The NAIS (National Animal Identification System) and Texas

As real estate agents, we need to be familiar with issues that might impact our clients.  One of those issues, for people who have animals or who are buying land with the intent of raising animals, is NAIS.  There has been much furor since the USDA introduced this idea - the trick is to sort out the propaganda on both sides of the issue and determine what's fact and what's fiction.  As someone who is a real estate agent who has animals, I have grave concerns regarding NAIS as it was initially presented and the premise upon which the necessity for it was built.  Fortunately, the populace rose up and has been speaking its mind, quite loudly, and it has been put in the bright light of public view for all to see.

One thing that IS fact is that several states have passed laws making sure that NAIS will not be mandatory in their states.  Representative Bryan Hughes of Texas has introduced a bill, HB No. 637, to the Texas House of Representatives that would ameliorate some of the worse effects of NAIS.  If you're a Texan, I suggest that you study up on NAIS, read this bill and let your legislators know what you think, for good or ill.  Even if you do not have animals or plan to do so, or handle property for those who do, NAIS can have a serious impact on your life simply by driving small producers out of business due to the impact of the costs on them.  This reduces your choices of what foods to buy and from what sources.  It's not just something that impacts the farmers and ranchers; it's something that can appear on your plate every day.  Organic meats might become more difficult to acquire because many organic producers are small producers and may disappear.  Fewer people may be buying that place in the country to have a few critters, and that can impact your pocketbook as a real estate agent.  And, worse, the system, as designed, would not achieve the goal is purports to have nor would that goal increase our safety, if one looks at the actual statistics. 

Those are just a few of my thoughts on NAIS.  Have you thought about it?  Were you even aware of its existence?  Tell me what you think!