Proclamation signed for Farm Safety and Health Week September 21-27, 2008
FRANKFORT, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear today presented University of Kentucky Livestock Disease and Diagnostic Center officials with a ceremonial check for $20,000,000. The funds were provided by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and will be used to renovate and expand existing space to meet the most up-to-date standards for health and biosecurity.
“The investment in this facility is key to supporting animal agriculture, a vital part of Kentucky’s economy. The state’s world-class equine and livestock industries, as well as robust and growing poultry and small ruminant industries, require vigilance in disease surveillance and diagnosis,” Gov. Beshear said. “I’m pleased the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board funds were available to make this important project a reality.”
The Livestock Disease and Diagnostic Center is a full service animal diagnostic facility that helps identify infectious diseases, identify regulatory diseases, provides the means to meet export sales requirements and provides an early warning system for impending epidemics.
In the 2005 legislative session, the University of Kentucky received $8.5 million in general fund dollars for the planning, digester design and purchase, and the design of the pre-treatment facility. In the 2009-2010 budget, a $20,000,000 bond was authorized with the debt service provided from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. The bond proceeds will be used to make improvements to the facility including the addition of much needed space for necropsy laboratories and administrative offices. The construction is scheduled to be complete by 2010, nearly doubling the size of the 38,000 square foot building.
At the conclusion of the ground breaking ceremonies Gov. Beshear, along with Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer, signed a proclamation declaring September 21-27, 2008 Farm Safety and Health Week in Kentucky.
“I urge all Kentuckians to be aware of the risks involved with farming and the importance of keeping our farmers safe,” said Gov. Beshear. “We need to continue to focus on agriculture’s vibrant future, making the health and safety of our farmers and farm workers among our highest priorities.”
“Safety on the farm is everyone’s responsibility,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “One careless moment can end a life or change it forever. I urge all Kentuckians who work on the farm to take that extra step that will keep them and their loved ones safe.”
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Home Safety Program goes to every county to give safety information and to stage mock rescues from tractor, ATV and lawn mower accidents using local emergency personnel. The program uses a one-of-a-kind rollover tractor simulator to demonstrate the use of a rollover protection structure (ROPS). It also uses a miniature wagon and grain bin in its demonstrations.
Farming-related fatalities in Kentucky have declined from 50 in 1995 to 18 in 2006, the last year for which statistics are available. The Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program reported that Kentucky had 14 farming-related deaths in 2007.
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