Stop ACRE!

PA Gov. Rendell wants to overturn local, democratic decisions.

On August 10, 2004, the Rendell Administration unveiled a new initiative – entitled “ACRE” (Agriculture, Communities, and Rural Environment). Part of that new initiative consists of a proposal to create an Agricultural Review Board composed of political appointees empowered to overturn local laws adopted by rural communities.

As drafted, the proposal enables the State Board to nullify local Ordinances adopted to control the siting and operation of corporate factory farms. It appears that the Board would also have the authority to review Ordinances adopted to regulate the land application of sewage sludge. In all instances, the Board would be empowered to issue administrative orders stopping municipal governments from adopting or enforcing factory farm or sludge Ordinances.

The Legislation

• Text of the ACRE Legislation (HB 1646)
• Bill Information Page (check on bill status here)

Overview of ACRE

• Talking Points in Opposition to the Rendell Administration’s “ACRE” Initiative and its’ Agricultural Review Board
• Fact Sheet: ACRE Legislation — A Threat to Rural Communities

Analysis of ACRE Legislation

• Making Farm Policy in PA That Supports Family Farms, Not Corporate Farms (PDF version)
• Memorandum analyzing ACRE legislation
• Briefing Paper on Rendell Administration’s Proposal to Establish an Agricultural Review Board With Legal Authority to Override Local Control
• Legal Analysis of Proposed Amendments to House Bill 1646

Organizing Materials:

• Anti-ACRE tri-fold brochure
• Action Alert for Township Supervisors
• Sample Resolution for Township Supervisors
• PA Family Farm Coalition letter to State Representatives

Political Opposition to ACRE:

• PA State Association of Township Supervisors opposes ACRE (June 3, 2005)
• Farm Advocacy Groups endorse PA Family Farm Coalition’s Opposition to ACRE

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Last modified: 21 June 2005

http://actionpa.org/acre/