10/27/08 WSU's state budget request for ag

Washington Ag October 27, 2008 When state lawmakers gather in Olympia in January for a regular session Washington State University will be asking them for four million dollars for the next biennium to address emerging agricultural issues. Dan Bernado, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, says that request focuses on four areas, diseases and pests such as honey bee colony collapse, food borne illness, precision agriculture and; Bernardo: "The final component is one that really addresses some critical needs at our research and extension centers to provide us some additional operating resources to keep those units afloat, for lack of a better term." Given the state budget situation and economic conditions Dean Bernardo acknowledges it will be tough sledding getting money from the legislature. Bernardo: "But I think our legislature is very supportive of agriculture and this really does address emerging issues in agriculture. This is not a request to do more of the same. So, these are high priority problems." WSU will also be asking for 6.4 million dollars for the School for Global Animal Health. I'm Bob Hoff.