Bill That Will Protect Tennessee Farmers From Being Compelled To Vaccinate Livestock To Be Heard In Committees

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –

This week, a bill that will protect farmers in the state of Tennessee from being compelled to vaccinate their animals under orders from state agriculture authorities is being presented in committees in both the House and Senate. 

HB2801/SB2543 as stated in the caption text: “As introduced, exempts livestock and poultry producers who do not vaccinate their animals from orders of the commissioner of agriculture or state veterinarian that require vaccines for animals. – Amends TCA Title 43; Title 44 and Title 53.”

The bill is being carried in the House by Representative Bud Hulsey (R-D2-Kingsport), and in the Senate by Senator Frank Nicely (R-D8-Strawberry Plains). 

While thus far, there aren’t any such regulations being impose, people in Tennessee might have a good reason to believe that could change, and not just because when dealing with government things always tend to. 

A recent report  through research by The Tennessee Conservative, revealed that the NPPC or the National Pork Producers Council, recently “met with members of the Tennessee Legislature on issues related to the use of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine technology in animal agriculture.” 

According to this report there are 10 states that have bills in the works that would either require labels for meat from vaccinated animals, allow “mRNA-free” labels for unvaccinated animals, or ban the use of mRNA vaccines entirely.

The report states that in a recent meeting with leadership of both House and the Senate, NPPC’s Director of Food Policy Dr. Ashley Johnson, and Director of State Policy Drew Beardslee, along with a Veterinarian for Tosh farms, “raised concerns about labeling” and “affirmed the safety and efficacy of mRNA technology”. 

Additionally stated in the report, at the meeting were others in attendance, Tennessee Pork Producers Association Executive Director Phyllis Ferguson and representatives from Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture, the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Tennessee Farm Bureau.

NPPC, in the same report, stated clearly their advocacy for the use of mRNA vaccines and called them “a tool for combating endemic and foreign animal diseases.”

Further, that American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture approve policies supporting mRNA vaccine technology in livestock.

Finally, the report emphasizes that “vaccines are critical to preserving animal health and well-being, keeping the food supply safe and protecting US livestock from emerging and foreign animal diseases.” 

With all of these statements being made by an organization who seems, based on this report, somewhat determined to convince lawmakers that all livestock being raised and processed in Tennessee needs to have not only the vaccines that have traditionally been used, but mRNA vaccines, the very same technology being used in vaccines administered for the purposes of mitigating the Covid-19 virus, bills such as HB2801/SB2543 will be necessary to protect local farmers who wish to keep their animals free of such contaminants. 

HB2801 is being heard in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee at 10:30 am on 3/5, and in the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee at 11am on 3/6. 

House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee:

rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tandy.darby@capitol.tn.gov, rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov, rep.justin.jones@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov

Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee:

sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov, sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov, sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov, sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov, sen.charlane.oliver@capitol.tn.gov, sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov, sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov

About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member.  Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.