Gov. Candidates Tackle Ag Issues (Continued from Page A 1) Mike Fisher Question 1: Increasingly within our commonwealth today, local gov ernments and municipalities are “ overriding ” state regulations and taxing producers, in particular live stock facilities. How do you plan to reconcile this issue and bring back order that will allow production agri culture to grow and expand to re main viable? 1 will insist on the application of existing laws, the Right to Farm Act, and the Agricultural Condemnation Review Act. These acts must be properly enforced, and on a statewide basis. Pennsylvania has al ways been a leader in protecting the fanners’ right to farm, and I have al ready pledged to continue to encour age this. Just last year, the Carbon County Commissioners passed an or dinance giving the country the right to make decisions on appropriate uses of pesticides. The courts rightly overturned the ordinance. I will also carefully consider the impact of regulatory and administra tive actions to minimize their impact on farmland and farming practices. I have a long record of support for state efforts to protect the right to farm, and I will work to ensure that new farm technology can be integrat ed into farm operations without the threat of legal action by new neigh bors. Question 2; Permitting and regula tory compliance continues to be a time-consuming and costly effort for many food chain participants. What specific ideas do you have for reduc ing the unnecessary “red tape” to en sure needed compliance but return the time effective and profitable op eration to the hands of farmers? I am committed to streamlining our state government’s permitting and regulatory compliance efforts. 1 understand that farming in Pennsyl vania has been hindered by excess red tape for far too long; costs of reg ulatory compliance and clearances of Call or email us today for a free catalog. Toll free - 1-800-845-3374 • 717-866-7565 • www.farmerboyag.com This facility features our latest des (4) 550 head pens, each with its indi vidual Sort Scale - This user friendly design improves pig performance and saves labor. Call us about contract finishing on your farm. Ask about INSTALLATION & 24 HOUR SERVICE after the sale. SAME DAY SHIPPING on in-stock items 410 East Lincoln Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067 • Hours: Mon.-Fri. - 6:30-5:30 • Sat. - 7:30-noon * ' '• » ' . ?■* > • '< » -* 7 , environmental permits are a major consideration for Pennsylvania’s farmers. By expediting permit clear ances and compliance assistance, I will remove barriers to the progress of our fanning industry. In addition, I will ensure that Pennsylvania has an experienced and accessible Om budsman to assist with permit clear ances and regulatory hurdles. Question 3: Managing nutrients is a key issue for many involved in pro duction agriculture. If elected gover nor, what clear position would you take that would effect the future reg ulation of agricultural nutrients? Additional red tape is not the an swer to expanding agriculture in Pennsylvania. Barriers to growth and regulatory hurdles must be stream lined in order to maximize the pro ductivity of our number one indus try. The current Nutrient Management Program in Pennsylva nia is an effective structure for the oversight of production agriculture. The use of factors such as density, size and nature of the operation ap propriately designate the proper level of regulatory oversight. The Depart ment of Agriculture has established a good program in concert with DEP to ensure that we meet federal re quirements, without unnecessarily re stricting Pennsyl vania’s farm community. Regulatory decisions should be made with the input of the agricultural community as a partner, and I will work with you to see that those decisions are reasonable and based on sound sci ence. Question 4: Finding profitable markets for Pennsylvania’s agricul tural products is a key to our suc cess. You have publicly said you would champion Pennsylvania’s agri cultural value globally. Can you be more specific on your intentions and the potential long- and short-term benefits you expect? 1 am committed to championing the value of Pennsylvania’s farm and food products around the world. Ag riculture expects and deserves that its governor and secretary of agricul Thanks and congratulations to Dennis Martin of Spring Grove, PA ign: ture take leadership in growing our export markets. Secretary Hayes has provided an excellent example of what that kind of leadership can yield, and I will encourage similar activity in my administration. In 2000, Pennsylvania food ex ports were estimated at $620 million, and they significantly helped boost farm prices and income, while sup porting about 8,900 jobs both on the farm and off the farm in food pro cessing, storage, and transportation. Exports make up about 15 percent of the state’s farm income. I recognize that the creation of new international markets is key to the future growth of Pennsylvania agriculture. I will ensure that the Department of Agri culture is aggressive in finding niche markets for the hundreds of specialty crops grown here, and seeking new opportunities for food processing and value added products as well as the major export items today live ani mals and red meats, dairy products, poultry, feed grains, and hardwoods. The benefits of this will include: • Recognition of Pennsylvania as the premier producer of agricultural products worldwide • Expanded imports for agricul tural products • Increased prosperity for all of Pennsylvania’s farmers. Question 5: Pennsylvania ranks #1 in the nation for farmland preserva tion, with more than 234,000 acres of farmland preserved throughout the state and a waiting list of more than 1,700 farms. However, because of an ever-growing population, there is an increasing demand for residential growth and associated recreational areas ("green area access”). Farm land preservation, residential growth and the public areas needed to ac commodate that growth frequently conflict with one another. Can you state more directly what role you would like for state and local govern ments to take to ensure that the farmland preservation successes con tinue and that* “smart” residential growth and associated recreational areas occur without causing con- For choosing FARMER BOY AG Systems to construct their new 2200 head "Easy Sort" FARMER BOY AG Systems ■ TURN KEY ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS | CSS flict? How would you balance the porting the successful elements of the need for growth and the protection of Stay Invent the Future Initiative. health and safety through the con- Support for outreactt efforts by the demnation of farmland by public en- Department of Agriculture and by tides (schools, highways projects, the state extension service will help etc.) with the public investment made in that effort. We will also include in protecting these farmland re- agriculture in our campaigns to sources? promote Pennsylvania as a wonder- As governor, I will convene a bi partisan Commission on Agriculture, composed of leaders from our food and agricultural industries to hold hearings, conduct research, identify opportunities and challenges and to recommend future state policies and actions that ensure farmland preser vation interests are balanced interests in residential growth. In addition, I will empower the Center for Local Government as a Deputized Office in the Department of Community and Economic Development, which will ensure that farmers are given the tools to influence policies within their communities. I will direct all state agencies to adhere to Executive Order 1997-6, which was designed to protect agricultural land and re sources. Pennsylvania already has the Agricultural Lands Condemna tion Approval Board that is designed to protect our valuable farmland re sources from condemnation unless no other reasonable alternative ex ists. I will insist that all state agencies acknowledge and use that process to protect those resources. Question 6: Many people in the food industry are concerned about the level of knowledge and insight the nonfarm public has about food origin, quality, and appropriate in dustry controls that exist to support food demand. While you support state funding for 4-H, FFA, and Ag in the Classroom, what ideas do you have to address the broader knowl edge gap between agriculture and the public? I will work with the state’s college and universities to seek ways of pro viding increased funding for college and graduate level programs de signed to train young Pennsylvanians in the fields that support the busi nesses of food and agriculture, and to keep these young professionals in the commonwealth upon completion of their education. I will work to retain Pennsylvania’s young people by sup Finisher Barn 1-800-845-3374 ful place to visit and to work. It is important that the public understand the value of agriculture not only to our economy, but to our way of life in Pennsylvania. Question 7; You have publicly sup ported a special session on property tax reform, which could have a sig nificant impact on farm taxation and subsequent profitability. If elected governor, what ideal solution would you like to see implemented? Farmers are still paying a dispro portionate share of the cost of rural education because of the state’s reli ance on property taxes to fund schools. I am committed to working with the General Assembly to ensure that all the citizens of Pennsylvania are represented in the development of a new and fairer system. I will also work to see that less of our education dollars are spent on bureaucracy and so that more money is put into our classroom. Question 8: One of the members wrote in, “I farm in Chester County and have a 500-cow dairy. What will I need to do differently in the future to comply with environmental laws and still stay in business? ” My administration, especially my Department of Environmental Pro tection, will work closely with our farmers and agribusiness community to see that environmental programs are reasonable, based on sound sci ence and are developed with the input of the agricultural community. Additionally, I will ensure that Penn sylvania has an experienced and ac cessible Ombudsman to assist with permit clearances and regulatory hurdles. Finally, to streamline and reduce Pennsylvania’s regulatory bu reaucracy, my administration will provide the sunset of any new regula tion no later than five years after the effective date and will conduct a re view of all existing regulations for (Turn to Page A 26)
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