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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole
Reigelman |
State Rep. Mark Cohen |
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Cohen wants more funding for food safety inspections
House bill and budget amendment would bolster Agriculture Department’s testing
HARRISBURG, May 16 – Appalled by recent incidents of contaminated pet food that affected his family, state Rep. Mark Cohen is introducing legislation, as well as a budget amendment, that would add $100,000 to the Department of Agriculture’s appropriation to improve food testing procedures.
Cohen, D-Phila., said the primary focus of his bill (H.B 1326) would be to expand the ability of the state Department of Agriculture to test food, feed, fertilizer, pesticides and pet food. Secondarily, the bill would call on the Agriculture Department to share useful information with the state departments of Health, Environmental Protection and other related agencies.
The budget amendment would serve the same function, Cohen said.
“In order to accomplish its duty of testing food products completely and correctly, it is critical that the Department of Agriculture have the necessary resources,” Cohen said. “I understand firsthand the stress and anxiety of having a pet consume contaminated food. Recently, my family dog became ill, but survived, after eating pet food that was later recalled.
“The agency responsible for food inspection has an enormous responsibility for the health and safety of our communities and should be provided adequate funding to accomplish its mission.”
The $100,000 appropriation included in Cohen legislation would go toward the Department of Agriculture hiring more staff and providing more support services that would allow for enhanced testing capability.
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