Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/30/2002 09:46 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 353(RES)
"An Act relating to the labeling of animal and poultry feeds
and to the agriculture program coordinator; and providing for
an effective date."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
JANE WINEINGER, Staff to Senator Green, testified this bill relates
to agricultural programs and creates an Agricultural Coordinator
position within the Division of Agriculture to oversee organic crop
inspections, feed labeling and noxious weeds.
Ms. Wineinger noted Alaska is the only state without a feed
labeling process and that currently some feed imports into the
State contain weed seeds. She asserted Alaska has a problem with
noxious weeds, although not as serious as in other Western states
that must spend millions of dollars on eradication. She instructed
how noxious weeds impact the agriculture lands, railroad right-of-
ways, and hunting lands.
PETER FELLMAN, Staff to Representative John Harris, testified via
teleconference from Delta, that the industry requested assistance
in this matter. He told that as the agriculture industry has grown
in the State, the issue of noxious weeds has increased; however,
little funding has been provided to the Division of Agriculture.
Mr. Fellman informed that the federal government changed the
standards regarding the definition of organic and this legislation
would update State statutes to match the federal provisions. He
stated the Agricultural Coordinator would monitor the farmers to
ensure they meet the organic standards.
Mr. Fellman reiterated Alaska is the only state that does not
monitor the labeling of feed. He stressed that with the outbreaks
of mad cow disease, feed labeling has become important. He
expressed intent to verify that feed producers in Alaska are using
the ingredients they claim, as well as ensuring that rendered
animal parts, which could include contaminants, are not used.
Mr. Fellman listed the third purpose of the Agricultural
Coordinator to control noxious and invasive weeds. He noted that in
the previous year, funding was secured to attempt to control
noxious and advancing weeds. He specified Canadian Sow Thistle, a
hearty three to six foot tall rhizome plant that is difficult to
eradicate and kills grass. He noted the plant has migrated north
and is present in the Fairbanks area. He expressed concern that
this weed would endanger native plant species.
Mr. Fellman warned that addressing the problem immediately is the
only way to control these weeds without expending millions of
dollars. He indicated efforts have begun, but that a statewide
coordination is necessary. He also spoke of the importance of
documenting the presence of invasive weeds to obtain federal
funding to address the matter.
Mr. Fellman admitted the fiscal note is significant, but cautioned
that if the problems are not controlled the long-term costs would
be considerably higher.
Senator Ward moved to adopt CS SB 353, 22-LS1663\J, as a working
draft
Senator Olson objected.
Senator Olson asked the number of mill feed operations in the
State.
Mr. Fellman listed three and noted Alaska Mill and Feed has voiced
support of this legislation.
ROBERT WELLS, Director, Division of Agriculture, Department of
Natural Resources, testified via teleconference from an off-net
site in Palmer to note there might be an additional mill feed
operator.
Senator Olson asked about input from other operators.
Mr. Wells answered that the only business that has offered an
opinion on this legislation has been Alaska Mill and Feed.
Mr. Wells did not anticipate any opposition from the manufacturers,
noting they currently label products in accordance to the laws of
the State of Washington. He assured the Division "is committed to
working with the feed producers," and he was confident the
Department could establish an effective working relationship with
industry and not impose onerous regulations on the businesses. He
emphasized the feed labeling issue has arisen due to concerns about
rendering plants and the contents of food fed to animals. He shared
that the Federal Drug Administration has indicated the State
Division should have greater participation in the monitoring of
feed manufacturers.
AT EASE 9:58 AM / 10:01 AM
Senator Olson stated his intent to hear directly from industry on
this legislation, as it is their livelihood that is affected by the
feed they produce.
Co-Chair Kelly asked if Senator Olson had specific objections with
the provision in the proposed committee substitute.
Senator Olson had no specific objection to the committee
substitute.
A roll call was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Senator Ward, Senator Wilken, Senator Austerman, Senator
Green, Senator Hoffman, Senator Leman, Senator Olson, Co-Chair
Donley and Co-Chair Kelly
OPPOSED: none
The motion PASSED (9-0)
The committee substitute was ADOPTED as a working draft.
Senator Ward expressed he was unsure whether he clarified his
motion to adopt the committee substitute as a working document and
surmised this caused confusion.
Senator Hoffman understood that Senator Olson's concern is with
passing this bill from Committee without input from the feed
producers.
Co-Chair Kelly announced he would hold the bill in Committee to
allow members an opportunity to solicit opinions from feed
producers.
Senator Green referenced a University of Alaska report titled
"Strategic Plan for Noxious and Invasive Plants Management in
Alaska". She stressed did not want the weed situation to advance
and become as serious as in other states.
Co-Chair Kelly asked if there is a similar bill pending in the
House of Representatives.
Senator Green affirmed.
Senator Austerman asked if this legislation also addresses seed
products imported to the State for planting and whether it would
provide for certification of the absence of noxious weed seed in
these products.
Senator Green affirmed.
Mr. Wells furthered that the Division "encourages" that imported
seed be certified. He understood that feed labeling requirements in
other states require disclosure of purity and germination rates. He
noted that farmers are "pretty cautious" about the seeds planted to
avoid weed infestation in their fields.
Senator Leman commented he is "skittish" about adding new State
positions, especially those established in statute. However, he
understood the necessity of this position and the importance of it
serving an advisory function rather than having the authority to
close an industry. He hoped this position could be shared with the
University of Alaska, Cooperative Extension Service, Plant
Materials Center, to allow maximized resource and minimized cost.
He expressed intent to pursue this option.
Amendment #1: This amendment provides that Section 7 of this
committee substitute, which stipulates that this legislation does
not apply to meat, fish or poultry, take effect July 1, 2002. This
amendment also inserts a new Section 14 to provide that Section 8,
AS 03.60.006. Agriculture program coordinator, of the committee
substitute take effect January 1, 2003.
Senator Leman moved for adoption.
There was no objection and the amendment was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Kelly suggested Senator Olson communicate with Mr. Fellman
regarding his concerns about the impacts of this legislation on
industry. Co-Chair Kelly appreciated Senator Olson's considerations
for their interests.
Co-Chair Kelly ordered the bill HELD in Committee.
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