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For Immediate Release
March 27, 2002
Senate Approves White’s Bills to Aid Elk Farmers
Harrisburg
– The state Senate approved two bills sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21)
that would aid area elk farmers.
A third
bill in the package is still before committee.
Senate
Bills 1156 and 1157 would amend the definitions of “agricultural
animal” and “livestock” to include elk or red deer raised on farms. Elk are
farmed for meat, velvet and other products.
“Elk raised
on farms are more like cattle and sheep – they’re not game animals, and
shouldn’t be treated as such by the Commonwealth,” said White. “Elk farmers in my district have told me
that, with a few changes in the law, elk farming can become a more prosperous
field.”
A third bill,
Senate Bill 1158, would transfer the regulatory jurisdiction for farmed elk
from the joint authority of the Department of Agriculture and the Game
Commission to the state Department of Agriculture. Sen. White has been meeting
with state officials to work out an agreement to transfer oversight.
Senate Bill
1158 is before the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee. Senate Bills 1156 and
1157 now go before the House of Representatives.
CONTACT:
Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684
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