Arkansas bill will affect bird owners

[libertymtn]

I just wanted to let bird owners in Arkansas know that there is a bill called the Freedom to Farm Act HB1046 that will affect you. But in a *good* way! This bill simply states that those who want to participate in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) can do so if they so desire - BUT for those who do NOT want to participate, they shall not be required, coerced or threatened into it. That the NAIS is to be kept completely voluntary in the state of Arkansas. And it also defines "voluntary" so that's not left open to government entities to define it themselves. Four other states have already passed similar laws (Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky and Arizona).

The Freedom to Farm Act HB1046 just got voted out of the House Ag Committee on Feb. 4 in Little Rock with a "Do Pass". It goes to the full House for a vote this next week. Please contact your representatives and senators and ask them to vote FOR this bill. If you want a copy of it to read, I can email it to you. Please let your friends and neighbors know about this, too. Even the governor is going to need to hear from us. The Arkansas Animal Producer's Assoc. is the driving force behind this bill. Other associations are now stepping up to support it, too, like the Arkansas Horse Council. We need the Exotic Bird clubs in Arkansas to also support it.

If it passes in the House (and we expect it to), it will then go to the Senate Ag Committee. Sen. Ruth Whitaker is the sponsor of the bill and she's not only on that Ag committee, she's a member of ARAPA. The Senators need to hear from their constituents even more than the Reps. Please help us. And let me know if you have any questions. My husband and I have always loved parrots and have thought about having one, but this NAIS thing is stopping us from even thinking about this unless this bill can be passed into law in our state. (Actually I've always wanted a mynah bird but I don't think you can own those anymore, can you?)

[Monica]

Actually, you can, if you can find someone who breeds mynahs.
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