I am writing to acknowlite my support of the Dezoned Grimal Protection Act (HR. 443.). When an animal is clowned, it is impossibl to move it humanely, and command are trapped with chains. Adowned animal is pupper for hours or days, and many often left to die of nefect. Also, slaughtering downed ammals is a was to human health. letter It is unconscionable to allow these abwass to Continue. I hope you will forward, my to be included in the hearing record at button University on April 3. Member Sincerely. 3, Richard Stacks Chief Clark 408 Belaker Ridge Rd. Waynesburg 4 15370 March 22, 2000 1. House Committee on Cigreculture B01 Longworth Brulding Washington, DC 20513 Please accept my enclosed statement for consideration as testamimy befored House Committee on Aegreculture the hearing on farm policy at Butytown Pennsylvania Aptel 3rd. My hand I are typical aspire to have a profitabile business. I've have personally been involved in this industry for twenty five years of shes productie. Omahy generations rich history in this industry, which is declining now. We also produce and machet hay en addition to lamb and For many years I have been involved Statement of Janet Mawhinney Committee on Agriculture U.S. House of Representatives My husband and I operate a sheep farm in Southwestern Pennsylvania on a Century Farm that has been in my family since 1814. I am the sixth generation of my family to be involved in the sheep industry. Currently our flock consists of 80 ewes, and this year's crop of 180 lambs. We market seedstock and market ready lambs. As much of agriculture today is in a very serious economic situation, so is the nation's sheep industry. The wool market worldwide is severely depressed. In Pennsylvania, a portion of the 1999 wool clip remains unsold, and the prices received last year did not cover the cost of shearing. I appreciate the agriculture leadership of Congress Another point that needs to be made is that farmers and ranchers individually and even collectively have no control over international currency exchange rates, trade policies and agriculture support programs of foreign nations. These issues dramaticaly impact our industry in the U.S. Our country is the market 1 Janet Mawhinney of choice for lamb and wool exporters from around the world. The European Union continues to provide over $2 billion in government supports to their sheep producers, and the European Union maintains permenent quotas on lamb imports to their member countries. Sheep inventories in Europe have not experienced the severe decline in numbers that we have in the U.S. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, if we cannot change the sheep support programs of Europe and level the playing field then we really need to consider providing equitable programs for U.S. producers. As you take on this difficult but important task of devising the U.S. agriculture support policy, I urge your consideration of providing equity for crops such as lamb and wool in a safety net. The best and toughest sheep farmers and ranchers are left now. We are committed to investing in Our business, and are utilizing or investigating every tool we can find including cooperatives, processing ventures, quality improvement programs, and marketing and promotion support. We are committed to changing our industry as demonstrated by the industry adjustment plan approved by the sheep industry this past year. However, our efforts depend on sufficient revenue from lamb and wool sales to make these investments. I fear that continued losses in the wool market will impede our ability to make those investments. My sincere thanks to the Committee for its support of the American Sheep Industry Asociation's successful section 201 case regarding the flood of lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand. The Committee is to be commended for helping the U.S. strictly enforces our trade aggrements. The trade relief implemented in July of 1999 is for three years, a temporary measure to help our industry improve our competitive situation for lamb. The assistance portion of the 201 package has yet to be implemented though and we ask for your continued efforts with the Administration to deliver the various loan, payment, animal health and purchase programs as committed last July. The These programs do not include wool. The wool situatuon 2 Janet Mawhinney these factors are beyoud the control fo the producers. In addition to your consideration this year of including safety net provisions for wool, I also ask for your continued leadership and strong support for the USDA Wildlife Services program in the FY 2001 appropriations. As the Committee is aware, predator control accross the country is one of the most costly expenses in the sheep industry. The federal program for professional management of wildlife damage is a key partner with the county, state, and private entities, The Administration's budget released last month calls for a reduction in the Wildlife Services program which places increased burden on farmers and ranchers and local governments in managing the damage to agriculture from wildlife. In Pennsylvania, this reduction could severely impact Wildlife Services support to the airports, playgrounds, and recreational areas that help improve safety in these areas. The U.S. House of Representatives has had to defeat appropriation measures to eliminate/reduce funding for Wildlife Services for each of the last four years. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, if the animal rights groups that push the elimination of Wildlife Services program are successful in the U.S. House of Representatives, the urban/suburban areas, airports, and livestock industry in Pennsylvania are injeopardy. Thank You for your attention to this statement. 3 Janet Mawhinney |