a free country, and instead we are being monitored in ways that does not reflect that! Most East Texas folks don't even know about this. Why should we have to register all our animal? I believe in protecting businesses who raise livestock but to put the small farmers out of business is just wrong. If we own land is not the animals we raise not ours?"

According to Hillman, registration is easy and requested information is limited.

"Registrants are not asked how many acres or animals they own,” he said. “Knowing where species of animals are located would greatly enhance our ability to alert owners and get ahead of a disease outbreak before it spreads."

This is important, he said, in order to prevent cases like the Exotic Newcastle Disease discovered in a Los Angeles neighborhood in 2002.

"The infection raced through small flocks, then spread to 22 commercial flocks, costing $160 million to eradicate,” he said.

While the premises data is considered confidential, it would enable animal health officials to “map out emergency response, and save precious time searching for sites with susceptible species, and exposed or potentially infected animals," the press release stated.

Amendments to the proposed regulations allow 4-H Club and FFA students coverage under school 4-H Club or FFA chapter premises identification numbers, "if the students maintain animal projects on a site that, otherwise would not need to be registered."

Other recommended amendments exempt persons if they keep caged exotic fowl such as parakeets or parrots in their home.

However, Dr. Hillman said, in the event of an avian disease outbreak near the home of a parrot, TAHC may require the caged parrot premises to be registered.

Under TAHC's proposed regulations the premises registration would be mandatory as of July 1, and cost $20. Meanwhile, Texans wishing to register in advance can do so at no cost until June 30, according to the press release.

"The premises registered prior to July 1, 2006, would be due for a two-year renewal July 1, 2008, when a $10 per year fee would be paid as a biennial fee of $20 fee for two years," TAHC states.

Texans can register their animals online at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us, or by completing a registration form, available at the county extension office, and faxing or mailing it to TAHC.

TAHC assistance is also available by calling 1-800-550-8242.

Christine S. Diamond's e-mail address is cdiamond@coxnews.com.

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