COLUMBUS (November 29, 2001) — Before hundreds of farmers from nearly every county in Ohio, Governor Bob Taft today highlighted new anti-terrorism safeguards to protect the state’s agriculture and livestock industries. “We are doing all that we can to protect Ohioans – and that includes guarding our agriculture products and food supply,” Taft said. “I commend the people who are working hard to make sure our food is safe for us to eat.” Taft made the remarks at the 83rd Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Columbus.
He emphasized the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been placed on full-alert and outlined various security measures implemented since September 11th including: * ODA veterinarians, livestock inspectors and other field personnel have been increasingly vigilant in watching for potential follow-up acts of terrorism on the farm and in the livestock markets; * ODA microbiologists are assisting the Ohio Department of Health in anthrax testing; and * In cooperation with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture, ODA is training local and state government officials in agriculture biosecurity measures to help prevent the accidental spread of animal diseases. Taft also spoke about efforts to help Ohio’s farmers and their families. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting legislation and economic development incentives to help farmers build an ethanol plant in Ohio. He has signed legislation to reform Ohio’s “death” taxes to help preserve Ohio’s family-owned farms. The State also has provided $5 million in drought assistance to help livestock producers recover from the devastating effects of the 1999 drought, and set aside $200 million of the tobacco settlement funds to ensure that Ohio’s tobacco growers find other profitable opportunities.