PA State Grange President Betsy Huber praised Governor Ed Rendell for signing HB 1646 into law yesterday.  “This legislation will assist farmers across the Commonwealth in dealing with ordinances passed by local municipalities which illegally restrict their business operations,” Huber said.  “The Grange has been working for years with other agricultural organizations, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor’s Office to develop a working resolution to this problem.”

House Bill 1646, sponsored by Rep. Art Hershey (R-Chester) and Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington), allows for the State Attorney General to review both existing and future local ordinances and asks the A.G.’s office to bring any actions in the Commonwealth Court in a timely manner when an ordinance goes beyond what is allowed under state law, particularly the Right to Farm Act.  The Court may then award attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party.  Mrs. Huber said, “We commend both Rep. Art Hershey and Rep. Peter Daley for introducing this legislation and for supporting agriculture in the Commonwealth.”

“This problem [dealing with illegal local ordinances] has been a legislative priority of the Grange in Pennsylvania for nearly three years and we are very pleased to finally have it resolved,” Huber said.  “This legislation balances the legitimate business interests of agriculture with the environmental and community concerns of local citizens.”

The legislation establishes new standards for odor control when major new animal farming operations are established.  It also calls for tougher standards governing the spreading of animal manure on land as fertilizer to prevent pollution of surface waters.

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-24), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (Local) members (age 14 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural and rural organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.