July 8, 1999

The Honorable James M. Seif
Secretary
PA Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 2063
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063

Dear Secretary Seif:

At the Agricultural Advisory Board's June 16, 1999 meeting, Mr. John Enck of the PA Department of Agriculture outlined a proposal to establish a working group to rapidly evaluate animal health concerns. This working group would determine the area of investigation and expertise needed, accumulate and investigate data, develop recommendations, provide an implementation report to the concerned citizen, and provide closure to the case. The members of the Agricultural Advisory Board unanimously passed a motion strongly supporting the working group proposal and encouraging that the proposal be implemented as quickly as possible with essential and appropriate funding. The Board hopes that you also support this proposal and assist in its implementation.

Recent problems regarding animal health issues in Belgium and Malaysia have highlighted the need for a quick response by government agencies and the private sector to animal health concerns. The proposed work group would be able to respond to emergency situations as well as research the issue of chronic, long term, low level exposure to toxins by animals. The Board has been discussing this issue of environmental concerns and animal health at its past several meetings. The Board believes it is imperative to have a system in place for farmers to turn to if they suspect environmental factors are adversely affecting animal health.

I hope that you will strongly support this effort to establish the work group. If I may be of further assistance, please contact the Board's Department of Environmental Protection's liaison, Dean Auchenbach, at 717-772-5668.

Sincerely,

Larry Breech
Chairperson
Agricultural Advisory Board

July 8, 1999

The Honorable Samuel E. Hayes
Secretary
PA Department of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408

Dear Secretary Hayes:

At the Agricultural Advisory Board's June 16, 1999 meeting, Mr. John Enck of the PA Department of Agriculture outlined a proposal to establish a working group to rapidly evaluate animal health concerns. This working group would determine the area of investigation and expertise needed, accumulate and investigate data, develop recommendations, provide an implementation report to the concerned citizen, and provide closure to the case. The members of the Agricultural Advisory Board unanimously passed a motion strongly supporting the working group proposal and encouraging that the proposal be implemented as quickly as possible with essential and appropriate funding. The Board hopes that you also support this proposal and assist in its implementation.

Recent problems regarding animal health issues in Belgium and Malaysia have highlighted the need for a quick response by government agencies and the private sector to animal health concerns. The proposed work group would be able to respond to emergency situations as well as research the issue of chronic, long term, low level exposure to toxins by animals. The Board has been discussing this issue of environmental concerns and animal health at its past several meetings. The Board believes it is imperative to have a system in place for farmers to turn to if they suspect environmental factors are adversely affecting animal health.

I hope that you will strongly support this effort to establish the work group. If I may be of further assistance, please contact the Board's Department of Environmental Protection's liaison, Dean Auchenbach, at 717-772-5668.

Sincerely,

Larry Breech
Chairperson
Agricultural Advisory Board