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Sample Letter #1

In opposition to the National Animal Identification System

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Date

The Honorable Bill Frist
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Frist:

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), as it is evolving from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Congressional pressure to "pass something" in this session could severely damage the entire livestock industry, and destroy thousands of small farms and ranches, and deprive other rural dwellers of the opportunity to raise animals of their own.

At least three bills are now circulating in the House (HR 1254; HR 3170; HR 1256), all of which include provisions that are unnecessary, and will have devastating unintended consequences. Moreover, Senator Saxby Chambliss has declared that he would write some versions of this program into the Agriculture Appropriation Bill.

This issue is far too important to be rushed through Congress in an election year, without thorough review, discussion and debate. The American people are just becoming aware of the NAIS, and are building a very strong resistence to most of its provisions.

I urge your to see that no federal funds are included in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill for this highly controversial program. Please do not let this program become law before the American people understand it, and have an opportunity to express their views to their representatives. The next Congress can deal with this issue deliberately, and much more responsibly than a rush to "pass something" this year.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Town, USA