Bill on Canadian cattle trucks passes House
Washington Ag Today March 9, 2011 Commercial cattle trucks that come into Washington’s Pend Oreille and Spokane counties from Idaho and Canada would be required to stop at a port of entry for inspection or face a one-thousand dollar fine under a bill that has been approved by the House of Representatives. The fines collected would be used for road maintenance in those counties. Representative Matt Shea, the author of House Bill 1922 spoke on the House Floor. Shea: “In Spokane Valley there are between 275 and 300 cattle trucks that come through that county every week. We just want to make sure that they stop at the port of entry and are complying with our laws through the State Patrol.” Shea said a port of entry is located inside the Washington border along Interstate 90 but many out-of-state cattle truck drivers who are aware of that inspection station have opted to enter Washington using Highway 290 to north. Not only is the traffic an issue but Shea said he’s also concerned that by avoiding inspection disease could be introduced into Washington cattle. The bill was approved on a 98 to zero vote and moved on to the Senate. The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s draft plan to protect Pacific salmon from six pesticides including 2-4-D. The agency concluded that the effects of products containing 2-4-D are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of some listed fish and destroy or adversely impact designated habitat. Comments must be submitted to the EPA by April 5th. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ? ?
