PA State Grange President Betsy Huber joined leaders from PA Farm Bureau and PennAg Industries this morning in the Capitol Rotunda to discuss the local illegal ordinances against farming and Pennsylvania’s food processing industry.

 

Responding to false claims and unfounded fears about large farm operations, more and more townships are considering or adopting ordinances that go far beyond the environmentally sound farm practices already required by numerous state laws,” Huber stated. “We call them illegal local ordinances, because they are exactly that – actions that are prohibited by Pennsylvania’s ‘Right to Farm’ Law and other statutes.”

 

She continued, “We in agriculture believe that most Pennsylvanians support our local farmers and agree that the industry cannot survive if subjected to a patchwork of regulations across the Commonwealth.”

 

Robert Grobengieser, President of PennAgIndustries Association, discussed the food processing industry saying, “Food will always flow to Pennsylvania from our global economy. But do we want more of our farm products originating in other countries – where their food industries produce to questionable standards of quality and safety? He continued, “And, should our nation rely on other countries for our food security?”

  

Farm Bureau’s President Guy Donaldson summed things up, “At the end of December, Governor Rendell vetoed legislation that would have helped resolve this problem [illegal ordinances]. In his veto message, the Governor said he agreed with the goal of the legislation, but said a more comprehensive approach is needed.” He went on, “Today we ask Governor Rendell to propose the solution he has promised.”

 

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange is the oldest agricultural organization of its kind in the United States.