State Senator Phil Haines was appointed by Senate President Richard J. Codey to represent New Jersey on the Agriculture Committee at the Council of State Governments’ annual meeting.
Senator Haines, a resident of Springfield, earned the appointment for his extensive agriculture experience.
In his youth, Haines spent his summers working on the family farm in Burlington County.
“I am familiar with the work and the challenges of running a farm in New Jersey,” said Senator Haines. “And I am dedicated to assuring the state’s farmers can continue to afford to operate here in the Garden State.”
The Council of State Governments holds its 48th annual meeting this week in Atlantic City.
The CSG meeting brings together legislators from all over the country and Canada to discuss the challenges and trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts elected and appointed officials to emerging social, economic and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions, and advocates multi-state problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness.
“We’re going to look at what we can do, as legislators, to ensure that our farmers have the access to the science and technology necessary to meet the growing demands for a safe, reliable, affordable food supply,” said Senator Haines. “And the first step is making it possible for farmers to stay in business.”
Haines and the Agriculture Committee will discuss implementation of the farm bill, the critical shortage of large-animal veterinarians in the Northeast, the appropriate role of government in agricultural viability, and the state of dairy farming.
“The landscape is changing for farmers all over the country, and our farmers in New Jersey face unique challenges as they struggle to survive alongside residential and commercial development, and to compete with larger corporate farms in the global economy,” said Senator Haines.
The scarcity of large-animal veterinarians is an issue that packs a powerful punch on the Burlington County region represented by Senator Haines.
“The equine industry is so important to this area, and without trained, skilled veterinarians to care for the horses, it will be impossible to sustain the viability of these farms and stables,” said Senator Haines.
“There is a national shortage of large-animal vets, but in New Jersey, where we don’t have any Veterinarian School programs, it is even worse,” Senator Haines stated. “It can cost well over $100,000 to go to school to become a veterinarian, and New Jersey residents, who have to go out of state to be educated, are forced to pay even more for non-resident seats in these programs, when they are available.”
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