AlB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 5,1912
BY DICK ANGLESTEIN
HARRISBURG Some 1500
herd identification numbers have
thus far been issued under the
state’s new swine health rules by
the Bureau of Animal Industry,
Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture.
This number represents ap
proximately 15 percent of the
estimated 10,000 to 12,000 swine
producers in the Commonwealth.
“We’re pretty well satisfied with
the progress of the herd iden
HARRISBURG - John B.
“Jock” Hannum, Jr., 39, of
Umonville, Chester County, has
been appointed Chief Counsel to
the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture, according to State
Agriculture Secretary Penrose
Hallowell. Hannum began his
duties with the Department on
June I
As Chief Counsel, Hannum will
serve as legal advisor to the
Swine ID program moves ahead
tification program,” Dr Max Van
Buskirk, of the Bureau of Animal
Industry, said.
“We realized initially we would
have some difficulty because of the
inability to communicate directly
with each of the swine farmers.
"This is the reason that ap
plication forms to apply for a
number and information on the
program were made available
through our regional offices,
county extension offices, livestock
Chester Co. man is Ag Dept, counsel
Secretary of Agriculture, and will
be responsible for advising the
Department’s staff on all legal
matters including civil and
criminal litigation and contracts
Hallowell said he was pleased
that Hannum has accepted the
appointment. "Jock brings a solid
working knowledge of the law to
this position,” Hallowell said.
“Having lived on a farm his entire
life, he also understands the
problems of our family farm
auctions and hog slaughtering
operations."
Dr. Van Buskirk said the Bureau
realizes that sufficient tune must
be given the swine industry to
comply with the new identification
requirement.
“We are expecting to allow six to
eight weeks before starting to talk
enforcement,” he said.
Under the regulations, swine
may not be moved within the state
without proper identification. The
iHpntifioation can be in the form of
community. He has demonstrated
his dedication and integrity
throughout his career in both
public and private service.”
Hannum has taken a leave of
absence from the lawn firm of
Lamb, Wmdle and McErlane in
West Chester, Chester County, to
take this position. He is a former
assistant U.S. Attorney and former
clerk to state Superior Court Judge
J. Sydney Hoffman
Hannum, as a lieutenant in the
U.S Marine Corps, received two
Bronze Stars for valor in a combat
situation during his service in
an ear tatoo, back slap tatoo, ear
tag or other device approved by
the Bureau of Anunai Industry.
Dr. Van Buskirk also clarified
the portion of the regulations
concerning the issuance of a herd
ID number.
"The regulations do not
specifically require the issuance of
a new herd identification number,
although we prefer such a
system,” he said.
"But the law does require that
South Vietnam.
He received his J.D. degree from
Dickinson School of Lawn in 1973.
His undergraduate work was
completed at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1966 where he
earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Economics.
A member of the Chester County
Agucultural Development
Council, Hannum is also active in a
number of professional,
educational and community
organizations. Hannum and his
wife Georgianna have four
children.
swine must be idenlitied to permit
traceback of animals. ’ ’ (
Swine producers can use names,
initials or a series of consecutive
tag numbers, such as are used for
cattle. But these must be recorded
and approved by the Bureau of
Animal industry so that the
identification used by a producer is
protected.
The new ID requirements apply
lo feeder pigs, market hogs and
breeding swine.
The regulations are an
outgrowth of the pseudorabies
outbreak experienced primarily in
the southeastern section of the
state.
The pseudorabies situation is
described as "static” by Dr.‘Van
Busktrk.
The number ot quarantined
herds stands at 26, including some
feedlots, which are receiving the
feeder pigs from the quarantined
herds.
"A couple ot new herds have
been added in the past few months
and several have been taken off the
quarantine,” Dr. Van Buskirk
said. 4
"We expect that possibly half ot *
the quarantines should be lilted
within the next three to four
months.”