Connecticut lawmakers propose creating new committee to focus on agricultural issues, help grow state's US$3.5B agricultural industry

Andrew Rogers

HARTFORD, Connecticut , February 2, 2012 (Associated Press) – Two Republican state lawmakers are calling on Connecticut legislative leaders to create a new committee that would focus only on agricultural issues.

State Sen. John Kissel of Enfield and Rep. Penny Bacchiocchi (Bah-kee-AH'-kee) of Somers said the state needs to do more to help grow its $3.5 billion agricultural industry. A new Select Committee on Agriculture, they said, would set an agriculture policy and make sure that one committee is focusing solely on the issues affecting farming, dairy products and domestic animals.

Currently the legislature's Environment Committee is one of the few committees that act on agricultural matters.

The two lawmakers are holding a news conference at the Legislative Office Building on Thursday to discuss their proposal. They'll be joined by a farmer, a nursery owner, and various agriculture advocates.

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