Harrisburg, PA - Brenda Shambaugh, Legislative Director for the PA State Grange, testified today on the Implications of Asian Bird Flu in Pennsylvania, before the House Agriculture Committee.  She stressed the need to provide accurate information about Avian Bird Flu, should an outbreak occur in the Commonwealth.

During her testimony (see full text below), Brenda praised the Animal Health Commission and the creation of Pennsylvania's Animal Laboratory Network through Penn State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the PA Department of Agriculture. 

Additionally, Ms. Shambaugh expressed the Grange's support for the animal and premise ID program currently being discussed at the federal and state level.  She stated, "The Grange supports the concept of animal and premise ID as a necessary evil.  However, we caution the Committee to ensure that these animal and farm lists remain confidential."  She continued by saying, "Farmers need to be assured that these sensitive lists will be protected, so their farms and livelihood will be protected as well."
 

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of the American quality of life 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 20,000 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.

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PENNSYLVANIA STATE GRANGE

 

TESTIMONY PRESENTED BEFORE THE

HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

PRESENTED BY

BRENDA SHAMBAUGH

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:

ASIAN BIRD FLU: IMPLICATIONS FOR PENNSYLVANIA

Good Morning. My name is Brenda Shambaugh and I am the Legislative Director for the Pennsylvania State Grange. The Grange represents approximately 20,000 rural Pennsylvanians, many of whom are involved in the poultry industry, and all of whom will be affected in the event of an Asian Bird Flu epidemic in the Commonwealth. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Asian Bird Flu and its Implications for Pennsylvania.

As you already know, the Asian Bird Flu has been discussed extensively in the media. The Grange believes that it is imperative for the media at all levels be given accurate information about this particular strain of flu. The truth about the disease, its health risks, and the possible spread of the flu will help the agricultural industry combat all the false information currently being disseminated. The poultry industry will be unable to bear hysterical outcries stemming from emotion rather than fact. It is crucial that accurate information be distributed to all media outlets on a regular basis. The last thing the poultry industry needs is another "Alar" scare that cost the apple industry millions of dollars. Poultry producers have already had to endure several avian influenza outbreaks. We are not sure that they could survive another devastating blow to their industry.

The Asian Bird Flu is demonstrating once again the importance of the Animal Health Commission and the creation of Pennsylvania’s Animal Laboratory Network through Penn State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the PA Department of Agriculture. This Committee can be proud of their commitment to the Commission and the Labs through their participation and financial support. The House Agriculture Committee has advocated adequate funding year after year and continues to explain to the entire General Assembly that funding for these purposes is not only necessary, but vital to animal and human health. We urge you to continue funding the Commission and the Labs at an adequate level. Additionally on the funding issue, the General Assembly will have to be vigilant in the event of an Asian Bird Flu outbreak in our Commonwealth. The industry will have to quickly de-populate the infected flocks to avoid the spread of the disease. That will necessitate an extensive indemnification program for those growers whose flocks will be destroyed. This Committee could be an integral part of that process by advocating the funding necessary to implement an indemnity program.

Recently the Grange has had the opportunity to express its support for the animal and premise ID program that is currently being discussed at the federal and state level. Soon, this Committee may be asked to vote on legislation creating an ID program. The Grange supports the concept of animal and premise ID as a necessary evil. However, we caution the Committee to ensure that these animal and farm lists remain confidential. In the wrong hands, these lists could become tools for terrorist activities, something no one wants to have happen. Farmers need to be assured that these sensitive lists will be protected, so their farms and livelihood will be protected as well.

Thank you again for allowing me to voice the concerns of the PA State Grange. I will be happy to answer questions at this time.