| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 19, 1999 | Patrick Condon (651-296-2317) |
ST. PAUL Rep. Bob Gunther has authored or co-authored a number of important agriculture-related bills this legislative session, recognizing the role the Legislature can play in offering opportunity to the state's struggling farm community.
"Agriculture is what drives the economic development in the rural communities around the state," Gunther said. "Sometimes, the state can play a role in fostering that. As the representative of a rural district, it's my role to let my colleagues know about that."
Here is a list of some of the agriculture-related bills that Gunther has sponsored or co- sponsored this legislative session:
House File 251: Would exempt agricultural loans from the mortgage registry tax.
House File 414: This bill appropriates $1.5 million to the Board of Animal Health, for spending to eliminate the Pseudo-Rabies Virus currently striking swine herds, especially in southwestern Minnesota. Up until the last few months, Pseudo-Rabies had been nearly eradicated in Minnesota, but a number of factors contributed to a sudden spike in the number of cases recently. The $1.5 million would provide for testing and vaccinations to eradicate the disease once and for all. The House passed this legislation in February; it awaits action in the Senate.
House File 838: Would appropriate from state funds a yet-to-be-determined amount of money for soybean disease and genetics research. "In the last few years, average yields from soybeans have been negatively affected by diseases and plant pests that are becoming increasingly difficult to control," Gunther said. "This would help us get a handle on this growing problem."
House File 1050: Would appropriate from state funds $500,000 over the next two years
(more)
for grants to the Board of Rural Policy and Development Center at Mankato State University.
House File 1088: Would appropriate $1.6 million to the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, to be used for research aimed at the elimination of wheat and barley scab, soybean mold and other crop diseases.
House File 2054: Would set up a 14-member Dairy Farming Task Force, with a goal of providing a strategic plan for Minnesota's residents and public officials to make Minnesota the number one dairy state in the nation. "The state has experienced a dramatic downturn in milk production, and the long-term viability of the dairy industry in the state is threatened," Gunther said. "I hope this board could help increase the understanding among public officials and the general public of the challenges that currently face our dairy industry." The board would be made up of: The chairmen of the agriculture committees in the state House and Senate; two Republican and two Democrat members of the House; two Republican and two Democrat members of the Senate; an agricultural economist appointed by the governor; two dairy farmers appointed by the governor; and a representative of Minnesota's dairy processors, appointed by the governor.
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