Pennsylvania is an animal agriculture state. Animal processing and production is a $34.6 billion industry that supports, directly and indirectly, nearly 140,000 jobs in the commonwealth.
This industry, worth billions to Pennsylvaniaâs economy, could be taken out in a heartbeat with one animal health pandemic like weâre experiencing today with COVID-19.
Bouncing back from disaster, such as an animal disease outbreak, is only possible if we collaboratively jump into action with a timely response.
Emergency response through an emergency declaration issued by Pennsylvaniaâs Executive Branch is apolitical for a reason. Inserting politics and debates slows response time, inhibits immediate collaborative coordination of resources, and puts necessary federal support funds out of reach.