Gov. Wolf Addresses Animal Pandemic Threats In PA

PENNSYLVANIA — Coronavirus is not the only illness that necessitates a swift government response, state officials argue, as they continue to mount a defense of the governor's emergency powers, which could be significantly cut by voters deciding the matter on ballot questions during this May's primary.

Dangerously infectious animal diseases like High Path Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and many others exist overseas, and if they were found "anywhere" in the United States, officials in Pennsylvania said they would need to react instantly.

"Pennsylvania’s animal agriculture industry is worth billions to our economy," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said Tuesday. "But could be taken out in a heartbeat with one animal health pandemic like we’re experiencing today with COVID-19."

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Republicans have made curbing Gov. Wolf's powers a touchstone of their campaigns over the past year, and have sought to rally virus fatigue and frustrations over the economic shutdown into public support for measures that would limit what the office of the governor is able to do. Specifically, they want to limit what the governor can do without the approval of the state legislature, a unilateral power they argue Wolf has abused.

Redding, citing the state's $34.6 billion animal agricultural industry that supports 26,000 jobs, said this could be a very costly mistake. In China, 50 percent of their hog population was lost to African Swine Fever in 2018, and another 30 percent was lost in a fresh wave in early 2021, with devastating economic consequences.

"Inserting politics into emergency response, like is proposed with the constitutional amendments on the ballot, will slow response time and put critical resources and cross-agency collaboration out of reach for the industry we all rely on," he added.

During the pandemic, Gov. Wolf, like governors around the nation, utilized emergency powers to shut down the economy and many sectors of society in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. Such decision must be instant, added State Rep. Steve Malagari, who represents some of Pennsylvania's largest meat processors in Montgomery County.

"In times like that, there is no time to debate how to respond, however difficult those decisions might be," Malagari said.

Republicans maintain that this debate, however brief, is essential. They also argue that the move is necessitated by Wolf's lack of transparency with the General Assembly.

"Our governor has refused to discuss his moves and his strategies with the legislature – your representatives in our government," State Sen. Bob Mensch said.

The Pennsylvania primary is May 18.