. rr .„ % Uncaster Farmlna.Salurda * ’ V ' « A " 1 ‘ p ** -f» i—« ■■-!—— ■—■t- Ag Industry Coalition Forms To Fight For Vet School Funds VERNON ACHENBACH JR. Lancaster Farming Staff HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Pennsylvania’s agricul ture industry is again joining for ces to persuade the stale governor that his proposal to cut funding to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is detrimental to the state’s agricul ture industry, to the health of its residents and the economy, and to the political career of the governor. On Wednesday at the Pennsyl vania Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building in Harrisburg, located adjacent to the state Capi tol Building, an ad hoc committee of the stale’s agricultural industry leadership met to review with legi slators the effects of Gov. Tom Ridge’s proposed 27-percent cut in state funding for the institution. Ridge had proposed a state budget that reduced taxes and seeks cuts in most all spending. As an example, of all the spending proposed for education, only Penn State University’s College of Agri cultural Sciences and Extension received proposals for increased spending. However, even that level of ■if) TrITY SERWNGJHROUGH EDUCATION, PROMOTION & RESEARCH Beef Council BOBCABEL M- . mpn 717-587-327* ' * l“ ve '•'“fd numerous comments from neighbors, and others involved in the cattle industry, expressing concern about the possible effects the British BSE (Mad Cow Disease) epidemic may have on American demand for beef, especially as we approach the grilling season. Vice-Chairman BILL McCOY Lancatter 717-fl6#-5044 Treasurer DENNIS SNYDER Westfield 814-3(7-5732 As you know, there have been no reported cases of BSE in the United States. Since 1985, no beef has been imported from the U.K., and since 1989, no British cattle or sheep have been imported in the United States. Despite these facts, the issue has gnntinnwrt to fes ter within the media and among consumers. Secretary LOWELL WILSON State College 814-238-5188 As Chairman of the Pennsylvania Beef Council, I have been in close contact with off,ce stoff who, in cooperation with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, have been Executive Director closc,y moni,orin g «id proactively addressing the issue. DAVID J. IVAN Hvrliburi Within Pennsylvania, your Beef Council staff members have conducted interviews with key consumer media outlets throughout the state to reassure consumers of the safety and wholesomeness of American beef. Background information has also been distributed to leading retailers and foodsetvice outlets across the Commonwealth. Additionally, the office has fielded numerous consumer inquiries, and has sent information to leading food and health reporters. Our message has been simple: “Cattlemen have two responsibilities: one is to protect cattle from preventable diseases, and the other is to provide a safe and wholesome product for consumers. American cattlemen are accomplishing both." The Beef Council has coordinated its efforts closely with the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Agriculture, who in turn, have been in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, to ensure a consistent, positive response. Current depressed cattle prices have created a sense of anxiety among many of us. Anticipated large fed cattle market levels, and a quickly approaching crucial summer grilling season have added to the concerns of British BSE issue may have on our local beef «<■■*>< As a producer, like yourself, I share in your concerns but I take comfort in knowing that our Beef Council is working overtime to address the issue while at the same time laying plans for the most extensive summer beef promotion ever conducted within the state. I provide this information to you with the intention of keeping you as a producer, and beef checkoff investor, informed. If you have further questions, please don't to contact myself, or the Beef Council office (717-545-6000). Sincerely Po(m i Robert Gabel PA Beef Council Chairman increase is actually a decrease and will actually see the College and Extension be forced to continue its decline in staff and services. The lack of maintenance-level funding for essential agricultural and related educational and research support in comparison to a large proposed increase in state spending on expanding the prison system has been held up by some as incomprehensible. In his budget address. Gov. Ridge said, “This budget includes $62.2 million for the continued expansion of our prison system. Some .in the Capitol will criticize this expenditure. Most Pennsylva nians will not. Those who murder, assault and rape our neighbors must be put away.” Ridge said that he proposed the budget in consideration of an anti cipated federal shortfall of $6OO million, and assuming that state economic growth and therefore state lax revenue growth will be slow. Ridge’s plan is to deal realisti cally with the state’s economic situation by limiting the amount of taxes collected and limiting the funds spent, in order to allow pri An open letter to cattle producers vate investment opportunities and the creation of jobs to follow. ‘Tor the first time in 25 yean, state government will spend less than the year before. We (proposed to) cut general fond spending by $3O million. We redirect another $787 million to better reflect the priorities of Pennsylvania. And we cut taxes —s6o million worth. Every cent aimed at job creation and retention. Every cent aimed at the job market of the 21st Century.” That is where the leaden of the coalition that met Wednesday con sider that Ridge has either missed the mark or is misinformed. The ad hoc committee was chaired by Guy Donaldson, who recently took over the presidency of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The last time an ad hoc commit tee from the agriculture industry formed to fight cuts in state fund ing for the state’s only veterinarian school Democratic Gov. Robert Casey held office. As most of the speaken and agricultural leaders said, it was assumed after successfully fight ing then to reinstate funding for the vet school that the importance of 4714 Orchard St—Harrisburg, PA 17109 Phone (717) 545-6000 the school ip the state had been ‘This is the best veterinary established and such debilitating school in the world," he told the reductions as Ridge has suggested group, capping and supporting the would no longer be proposed. statements of those directly Speakers included several legi- involved with the school that slaton active in agricultural affairs otherwise could be seen cynically including Rep. Raymond Bunt, R- as merely self-serving. Montgomery, majority chairman However, the facts are that Gov. of the House Agriculture and Rural Ridge has targeted exporting man- Affairs Committee, and Sen. ufactured goods and agricultural Edward Madigan, R- products, along with strengthening Williamsport, majority chairman the tourist industry as key to rcvita of the Senate Agriculture and Rur- lizing the state’s economy, al Affairs Committee. The School of Veterinary Medi- Legislator-farmer Rep. Art Her- cine is integral to Pennsylvania’s shey, R-Chester County, also triparitite system under the state spoke out in support of the school. Animal Health Diagnostic Other speakers were Dr. Alan Commission, Kelly, dean of the School of Veter- Th« just-coming to strength inary Medicine. Barry Stupine, system involves the state Dcpart associate dean and director of the ment of Agriculture and its under- Small Animal Hospital, and other construction new testing laborat heads of different areas under the ory in Harrisburg, the Pennsylva overview of the School. nia State University and its A last speaker was Dr. Sheifoyn diagnostic laboratories and refer- W. Ostrich, president of the cnee libraries (it has the largest American Veterinary Association, collection of E. colli bacteria in the also an 1963 alumnus of the world so that those concerned with School. 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