Public Comments for 01/26/2022 Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources - Agriculture Subcommittee
HB314 - Noxious weeds and invasive plants; dissemination of consumer information.
SUPPORT HB1176 to prohibit the use of snare/steel traps of any circumference. Such traps cruelty and indiscriminately harm. Though they may be intended for nuisance animal control, they are equally as likely to kill or maim family pets, birds, game animals. Left unattended, as is required for their effectiveness, results in a horrid capture or death. Other, better, methods are available to protect livestock.
SUPPORT HB1061 to limit the size of research breeding operations. Large scale operations in factory farming of dogs have shown to be prone to animal welfare violations, including the current facility located in VA. While a limited number of research animals still may be needed by VA's veterinary schools to train the next generations of vets, prohibiting sales to foreign countries limits animals' potential of being placed in animal testing facilities performing tests which are in conflict with VA's no animal testing for cosmetics law, and other ethically questionable research.
SUPPORT HB1061 to limit the size of research breeding operations. Large scale operations in factory farming of dogs have shown to be prone to animal welfare violations, including the current facility located in VA. While a limited number of research animals still may be needed by VA's veterinary schools to train the next generations of vets, prohibiting sales to foreign countries limits animals' potential of being placed in animal testing facilities performing tests which are in conflict with VA's no animal testing for cosmetics law, and other ethically questionable research.
I support HB 1029 and 311, and 323. I oppose HB 189. I have concerns about HB 314 and 491 - namely, why does being "commercially significant" exempt a non-native plant from being deemed a noxious weed? I am also concerned about HB 351. I agree that encouraging motorists to choose electric vehicles is a worthy goal, but I am concerned about the emphasis on simply transitioning to electric cars when cars and the infrastructure they require, well beyond just gasoline, are themselves the problem. It isn't just about emissions, it's about the asphalt - impervious surface that aggravates flooding and heating - required to park a car regardless of how "clean" it is. It's about the unsustainable land use patterns that even clean cars necessitate. Investing in rail, sidewalks, bike paths, and diverse zoning is a far better use of resources than simply putting more electric vehicle charging stations.
Please stop this cruelty
please support HB 314. Consumers need this information to make informed decisions to protect our state from being overrun by invasive plants
Please exercise your authority to support all actions promoting the preservation of our natural resources and the protection of our environment.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Support
Clean Fairfax supports HB 311 and HB 314 because they are the environmentally responsible actions for Virginia and are great opportunities to celebrate the Commonwealth's native species, which in turn supports Virginia’s wildlife and especially pollinators which support our substantial farming industry. These bills also help eliminate the noxious invasive species (by reducing opportunities for purchase when alternatives are available) that put the Commonwealth at risk for losing native flora and fauna.
Please stop animal cruelty!
I wish to encourage support for all legislation that enhances the protections of all animals and improves the quality of life of animals. Additionally, I encourage support for all legislation that is intended to improve our society's dedication and action to reduce the man-made conditions leading to climate change.
pass all of the laws above
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
HB373 - County or city public animal shelters; return of animals after expiration of stray hold period.
I live across the street from a wildlife management area. Please don't allow hunting on Sunday. It is the only day of the week when there is any peace and quiet for me, my pets and the wildlife during hunting season.
Please email the above mentioned bills to me.
I would like it if you would vote on these laws for the animals. Be their voice.
SUPPORT HB1176 to prohibit the use of snare/steel traps of any circumference. Such traps cruelty and indiscriminately harm. Though they may be intended for nuisance animal control, they are equally as likely to kill or maim family pets, birds, game animals. Left unattended, as is required for their effectiveness, results in a horrid capture or death. Other, better, methods are available to protect livestock.
SUPPORT HB1061 to limit the size of research breeding operations. Large scale operations in factory farming of dogs have shown to be prone to animal welfare violations, including the current facility located in VA. While a limited number of research animals still may be needed by VA's veterinary schools to train the next generations of vets, prohibiting sales to foreign countries limits animals' potential of being placed in animal testing facilities performing tests which are in conflict with VA's no animal testing for cosmetics law, and other ethically questionable research.
SUPPORT HB1061 to limit the size of research breeding operations. Large scale operations in factory farming of dogs have shown to be prone to animal welfare violations, including the current facility located in VA. While a limited number of research animals still may be needed by VA's veterinary schools to train the next generations of vets, prohibiting sales to foreign countries limits animals' potential of being placed in animal testing facilities performing tests which are in conflict with VA's no animal testing for cosmetics law, and other ethically questionable research.
Snares and steel jaw traps are disgusting. Too many innocent animals are being caught and die horrible deaths. Chewing off legs to get loose. People walking through the woods can get caught too. Make them outlawed and get rid of them. Also animals are not disposable and should never be used for experimenting. Would you like your cat or dog stolen and sold to labs and be blinded or other disgusting testing done on ? Yes there are lots of homeless animals but promote more on neutering or spaying. Stop animal testing please !!
On behalf of American Bird Conservancy and our supporters across Virginia, I am writing to urge your opposition to HB 373, a bill “relating to county or city public animal shelters; return of animals after expiration of stray hold period.” While American Bird Conservancy appreciates the intent of Del. Graves, this bill would undermine ongoing stakeholder dialogues, initiated at the request of the 2021 General Assembly, to identify appropriate cat management solutions for Virginia. Consequently, I ask that you please oppose HB 373.
Nothing
It’s hard to believe that these items are still in question. Animal testing and traps/snares are barbaric . With modern technology, there should be no use for animal research which IS animal cruelty. Do you have a family pet? A child, grandchild, sibling? What would happen if they saw a video of what goes on in industrial farming, animal testing labs/facilities and knew you didn’t do anything to stop it. These are feeling, loving living organisms that feel pain and fear. Small caliber guns are likely to make the animal suffer if shot at long range. Breeders should be curtailed and not allowed to sell animals for testing. There should be more fail safes to prevent shops and zoos from neglecting or harming wildlife in their care. In all of the issues, I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
NA
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
Protection of Land, Water, Air, Soil and all animals is up to us and for future generations a must.
I volunteer with a local cat rescue so I know about TNR, which this bill essentially supports if the cats are returned to the street. The average life span for a feral cat is 1-2 years. Living on the street is a short, brutal life. These animals are prey to people, stray dogs, coyotes, raccoons, and other predators. They get hit by cars. They carry infectious disease that they can pass on to other cats (including your outdoor cat) like feline AIDS, feline leukemia and feline distemper. They carry parasites that you can pick up while you garden. They are used as bait for dog fighting. Loose cats are responsible for the death of millions of birds each year which is estimated to be only 20 percent of the wildlife they kill. I could go on but the reality is that once a cat is in a safe environment they should stay there. Many people (and remember people can be very cruel) just dump their cats in feral colonies. I see this all the time with my rescue group. Domestic cats, whether feral or not, are NOT a normal part of the fauna. That's why they are called domestic cats. And as such they should be kept indoors at all times. Once captured they are safe and need to stay that way. Please vote against this bill. It is a bad idea and certainly NOT the solution to overcrowded shelters.
This bill is horrible idea. The damage that feral cats do to nature is horrendous. Just look at Australia and the numerous amount of native birds and lizards they have made extinct. Cats are said to be responsible for 20 some species being wiped from the planet. Cats are a man made problem and no cat should be returned and should be euthanized upon capture. I would go as far as to say we should be able to harvest/destroy any cat not wearing a collar or marking. I am a trapper and have a large industrial chicken farm that I predator control for. My number one problem animal in chicken houses killing chickens isn't a wild native, it's cats. Virginia laws allow me to destroy any animals predating on livestock.. every cat that I have caught has had the ear tag.. proving that they are nothing but feral and a big problem even after they can't breed. A cat has no place in nature all they do is destroy infact they can kill as many as 26 birds a week ..... Native birds ... That belong here . I would ask the committee to strick down this bill as it will only harm nature and farmers .
My name is Heidi Crosky and I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance. We are asking that you please oppose HB 373 in regards to cats. While we are sure this bill is well-intentioned, it is irresponsible. A private citizen of Virginia would NEVER be allowed to abandon an animal in such a manner. Fixing the cat does not feed, water, or shelter it. It also does not provide emergency vet care. There would be public outrage if anyone tried to do this with dogs. Secondly, the bill ignores the many problems that feral and stray cats cause. Are the county and city public animal shelters willing to pay for the financial damages after releasing these cats back into Virginia's communities? Ultimately, this bill fails to recognize that feral and stray cats are a liability to citizens. Under 3.2--6500 a feral cat is defined as a COMPANION animal. Citizens continue to be defined as the owners of feral cats if they "harbor" them on their property. This means that if the cat is in less than perfect health, citizens can be charged with neglect and cruelty. The members of VAOA have seen first-hand how a fellow animal owner was held responsible for feral cats that lived on his property even though the folks with the Animal Law Unit could not catch them all! The feral cat issue is a problem, but this bill is not the answer. We ask our legislators to strongly oppose this bill and work with the citizens of Virginia to find a better solution. Heidi Crosky Virginia Animal Owners Alliance 276-637-6652 www.virginiaanimalownersalliance.com
HB467 - Dangerous and vicious dogs; civil liability, knowledge of propensity not required.
Please email the above mentioned bills to me.
I urge support of HB 1029, the greatest threat to wildlife is humans, esp autos. I support HB 1061, HB 1350, HB 255, HB 523, we do not need animal research in the form of dogs cats or other larger animals. If Pigs are used (because of their hearts) they should be treated humanely. I am totally for HB 1175, 1176, HB725. Trapping or snaring animals, esp with a steel trap is vicious and cruel. They should be banned. No civilized country does this. Zoos and Petting zoos (HB53) should be prohibited. There is no need for this and exotic animals should be left alone. Besides if someone wants to see an animal, they can go to the internet. I support HB467, owners need to be held responsible. HB1330, why are all dogs and cats not required to be chipped, they should be. thank you regards Gerald Bowman
Support this bill. Insurance companies are always not going to support having to pay. Should be a no bite. One strike is enough.
Nothing
It is at my urging that Delegate Bulova is championing this bill and it stems from an actual incident. My young adult (age 26) stepson was delivering food to a single family home in Fairfax County when the unchained, unleashed, and unfenced homeowner's dog rushed him and bit him causing a puncture wound necessitating INOVA emergency care that cost my wife a $100 out of pocket co-pay. Had we not had health insurance the emergency visit would have cost us $1300. The homeowner steadfastly refused to reimburse my wife this expense despite repeated written requests so my wife brought a small claims action (CV20017179-00) against the homeowner. Although the judge and those witnessing the proceedings in the courtroom were sympathetic, my wife and I and, I daresay, the onlookers were stunned when the judge announced that because of Virginia's one-bite rule, she was forced to rule for the defendant! Although the judge parenthetically remarked that an honorable person would have reimbursed my wife for the medical expenses she incurred, upon hearing the court's ruling, the defendant immediately departed the courtroom and did not pay my wife the $100 nor the filing fee. It's my understanding that Virginia is a bit of an outlier when it comes to its one-bite rule and I believe it's time the Commonwealth join the majority of states in this 21st Century and rid itself of this outdated doctrine that prevents wronged and injured plaintiffs from recovering medical expenses resulting from attacks by dangerous dogs. What if instead of $100 my stepson had been more seriously injured to the cost of thousands of dollars? Would justice deny him relief? Unless the law is changed, it would seem so. Please favorably consider this bill so that others harmed by vicious dogs will not suffer the same injustice. The court complaint filed in this matter is attached.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Encouraging your support on the above bills
NA
As a trainer ,dog owner and animal welfare advocate I support these life saving Bills !
I support HB 467 As a dog breeder and hunter for over 60 years I believe dog owners are responsible for knowing the risks that any animal they own can potentially pose, as well as socializing and training their animals, just as people are responsible for acknowledging the inherent risks associated with being around animals they don't know. I also support HB1074. As a retired professor of Microbiology and Immunology I am very familiar with the risk/benefit ratio of immunizations. The rabies vaccine has been definitively linked with autoimmune reactions, notably autoimmune hemolytic anemia. An adequate rabies vaccine titer from an accredited lab should be accepted by government authority as equivalent to a repeat immunization, whether or not the animal already has a medical condition proscribing such repeat vaccination.
Please stop this heinous act.
Please stop the unnecessary killings by of the poor wildlife.We have already taken a lot of their habitat and now allowing this mass murdering of these voiceless animals by the sick people. Thank you
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
As an avid cyclist I can't tell you the number of times I have been chased by loose dogs. I am not talking about stray dogs, I am talking about people's pets. They let them out on their property without any restraints such as a fence or a leash. It's a pretty scary situation and is dangerous for both me as a cyclist and for the dog. The penalties are ridiculously light and it takes way too much time for most cyclists to pursue. I don't want to be injured by someone's negligence. Please support this bill.
Dear Committee, I encourage you to oppose HB 476 because it is unnecessary--Virginia does not have a "one free bite" law, and the dangerous dog statute does not prevent civil liability, even for a dog's first bite. Moreover, it is inappropriate to attempt to overturn Virginia's civil liability laws and case precedents with a proposed amendment to the dangerous dog statute. Virginia's laws properly balance the interests of dog owners against those injured by dogs, considering the circumstances of the incident before imposing liability. The strict liability proposed in HB 467, however, would be harmful to the public, opening localities to increased litigation risks and hampering the efforts of all rescues. Attached is a letter providing support for these points. I urge you to vote against HB 476. Best, Jessica L.A. Marks
HB491 - Noxious weeds; amends definition to exclude plants that are commercially significant.
SUPPORT HB1176 to prohibit the use of snare/steel traps of any circumference. Such traps cruelty and indiscriminately harm. Though they may be intended for nuisance animal control, they are equally as likely to kill or maim family pets, birds, game animals. Left unattended, as is required for their effectiveness, results in a horrid capture or death. Other, better, methods are available to protect livestock.
SUPPORT HB1061 to limit the size of research breeding operations. Large scale operations in factory farming of dogs have shown to be prone to animal welfare violations, including the current facility located in VA. While a limited number of research animals still may be needed by VA's veterinary schools to train the next generations of vets, prohibiting sales to foreign countries limits animals' potential of being placed in animal testing facilities performing tests which are in conflict with VA's no animal testing for cosmetics law, and other ethically questionable research.
SUPPORT HB1061 to limit the size of research breeding operations. Large scale operations in factory farming of dogs have shown to be prone to animal welfare violations, including the current facility located in VA. While a limited number of research animals still may be needed by VA's veterinary schools to train the next generations of vets, prohibiting sales to foreign countries limits animals' potential of being placed in animal testing facilities performing tests which are in conflict with VA's no animal testing for cosmetics law, and other ethically questionable research.
I support HB 1029 and 311, and 323. I oppose HB 189. I have concerns about HB 314 and 491 - namely, why does being "commercially significant" exempt a non-native plant from being deemed a noxious weed? I am also concerned about HB 351. I agree that encouraging motorists to choose electric vehicles is a worthy goal, but I am concerned about the emphasis on simply transitioning to electric cars when cars and the infrastructure they require, well beyond just gasoline, are themselves the problem. It isn't just about emissions, it's about the asphalt - impervious surface that aggravates flooding and heating - required to park a car regardless of how "clean" it is. It's about the unsustainable land use patterns that even clean cars necessitate. Investing in rail, sidewalks, bike paths, and diverse zoning is a far better use of resources than simply putting more electric vehicle charging stations.
Please vote yes on Delegate Bulova's HB 491 Noxious weeds bill including his proposed amendments as suggested by the agribusiness and nursery community. I have lived in McLean, Virginia for over 30 years and have seen how the proliferation of Invasive plant species has damaged native vegetation, destroyed native trees, and harmed wildlife in our natural areas and landscapes. I have worked extensively as a Fairfax Master Naturalist and sustainable landscape designer to mitigate the negative effects of invasive species, by restoring native habitat, regenerating landscapes, and engaging in consumer education. But much more needs to be done. Consumers are often unaware that the plants they purchase are invasive and can harm our natural areas. HB491 will help to protect consumers and our environment from the harm caused by invasive species through education and the provision of clear information. Please support HB491 to provide critical information to consumers about the damage done by invasive plants. Thank you, Barbara A. Ryan 1454 Waggaman Circle McLean, Virginia 22101
Thank for your taking the time to consider this important legislation. Invasive species do a great harm to our ecosystems, our communities, and our economies. Much of the public is not aware of the deleterious effects of these plants on the environment, and seeing only their physical beauty will often request local plant stores and landscapers to provide some of the most dangerous plants for their personal landscaping. Without the support and backing of public education and government regulation there is pressure to continue to provide these plants on demand, or to lose the business of that customer. With strong regulations prohibiting the sale of these invasive plants, we will also be providing solid backing for shops and services to start to educate their customers towards the creation of beautiful native landscapes, which benefit all of us and our wild neighbors.
We have a 400+ acre farm just northeast of Charlottesville. We raise beef cattle but also have extensive woodlands and we spend a great deal of time fighting invasives alien plants, several of which are still carried by some nurseries and most of which are available through the internet. Autumn olive, Japanese barberry, oriental bittersweet and multiflora rose are all serious problems. Until about 15 years ago there was no oriental bittersweet on our land and now it is everywhere. And new invasives keep arriving such as wavy leaf basket grass and Corydalis incisa (incised fumewort), both of which are moving into Albemarle County . I strongly urge the committee to do all it can to support this bill and help discourage the spread of these invasive plants that can crowd out or smother our native flora.
I am writing to show support of House Bill 491. Invasive plants will continue to take an environmental as well as a high fiscal toll on Virginia unless they are controlled and monitored. Making the public aware of the ramifications of their plant choices and alternative options is a service that can only help everyone involved. I hope this bill is passed so that Virginia can move toward a more effective and efficient way to address the mounting problem that invasive species/noxious plants pose to our lovely Commonwealth's physical and fiscal well-being.
I have lived in the same neighborhood in Albemarle County for over 30 years. Over the years I have learned a great deal about invasive plants in Virginia and have watched with alarm as more invasive plants have moved in to this area and many have extensively proliferated. Some of these are growing in the lovely natural areas nearby and around the Commonwealth, often damaging the native vegetation and causing harm to our native birds and other animals. We are losing the integrity of our natural areas. Many of our citizens are aware of the damage caused by these invasive plants, but many are not. This bill would provide clear information about invasive plants to our citizens, which would go a long way toward educating them. It is an approach long proposed by the horticulture community and other organizations in the green industry. Please take this important step toward educating the citizens of our Commonwealth about the damage done by invasive plants.
HB 491 – I strongly support this bill as a crucial step in an ongoing effort to mitigate the spread of invasive species throughout Virginia. Invasive species can disrupt ecosystems by displacing native plants, leading to changes in ecosystem composition and function, which in turn can reduce ecological services such as habitat for wildlife and water quality, pose economic risks to the timber industry and agriculture, and can significantly influence the ability for native ecosystems to sequester and store carbon, which directly and negatively influences climate change. While we understand the need for nurseries and garden centers to sell ornamental plants to Virginian homeowners, most homeowners do not realize the risks of planting potentially invasive species. Fortunately, there are as many native plant options for homeowners that would provide beautiful landscaping, healthy cover crops, and essential habitat for wildlife. Native landscaping, rain gardens and pollinator and bird gardens are becoming increasingly popular and could easily support the needs of commercial plant industries – no need to sell invasive species. Therefore, it is imperative that we pass this bill and restrict the sale and distribution of all potentially destructive invasive plants and allow businesses and landowners make ecologically beneficial decisions.
As a Certified Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and Tree Steward, I strongly support all the changes to the current Noxious Weed Law as stated in HB 491. I have seen too many trees killed by English Ivy (currently regularly available in many plant nurseries) that climbed up to the top, shaded them and killed them. These tall ivies then produce berries that birds carry to new, pristine areas and further the spread of this invasive vine. There are other plants such as cultivars of Callery (Bradford) Pear and Autumn Olive that should be phased out as well from the Commonwealth's nurseries, as these have also become invasive plants. There are more than enough native Virginia plants and non-invasive garden plants that nurseries can sell. so these few invasives should not be much of an economic hardship on those impacted growers. Thank you.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
- HB 491 – The Blue Ridge PRISM adamantly supports this bill as the absolute minimum step needed to begin addressing an ecological disaster damaging ecosystems all across the Commonwealth. Landowners all over the state are struggling to save their forests, fields and wildlife from the onslaught of invasive plants. Many invasive plants are introduced because they escape from deliberately planted gardens and landscapes. These plants have no natural enemies to stop them and they spread totally unimpeded across our forests and fields. We need to stop planting invasive plants, assist the nursery industry in transitioning away from growing invasive plants, and start dealing with how to get rid of these plants before Virginia native ecosystems are beyond recovery. There are roughly 35 plants listed by DCR as invasive in the state of Virginia that are still being grown by nurseries in Virginia and being sold to the public. Usually the purchasers of these plants only see the glowing descriptions of how wonderful these plants are and don't realize that these plants will be invasive and cause them problems and spread throughout their neighborhoods, causing everyone to spend immense time and money to control them. As these plants then spread into surrounding forests and replace native plants, our native wildlife has less food. These plants are invasive because they come from overseas where local animals, insects, fungi, etc. keep them in check. Here there is nothing to keep them in check and they multiple unimpeded, overrunning our native ecosystems. This is not just a plant issue. The end result is fewer insects, birds, mammals, etc. We need to stop planting these plants and work on recovering our native ecosystems. HB 491 is not the complete answer, but it will help get us moving in the right direction.
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
HB647 - Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund; established.
Manufacturers should not be responsible because of dumping of packaging by the consumer. illegal dumping is the responsibility of the locality police. Recycling allows for packaging. Because recycling exists this bill is not necessary. The consumer will end up bearing the cost.
AF&PA must respectfully oppose HB 647, HB 709, and HB 918, which would establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging. The paper industry has a demonstrated, measurable record of success in making paper and paper-based packaging more circular and sustainable through market-based approaches. Please find our written testimony attached for more details.
On behalf of the members of the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), thank you for this opportunity comment on House Bill 647, relating to establishing a packaging stewardship program in Virginia. ACC urges the committee to reject HB 647 because (1) it is not a producer-led product stewardship and (2) advanced recycling, an important technology to create a circular economy, is excluded from funding under the proposal.
Vote to allow HB 647 and HB 826 to come up for a vote .Enactment of these bills into law will definitely encourage manufacturers and customers to limit the use of plastics which have become a major problem in our city and state. Of course big business will argue to the contrary, but consider everyone's thoughtless use of plastic bottles and the damage they cause. You can do something to lesson the problem by insuring these bills go to the floor.
The Virginia Manufacturers Association supports the development and expansion of recycling and recycling infrastructure in the Commonwealth. The recovery, reuse, and recycling of packaging materials is an essential part of the manufacturing process - it reduces energy costs, environmental impacts, and often reduces consumer costs. According to the Virginia Natural Resources Scorecard, in 2019, Virginia's average recycling participation rate was 43.2 percent, a decrease from 46.1 percent (a record high) the year before. The average participation rate percentage has remained steady in the low to mid- 40s since 2010, a marked improvement since 1991 (19.7%). However, over half of localities have no recycling program at all. With this as a backdrop, compounding more regulations on manufacturers is no solution. HB647, 709, and 918 are not reasonable solutions to reducing solid waste or improving material recycling. Further, these bills were never introduced to the VA MFG Development Commission for evaluation and advocates never engaged the manufacturing sector to discuss alternatives. We ask that all parties support our goal of expanded recycling in the Commonwealth instead of expanding product liabilities on Virginia's 6,750 manufacturers. Please reject HB647, 709, and 918.
On behalf of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, please find the attached letter opposing HB647, HB709, and HB918, proposing the creation of a packaging stewardship program and fund. Thank you.
I urge the Committee to support HB647 to create a Product Stewardship program to shift the burden of product waste from consumers and localities to product manufactures. Currently localities have no control over the amount and types of waste materials and yet must bear the cost of disposing or recycling this waste. Single use plastics are particularly problematic for our cities and counties. These products are the most commonly found littered products in Virginia and have a devastating impact on our wildlife and special places. They are also costly and difficult for localities to recycle. Producer responsibility programs around the world have existed for decades and have successfully increased collection and recycling rates for the products they cover. Establishing a Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund in Virginia could more than double recycling, helping to keep more trash out of landfills, incinerators, and our environment. Such a program will also incentivize producers to reduce packaging waste and design products to be repaired, reused, and recycled.
Comments from the American Cleaning Institute on extended producer responsibility proposals.
Attached are comments from the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) on House Bills 647, 709, 918 and 826.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our respectful opposition to House Bills No. 647 and No. 918 (HB 647 and HB 918). Founded in 1933, the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) is the leading authority on foodservice packaging in North America. FPI supports the responsible use of all foodservice packaging, while advocating an open and fair marketplace for all materials. Our members include: raw material and machinery suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and purchasers of foodservice packaging. FPI represents approximately 90 percent of the industry. The foodservice packaging industry is committed to reducing the impact of its products on the environment and is dedicated to increasing their recovery. FPI has several special interest groups that bring together the supply chain to develop and promote economically viable and sustainable recovery solutions for foodservice packaging. These special interest groups include the Paper Recovery Alliance, Plastic Recovery Group, Paper Cup Alliance and Foam Recycling Coalition. More information on these groups and their efforts can be found at the following link: https://www.recyclefsp.org/. As part of our commitment to increasing the recovery of foodservice packaging, we are supportive of policy approaches that advance this effort through systems such as recycling and composting. With respect to extended producer responsibility programs, it is our view that programs should be based on the principles of shared responsibility, fairness and system effectiveness and efficiency. It is based on these principles that we are compelled to oppose HB 647 and HB 918. As drafted, we are concerned that the Packaging Stewardship Fund (Fund) will not support increased recovery rates and improved recycling infrastructure. Rather, the Fund is designed to reimburse localities for the “collection, processing, transporting, and recycling or otherwise managing packaging materials”. Such a broad reimbursement approach will result in producer fees that are not reflective of what is needed to improve the recovery of packaging and that are inappropriately allocated to other activities, such as landfilling. Further, HB 647 restricts how the fees from the Fund may be directed and we would suggest that the Fund should not be limited from investing in advancements and innovations that may have a role in the development of the circular economy. It is FPI’s belief that HB 647 and HB 918 do not allow for the development of a robust, effective and efficient recycling system. The bills, as drafted, compromise the ability to increase recovery / recycling rates while imposing costs on producers that are not reflective of improved outcomes. Thank you for your consideration of this feedback.
I urge the Committee to support HB647 to create a Product Stewardship program to shift the burden of product waste from consumers and localities to product manufactures. Currently localities have no control over the amount and types of waste materials and yet must bear the cost of disposing or recycling this waste. Single use plastics are particularly problematic for our cities and counties. These products are the most commonly found littered products in Virginia and have a devastating impact on our wildlife and special places. They are also costly and difficult for localities to recycle. Producer responsibility programs around the world have existed for decades and have successfully increased collection and recycling rates for the products they cover. Establishing a Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund in Virginia could more than double recycling, helping to keep more trash out of landfills, incinerators, and our environment. Such a program will also incentivize producers to reduce packaging waste and design products to be repaired, reused, and recycled.
Please support HB647 (Carr). I want to point out that in Oct 2019, the American Beverage Association joined with Coke, Pepsi and Keurig to announce their "Every Bottle Back" campaign. See: https://www.innovationnaturally.org/plastic/ I suggest we hold them to their word, and HB647 would help this industry fulfill its self announced goals of 100% recyclable and greater recycled content in their packaging. Otherwise, it is just more plastics industry greenwashing as plastics contaminate our land and waters. Thank you for your time.
Please SUPPORT HB 647. Comments attached.
Please support HB 647, well thought out legislation to examine our packaging materials, with an incentive to use recyclable materials that do not add to unnecessary waste. --Tyla Matteson, Chestefield County
I believe that we should require companies to pay a fee for handling the trash they produce if it can't be recycled.
With so much trash filling our landfills, people and buisnesses should be more responsible for the trash that they produce. I believe that we should require companies to companies to pay a fee for handling the trash they produce if it can't be recycled.
I am so happy to see commitment to native cultivars in our beautiful state! There is so much available the can tell an actual story of our unique locals. The 2 other bills are really a huge step forward in making actual progress in the elimination of unnecessary packaging waste. Love both of them, thank you
AdvanSix is a leading manufacturer of Nylon 6, a polymer resin which is a synthetic material used by our customers to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics and films that, in turn, are used in such end-products as carpets, automotive and electronic components, sports apparel, food packaging and other industrial applications. It is also the world’s largest single-site producer of ammonia sulfate fertilizer with on-site agronomists and technical support. In Virginia, AdvanSix operates two large Virginia operations with more than 1,200 employees in Hopewell and Chesterfield. AdvanSix is a Responsible Care® member committed to safety, environmental stewardship, and integrity in everything we do. AdvanSix Opposes HB647 (Carr) HB709 (Keam) HB918 (Lopez). This legislation creates a complex and expensive new government run program, that shifts the cost of the current recycling system to producers of goods and creates a hidden tax on packaged goods bought by consumers. These bills would be extremely costly to manufacturers. create a significant government DEQ burden and do not improve the infrastructure for plastic recycling programs. In fact, funds from the new fees are expressly prohibited for use to convert plastics into re-useable materials such as fuel or feedstocks which are critically needed for Virginia’s manufacturing base This also harms supply chains that are dependent for plastic containers for shipment and quality protection. AdvanSix requests instead that the House investigate improvements to recycle systems across the commonwealth to support the Post Consumer (PCR) and Post Industrial Recycle (PIR) processes. Again, we oppose this legislation and ask that you continue to seek and support incentives and investments to build a robust and leading recycling infrastructure in Virginia.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Please see the attached comments on HB647 & HB918.
Of the three EPR bills HB, HB 647 is the strongest and the one we are most inclined to support. Localities across the Commonwealth have been forced to end recycling programs due to funding deficits. This bill will reimburse localities for expenses related to recycling and if combined with HB 826 create an even better container recycling strategy. We appreciate the Delegate Carr’s focus to ensure “No funds shall be used for programs converting plastics to fuel or feedstock ” which is language *not* found in HB 709 and 918. We would be more supportive of this bill if it did not allow for packaging producers to develop alternative collection programs where materials end destination is a waste to energy facility. The Commonwealth needs strategies to reduce waste and this bill is a great start, we hope to see the bill amended (let’s add in HB 826-the Bottle Bill!) to ensure this legislation does not create a pipeline to plastic waste to energy facilities.
I urge the Committee to support HB647 to create a Product Stewardship program to shift the burden of product waste from consumers and localities to product manufactures. Currently localities have no control over the amount and types of waste materials and yet must bear the cost of disposing or recycling this waste. Single use plastics are particularly problematic for our cities and counties. These products are the most commonly found littered products in Virginia and have a devastating impact on our wildlife and special places. They are also costly and difficult for localities to recycle. Similar producer responsibility programs around the world have existed for decades and have successfully increased collection and recycling rates for the products they cover. Establishing a Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund in Virginia could more than double recycling, helping to keep more trash out of landfills, incinerators, and our environment. Such a program will also incentivize producers to reduce packaging waste and design products to be repaired, reused, and recycled. HB709 and HB918 are similar but HB647 offers the more comprehensive approach to a Product Stewardship law.
Dear Delegate Webert: On behalf of the 20,000 Virginians who are employed by the plastics industry, I am writing to respectfully express our concerns with HB 647 and HB 918. The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only trade association that represents the entire supply chain of manufacturers of all plastic products and packaging. While PLASTICS supports well-crafted extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, HB 647 and HB 918 contain several elements that would make it overly burdensome and ineffective. PLASTICS members have long been committed to recycling as an important part of our industry’s sustainability goals. In order to modernize, improve, and expand the recycling infrastructure in the United States, the members of PLASTICS believe in the following principles. • We believe any funding mechanism should be fair and equitable across materials and consider the impact of the full lifecycle of recyclable products. • Any fee that may be levied against a material or specific product should go into a non‐profit organization, controlled by a board of diverse stakeholders representing all affected industries, that dedicates the entirety of its funding to recycling infrastructure and organizational administration. • Any plan to fund recycling infrastructure should prioritize sorting and processing improvements to ensure collected material is able to be recycled economically. • In order to protect the stream of recyclable materials, legislation that is adopted to create a recycling infrastructure funding mechanism must also permit fair and open market access for all participating materials. • Funds collected and applied towards improving recycling infrastructure should be made available to public and private enterprises. Recycling expansion and improvement will be achieved through the work and innovation of both public and private entities. The legislation these bills are modeled on is not an effective EPR program. Under HB 647 and HB 918 there would be no substantive rulemaking to allow stakeholder engagement. These bills would create a new quasi-governmental authority that would place a significant burden on the Department of Environmental Quality. Funding collected from these programs could not be used for advanced recycling, despite Legislature support for this technology. Additionally, the funding would not stay within the system to improve recycling access, collection, sorting, and outreach. PLASTICS and our coalition partners are pursuing other more meaningful avenues to improve the recycling of plastics in the Commonwealth. These include additional funding of a market development center and prioritizing the purchase of recycled content materials and products by Commonwealth agencies. These solutions will have much more meaningful impacts than the schemes set out in HB 647 and 918. America has a responsibility to modernize and expand its recycling infrastructure and the plastics industry stands ready to do its part to support and implement fair and reasonable funding mechanisms. However, this bill contains many provisions that would harm the expansion of recycling in the state. These provisions must be addressed before this bill will be impactful. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this legislation. We are still reviewing these bills and will continue to provide substantive comments on our concerns with HB 647 and 918 throughout the committee process.
I am in favor of holding corporations more accountable for their polluting materials. I am also in for of prohibiting the burning of plastics for fuel. I live in a riverside neighborhood in the city. There is no way our neighborhood 'litter pickups' can keep up with the amount of pollution we are seeing. We need to tackle problems at their sources and stop foisting them on the public.
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Please, please fight your hardest to protect Virginia's environment. Our source of vitality, heritage, beauty, food, power, sustenance depend on it. Power to the planet!
HB 647 for the Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund is an excellent way to combat a problem that affects us all. Excess waste results in overuse of landfills, excess cost of transporting waste, water pollution, and the accumulation of trash on land and in the oceans. This bill provides a fair and equitable, market-based solution to the problem that has been successfully applied in other places. HB647 is a good solution to the problem.
This bill promotes the reduction in plastic waste, something our Commonwealth (as well as the rest of the world) needs. With our beautiful natural resources, Virginia needs to lead the way on efforts toward 100% recycling and deleting plastic waste from our environment. Who hasn’t seen a plastic bag hanging from a tree limb, or a water bottle in a ditch? Despite efforts by volunteer clean-up crews, litter persists and it’s mainly plastic bags, wrap and bottles. Virginia can do better! Please support the passage of these two important bills.
Building a new landfill is always extremely expensive and controversial, so it behooves localities to find other ways to divert waste, especially materials that can be readily recycled and repurposed. Unfortunately the companies that produce the containers and packaging have no incentive to make sure their packaging can be recycled. In fact, our recycling facilities routinely reject many containers that are falsely stamped with a recycling logo because there is no market for that type of plastic or coated cardboard. Establishing this Stewardship Program will encourage companies to rethink their packaging and allow us to capture more of the useful post-consumer byproducts. Companies unwilling to make these changes should pay their share to dispose of their trash. Virginia's taxpayers should not have to continually bear this cost. It makes sense both economically and environmentally.
With our beautiful natural resources, Virginia needs to lead the way on efforts toward 100% recycling and deleting plastic waste from our environment. Who hasn’t seen a plastic bag hanging from a tree limb, or a water bottle in a ditch? Despite efforts by volunteer clean-up crews, litter persists and it’s mainly plastic bags, wrap and bottles. Virginia can do better! Please support the passage of these two important bills.
I encourage passage of HB 647. It will promote the reduction of plastic waste. Let’s be honest- do we really need plastic wrapped sweet potatoes? Let’s push these vendors along and it will change consumer expectations and behavior. Every positive action will improve the environment for us and future generations.
FFCH supports the implementation of HB647 and 826 to reduce waste stream in the Commonwealth. With a pending climate crisis affecting our economy, health of Virginians, and the viability of future generations, we must do all we can to care for and protect Mother Earth. Business has profited for generations from environmental harm and now it's time for them to help pay for the repair. We don't need more jobs right now, there's a labor shortage and it's time to care for Earth and those most harmed by environmental damage.
HB647 and HB826 are both important bills that address the plastics and waste stream problems in Virginia. I hope you vote for these bills so they pass out of committee. Thank you, Pamela Hill
I am writing to express my support for HB647. This is a necessary bill that would ensure that there is truth in labeling for packaging to be recycled. As we have recently learned, most plastic isn't recyclable so it ends up in landfills and polluting the ocean. We need producers to take responsibility for the packaging they produce and to choose recyclable materials. Please pass this bill to give us actually recyclable packaging.
I support the concept of packaging stewardship in Virginia, but HB 647 lacks provisions for compliance, annual reporting by producers, which is important for program transparency. HB 647 also should also include provisions of annual reporting to the General Assembly. I suggest that Virginia look at the Maine packaging stewardship bill as a model.
HB709 - Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund; established.
AF&PA must respectfully oppose HB 647, HB 709, and HB 918, which would establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging. The paper industry has a demonstrated, measurable record of success in making paper and paper-based packaging more circular and sustainable through market-based approaches. Please find our written testimony attached for more details.
On behalf of the members of the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), thank you for this opportunity comment on House Bill 709, relating to establishing a packaging stewardship program in Virginia. ACC urges the committee to reject HB 709 because (1) it is not a producer-led product stewardship approach and (2) it takes a narrow view of the recycling system.
The Virginia Manufacturers Association supports the development and expansion of recycling and recycling infrastructure in the Commonwealth. The recovery, reuse, and recycling of packaging materials is an essential part of the manufacturing process - it reduces energy costs, environmental impacts, and often reduces consumer costs. According to the Virginia Natural Resources Scorecard, in 2019, Virginia's average recycling participation rate was 43.2 percent, a decrease from 46.1 percent (a record high) the year before. The average participation rate percentage has remained steady in the low to mid- 40s since 2010, a marked improvement since 1991 (19.7%). However, over half of localities have no recycling program at all. With this as a backdrop, compounding more regulations on manufacturers is no solution. HB647, 709, and 918 are not reasonable solutions to reducing solid waste or improving material recycling. Further, these bills were never introduced to the VA MFG Development Commission for evaluation and advocates never engaged the manufacturing sector to discuss alternatives. We ask that all parties support our goal of expanded recycling in the Commonwealth instead of expanding product liabilities on Virginia's 6,750 manufacturers. Please reject HB647, 709, and 918.
On behalf of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, please find the attached letter opposing HB647, HB709, and HB918, proposing the creation of a packaging stewardship program and fund. Thank you.
Comments from the American Cleaning Institute on extended producer responsibility proposals.
Attached are comments from the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) on House Bills 647, 709, 918 and 826.
On behalf of the Town of Vienna I am requesting the General Assembly to adopt legislation that allows localities to implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program to help improve municipal recycling programs and reduce taxpayer burden. Counties, cities, and towns throughout Virginia spend tens, and even hundreds, of millions of dollars on facilities, land, equipment, and personnel to collect and recycle cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and other packaging materials for disposal of nonrecyclable packaging. All of this is done at taxpayer expense. The proposed legislation would shift the cost of managing packaging waste from municipalities and tax payers to producers of the products they put on the market. ERP for packaging has been put into practice throughout Europe and Canada and went into effect in Maine in July 2021 with predictions other states will follow. It places a fee on producers based on their packaging choices. Payments by producers will be based on the net amount of packaging sold into the state and will take into account toxicity and whether the packaging is readily recyclable. This will incentivize producers to not only reconsider the design and materials used in their products' packaging but to also produce less packaging. Recycling is important for environmental reasons as well. Producing less packaging will decrease the production of petroleum-based products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a time when there is a vital global need to do so.
AdvanSix is a leading manufacturer of Nylon 6, a polymer resin which is a synthetic material used by our customers to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics and films that, in turn, are used in such end-products as carpets, automotive and electronic components, sports apparel, food packaging and other industrial applications. It is also the world’s largest single-site producer of ammonia sulfate fertilizer with on-site agronomists and technical support. In Virginia, AdvanSix operates two large Virginia operations with more than 1,200 employees in Hopewell and Chesterfield. AdvanSix is a Responsible Care® member committed to safety, environmental stewardship, and integrity in everything we do. AdvanSix Opposes HB647 (Carr) HB709 (Keam) HB918 (Lopez). This legislation creates a complex and expensive new government run program, that shifts the cost of the current recycling system to producers of goods and creates a hidden tax on packaged goods bought by consumers. These bills would be extremely costly to manufacturers. create a significant government DEQ burden and do not improve the infrastructure for plastic recycling programs. In fact, funds from the new fees are expressly prohibited for use to convert plastics into re-useable materials such as fuel or feedstocks which are critically needed for Virginia’s manufacturing base This also harms supply chains that are dependent for plastic containers for shipment and quality protection. AdvanSix requests instead that the House investigate improvements to recycle systems across the commonwealth to support the Post Consumer (PCR) and Post Industrial Recycle (PIR) processes. Again, we oppose this legislation and ask that you continue to seek and support incentives and investments to build a robust and leading recycling infrastructure in Virginia.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Of the three EPR bills HB, HB 647 is the strongest and the one we are most inclined to support. Localities across the Commonwealth have been forced to end recycling programs due to funding deficits. This bill will reimburse localities for expenses related to recycling and if combined with HB 826 create an even better container recycling strategy. We appreciate the Delegate Carr’s focus to ensure “No funds shall be used for programs converting plastics to fuel or feedstock ” which is language *not* found in HB 709 and 918. We would be more supportive of this bill if it did not allow for packaging producers to develop alternative collection programs where materials end destination is a waste to energy facility. The Commonwealth needs strategies to reduce waste and this bill is a great start, we hope to see the bill amended (let’s add in HB 826-the Bottle Bill!) to ensure this legislation does not create a pipeline to plastic waste to energy facilities.
Please stop animal cruelty!
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
I support the concept of packaging stewardship in Virginia, but HB 709 lacks provisions for compliance, annual reporting by producers, which is important for program transparency. HB 709 also should also include a stakeholder advisory committee and provisions of annual reporting to the General Assembly. I suggest that Virginia look at the Maine or Oregon packaging stewardship bills models.
HB826 - Beverage container deposit and redemption program; established, civil and criminal penalties.
Vote to allow HB 647 and HB 826 to come up for a vote .Enactment of these bills into law will definitely encourage manufacturers and customers to limit the use of plastics which have become a major problem in our city and state. Of course big business will argue to the contrary, but consider everyone's thoughtless use of plastic bottles and the damage they cause. You can do something to lesson the problem by insuring these bills go to the floor.
Dear Chair Webert and Members of the Subcommittee: The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) thanks Delegate Patrick Hope for introducing House Bill 826, which would create a beverage container deposit program in the Commonwealth. Delegate Hope has shown real leadership by proposing a private sector approach that incentivizes consumers through the use of a refundable deposit to see the value in holding onto their empty beverage containers for recycling. The Commonwealth wins as its beverage container recycling rates increase, which will reduce litter in communities and natural areas, provide raw materials to power the local economy, and cut carbon emissions with fewer use of new, “virgin” material. Virginia also saves time and money from needing to do less litter collection, enabling the Department of Environmental Quality’s Litter Prevention Program and local litter clean control efforts to turn their attention and resources to other issues. The Metal Can Industry in Virginia CMI is the U.S. trade association representing metal can makers and their suppliers. The industry employees more than 28,000 people and our members have facilities in 33 states. All of our members are proud to make the most sustainable package for beverage and food products. CMI has two members with operations here in the Commonwealth. One member, Crown Holdings, Inc., has invested $145 million in Martinsville to open a new aluminum beverage plant, which is expected to come on-line late this year. That new plant is one of many investments Crown is making to meet the unpresidented demand in the United States from the beverage industry for sustainable and recyclable packaging. Best of all, Crown chose Virginia over South Carolina for the site of their new facility and expects to create 126 new jobs. Crown also has two other facilities in the Commonwealth, a plant in Winchester with 118 employees making beverage can ends and a food can plant in Suffolk. Another CMI member, Trivium Packaging, has a food can plant in Roanoke that employs 118 Virginians. All of our members are proud to make the most sustainable package for beverage and food products. The Aluminum Can Industry’s Actions To Increase Recycling Rates This past November, CMI and the Aluminum Association (AA) announced a joint goal of increasing the U.S. aluminum beverage can recycling rate from the current industry-leading 45 percent to 70 percent by 2030. CMI and AA support deposit programs because they are vital sources of used beverage cans. A 2019 analysis by environmental research firm Circular Matters showed that while the deposit states consume about a quarter of all beverage cans, they generate more than a third of all cans recycled. Further, while recycling rates for aluminum cans are about 41 percent in non-deposit states, they average 77 percent in states with such programs. The cans that aluminum suppliers receive from deposit states tend to be far cleaner and of higher quality, making recycling easier and more economical. CMI thanks Delegate Hope for his thoughtful proposal and looks forward to working with others interested in creating more robust circular economy in the Commonwealth. Sincerely, Michael Smaha Vice President, Government Relations Can Manufacturers Institute
Attached are comments from the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) on House Bills 647, 709, 918 and 826.
The Aluminum Association supports HB 826 and documentation regarding that support is contained in the attached. Thanks. Curt Wells Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs The Aluminum Association
Please support HB 826, an ambitious yet necessary policy to handle recyclables so they don't end up in landfills.
I support the bill to establish a beverage container deposit, refund, and redemption program involving distributors, retailers, and consumers.
I am so happy to see commitment to native cultivars in our beautiful state! There is so much available the can tell an actual story of our unique locals. The 2 other bills are really a huge step forward in making actual progress in the elimination of unnecessary packaging waste. Love both of them, thank you
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Encouraging your support on the above bills
HB 826 Clean Fairfax would love to love this bill, but we would like more information from the bill patron. Under normal circumstances we would probably support a bottle bill that does all this, but the fact that this one has been shrouded in secrecy like it was sponsored by the Freemasons gives us pause. We would be far more comfortable supporting a bill that has considerable input by the environmental community, and will protect people and the planet rather than written and submitted by business interests who have historically not been environmental advocates. This bill creates a take back issue for items like juice boxes and milk containers (Tetra Paks) and items that traditionally have NOT had been subject to a deposit scheme and attaches an additional fee on top of the deposit. Considering the origin story of this bill, we can’t help but wonder if it is a push to get milk and fruit punch out of tetrapaks and into metal cans or plastic bottles? Also: Where do all the containers collected end up? We wouldn’t support a program that collects plastic containers for Chemical Conversion over truly recycling drinking containers into more drinking containers. Our support of a bill like this is also contingent on there being no carve outs down the road for plastic or glass containers, or for water bottles or any other material or industry specific items. We are concerned that this is a bit of a catch 22 for many Environmental organizations in that if we do not give this bill our full throated support, that later down the road we may be accused of not being in favor of that which we preach–dealing with the overwhelming single use beverage containers in Virginia, and if we do support it, and this bill ends up being a pipeline to plastics incineration and we’re on the record of supporting it So here’s a way to make this bill stronger: since this bill does not have a companion in the senate we recommend that HB 826 be combined with HB 647 for a true EPR and Circular Economy bill and request that language be added to the bill that requires that beverage containers in Virginia to have a recycled content mandate to encourage the development of a strong recycling market.
Attached please find comments from the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) on HB 826. Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns. James P. Toner, Jr. Director of Government Relations IBWA
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
Wildlife killing contests should be illegal.
Please, please fight your hardest to protect Virginia's environment. Our source of vitality, heritage, beauty, food, power, sustenance depend on it. Power to the planet!
I support HB 826 as a means of reducing the amount of waste in our environment. According to the EPA website, 66% of what is recycled is paperboard. Glass and plastic only account for 4% each. Go to your favorite fishing spot or walk along a roadway anywhere in our beautiful state, and you will see discarded bottles. Many Virginians are old enough to remember paying a deposit on their bottled drinks. It was a way to ensure that the glass would be recovered and reused. It was responsible and cost effective. In states that still have deposits and redemption, the recovery rates are SO MUCH higher than Virginia. It is time for us to get serious about recycling and keeping unwanted trash off our roads and out of our rivers and streams.
I support HB 826. We have an ongoing problem with beverage containers polluting our landscapes and waters. I personally assist with trash collection in our parks and routinely pick up dozens of cans, bottles, and cups on my rounds. A redemption fee provides a market-based solution that will encourage proper disposal and recycling of these containers. HB826 will make Virginia cleaner and greener.
This bill promotes the reduction in plastic waste, something our Commonwealth (as well as the rest of the world) needs. With our beautiful natural resources, Virginia needs to lead the way on efforts toward 100% recycling and deleting plastic waste from our environment. Who hasn’t seen a plastic bag hanging from a tree limb, or a water bottle in a ditch? Despite efforts by volunteer clean-up crews, litter persists and it’s mainly plastic bags, wrap and bottles. Virginia can do better! Please support the passage of these two important bills.
With our beautiful natural resources, Virginia needs to lead the way on efforts toward 100% recycling and deleting plastic waste from our environment. Who hasn’t seen a plastic bag hanging from a tree limb, or a water bottle in a ditch? Despite efforts by volunteer clean-up crews, litter persists and it’s mainly plastic bags, wrap and bottles. Virginia can do better! Please support the passage of these two important bills.
FFCH supports the implementation of HB647 and 826 to reduce waste stream in the Commonwealth. With a pending climate crisis affecting our economy, health of Virginians, and the viability of future generations, we must do all we can to care for and protect Mother Earth. Business has profited for generations from environmental harm and now it's time for them to help pay for the repair. We don't need more jobs right now, there's a labor shortage and it's time to care for Earth and those most harmed by environmental damage.
HB647 and HB826 are both important bills that address the plastics and waste stream problems in Virginia. I hope you vote for these bills so they pass out of committee. Thank you, Pamela Hill
I am writing to support HB826. This is a good step to allow us to recycle more containers to ensure they don't end up in landfills. This is the right choice for Virginia.
HB830 - Slaughter and meat-processing facilities; expanding facilities through strategic planning, etc.
Please email the above mentioned bills to me.
HB 828- Meat and dairy have been linked to numerous health problems in adults and children. Meat and dairy production also play a major role in land and water depletion and pollution. Famers are the backbone of this country and Virginia, but at a time where the growing body of both medical science and environmental science supports a reduction in meat and dairy, states must help farmers convert from meat and dairy to more sustainable crops. Certainly as human population continues to grow, even our current rate of meat and dairy is unsustainable. Expansion of these industries, and their facilities, seems counterintuitive. Thank you.
The Virginia Cattlemens Association and our thousands of producer members support HB 830/SB 726. This is about working to solve the supply chain problems and meeting consumer demand working with Virginia. cattle producers. This is the first time ever - where there is a coordinated effort across Va. which will increase capacity and the availability of quality , locally grown food. Currently our local meat -beef processor have a 6 mo.-year wait for processing Virginia farmers meat. 8.6 million people live in VA. Only 31 locations currently process beef from the farm to the table. Demand is strong. Consumers want our Va raised beef . This bill provides for a strategic plan to assess needs, and build capacity for local beef production. It is about sustainability, self reliance and preparing for sustainable food production for the future. This is a win for both urban and rural, providing a larger supply of locally grown, locally processed beef for the public.
We are concerned about how HB 830 could impact workers and animals, and we are asking the committee to please consider modifications to the bill. We respectfully urge the committee to establish incentives to help Virginia farmers while simultaneously improving animal welfare in two key ways: offering incentives for producers to transition to more worker and animal friendly-controlled atmosphere stunning in poultry processing facilities, and providing assistance for Virginia egg producers to transition to cage-free housing. Currently, over 9 billion chickens are processed for human consumption in the United States per year. When the birds arrive at poultry processing facilities, workers hang the birds upside down by putting their legs into moving shackles. The shackles drag the birds through an electrified water tank to immobilize them, but the U.S. electrical settings are insufficient to consistently render the birds unconscious. Birds often scratch and claw at the workers as they struggle. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, during the shackling process, workers can get covered in blood, feces and pathogens from the chickens. There is a superior alternative to the current system. Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (“CAS”) is carried out by passing birds in their transport crates through a chamber containing gas, typically carbon dioxide. This gas is not poisonous, but causes death by anoxia. Using the CAS system, chickens are not shackled until after they are insensible. Handling birds only after they are unconscious prevents injuries associated with repeated handling of thrashing chickens. CAS systems are also cleaner working environments, as the birds are not moving. The animal welfare benefits are also significant. World-renowned animal welfare scientist and member of the Meat Industry Hall of Farm, Dr. Temple Grandin, says that CAS results in less stress for birds. Meat + Poultry Magazine notes that CAS “has proven to be one of the most reliable methods for attaining consistency in terms of good animal welfare and meat quality.” Some of the largest chicken companies like Perdue Farms and Tyson Farms, as well as numerous smaller producers are starting to use the method and attest to its superiority. Dozens of major food companies including McDonald’s have mandated that all their chicken meat come from CAS processing facilities. Virginia should be a leader by offering financial incentives for chicken producers and processing facilities to phase out electrical slaughter methods in favor of CAS. We also ask the committee to consider incentives for egg producers to assist in their conversion to cage-free systems. Responding to demand from their customers, more than 200 of the country’s largest companies have pledged to switch exclusively to cage-free eggs, including McDonald’s and Walmart. Legislatures have passed cage-free laws in seven states, creating further demand for cage-free eggs. New USDA statistics show that approximately 34% of the U.S. egg flock is cage-free, up from just 4% a decade ago. Incentives would not only help producers meet market demands, they would also bolster the agriculture and construction sectors. Meanwhile, animal protection organizations like the Humane Society of the United States support incentives because a faster transition to cage-free allows more animals to engage in their natural behaviors. For these reasons, we respectfully encourage the committee to modify the bill.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Please stop animal cruelty!
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
HB831 - Digestate; definition, definition of anaerobic digestion.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
HB837 - Food and drink law; permitting requirements.
On behalf of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, I want to take a moment to express our support for HB837.
The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (VCBG) supports HB837. The VCBG was a participant in the development of HB837. The bill incorporates requests we made for an appeals process, regulatory rulemaking transparency, and provisional operations approval pending inspection/permit issuance. Virginia's 297 independent craft breweries appreciate the cooperation of VDACS and the leadership of Delegate Wilt.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
HB918 - Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund; established.
AF&PA must respectfully oppose HB 647, HB 709, and HB 918, which would establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging. The paper industry has a demonstrated, measurable record of success in making paper and paper-based packaging more circular and sustainable through market-based approaches. Please find our written testimony attached for more details.
On behalf of the members of the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), thank you for this opportunity comment on House Bill 918, relating to establishing a packaging stewardship program in Virginia. ACC urges the committee to reject HB 918 because (1) it is not a producer-led product stewardship approach and (2) it takes a narrow view of the recycling system.
The Virginia Manufacturers Association supports the development and expansion of recycling and recycling infrastructure in the Commonwealth. The recovery, reuse, and recycling of packaging materials is an essential part of the manufacturing process - it reduces energy costs, environmental impacts, and often reduces consumer costs. According to the Virginia Natural Resources Scorecard, in 2019, Virginia's average recycling participation rate was 43.2 percent, a decrease from 46.1 percent (a record high) the year before. The average participation rate percentage has remained steady in the low to mid- 40s since 2010, a marked improvement since 1991 (19.7%). However, over half of localities have no recycling program at all. With this as a backdrop, compounding more regulations on manufacturers is no solution. HB647, 709, and 918 are not reasonable solutions to reducing solid waste or improving material recycling. Further, these bills were never introduced to the VA MFG Development Commission for evaluation and advocates never engaged the manufacturing sector to discuss alternatives. We ask that all parties support our goal of expanded recycling in the Commonwealth instead of expanding product liabilities on Virginia's 6,750 manufacturers. Please reject HB647, 709, and 918.
On behalf of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, please find the attached letter opposing HB647, HB709, and HB918, proposing the creation of a packaging stewardship program and fund. Thank you.
Comments from the American Cleaning Institute on extended producer responsibility proposals.
Attached are comments from the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) on House Bills 647, 709, 918 and 826.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our respectful opposition to House Bills No. 647 and No. 918 (HB 647 and HB 918). Founded in 1933, the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) is the leading authority on foodservice packaging in North America. FPI supports the responsible use of all foodservice packaging, while advocating an open and fair marketplace for all materials. Our members include: raw material and machinery suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and purchasers of foodservice packaging. FPI represents approximately 90 percent of the industry. The foodservice packaging industry is committed to reducing the impact of its products on the environment and is dedicated to increasing their recovery. FPI has several special interest groups that bring together the supply chain to develop and promote economically viable and sustainable recovery solutions for foodservice packaging. These special interest groups include the Paper Recovery Alliance, Plastic Recovery Group, Paper Cup Alliance and Foam Recycling Coalition. More information on these groups and their efforts can be found at the following link: https://www.recyclefsp.org/. As part of our commitment to increasing the recovery of foodservice packaging, we are supportive of policy approaches that advance this effort through systems such as recycling and composting. With respect to extended producer responsibility programs, it is our view that programs should be based on the principles of shared responsibility, fairness and system effectiveness and efficiency. It is based on these principles that we are compelled to oppose HB 647 and HB 918. As drafted, we are concerned that the Packaging Stewardship Fund (Fund) will not support increased recovery rates and improved recycling infrastructure. Rather, the Fund is designed to reimburse localities for the “collection, processing, transporting, and recycling or otherwise managing packaging materials”. Such a broad reimbursement approach will result in producer fees that are not reflective of what is needed to improve the recovery of packaging and that are inappropriately allocated to other activities, such as landfilling. Further, HB 647 restricts how the fees from the Fund may be directed and we would suggest that the Fund should not be limited from investing in advancements and innovations that may have a role in the development of the circular economy. It is FPI’s belief that HB 647 and HB 918 do not allow for the development of a robust, effective and efficient recycling system. The bills, as drafted, compromise the ability to increase recovery / recycling rates while imposing costs on producers that are not reflective of improved outcomes. Thank you for your consideration of this feedback.
AdvanSix is a leading manufacturer of Nylon 6, a polymer resin which is a synthetic material used by our customers to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics and films that, in turn, are used in such end-products as carpets, automotive and electronic components, sports apparel, food packaging and other industrial applications. It is also the world’s largest single-site producer of ammonia sulfate fertilizer with on-site agronomists and technical support. In Virginia, AdvanSix operates two large Virginia operations with more than 1,200 employees in Hopewell and Chesterfield. AdvanSix is a Responsible Care® member committed to safety, environmental stewardship, and integrity in everything we do. AdvanSix Opposes HB647 (Carr) HB709 (Keam) HB918 (Lopez). This legislation creates a complex and expensive new government run program, that shifts the cost of the current recycling system to producers of goods and creates a hidden tax on packaged goods bought by consumers. These bills would be extremely costly to manufacturers. create a significant government DEQ burden and do not improve the infrastructure for plastic recycling programs. In fact, funds from the new fees are expressly prohibited for use to convert plastics into re-useable materials such as fuel or feedstocks which are critically needed for Virginia’s manufacturing base This also harms supply chains that are dependent for plastic containers for shipment and quality protection. AdvanSix requests instead that the House investigate improvements to recycle systems across the commonwealth to support the Post Consumer (PCR) and Post Industrial Recycle (PIR) processes. Again, we oppose this legislation and ask that you continue to seek and support incentives and investments to build a robust and leading recycling infrastructure in Virginia.
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Please see the attached comments on HB647 & HB918.
Of the three EPR bills HB, HB 647 is the strongest and the one we are most inclined to support. Localities across the Commonwealth have been forced to end recycling programs due to funding deficits. This bill will reimburse localities for expenses related to recycling and if combined with HB 826 create an even better container recycling strategy. We appreciate the Delegate Carr’s focus to ensure “No funds shall be used for programs converting plastics to fuel or feedstock ” which is language *not* found in HB 709 and 918. We would be more supportive of this bill if it did not allow for packaging producers to develop alternative collection programs where materials end destination is a waste to energy facility. The Commonwealth needs strategies to reduce waste and this bill is a great start, we hope to see the bill amended (let’s add in HB 826-the Bottle Bill!) to ensure this legislation does not create a pipeline to plastic waste to energy facilities.
Dear Delegate Webert: On behalf of the 20,000 Virginians who are employed by the plastics industry, I am writing to respectfully express our concerns with HB 647 and HB 918. The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only trade association that represents the entire supply chain of manufacturers of all plastic products and packaging. While PLASTICS supports well-crafted extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, HB 647 and HB 918 contain several elements that would make it overly burdensome and ineffective. PLASTICS members have long been committed to recycling as an important part of our industry’s sustainability goals. In order to modernize, improve, and expand the recycling infrastructure in the United States, the members of PLASTICS believe in the following principles. • We believe any funding mechanism should be fair and equitable across materials and consider the impact of the full lifecycle of recyclable products. • Any fee that may be levied against a material or specific product should go into a non‐profit organization, controlled by a board of diverse stakeholders representing all affected industries, that dedicates the entirety of its funding to recycling infrastructure and organizational administration. • Any plan to fund recycling infrastructure should prioritize sorting and processing improvements to ensure collected material is able to be recycled economically. • In order to protect the stream of recyclable materials, legislation that is adopted to create a recycling infrastructure funding mechanism must also permit fair and open market access for all participating materials. • Funds collected and applied towards improving recycling infrastructure should be made available to public and private enterprises. Recycling expansion and improvement will be achieved through the work and innovation of both public and private entities. The legislation these bills are modeled on is not an effective EPR program. Under HB 647 and HB 918 there would be no substantive rulemaking to allow stakeholder engagement. These bills would create a new quasi-governmental authority that would place a significant burden on the Department of Environmental Quality. Funding collected from these programs could not be used for advanced recycling, despite Legislature support for this technology. Additionally, the funding would not stay within the system to improve recycling access, collection, sorting, and outreach. PLASTICS and our coalition partners are pursuing other more meaningful avenues to improve the recycling of plastics in the Commonwealth. These include additional funding of a market development center and prioritizing the purchase of recycled content materials and products by Commonwealth agencies. These solutions will have much more meaningful impacts than the schemes set out in HB 647 and 918. America has a responsibility to modernize and expand its recycling infrastructure and the plastics industry stands ready to do its part to support and implement fair and reasonable funding mechanisms. However, this bill contains many provisions that would harm the expansion of recycling in the state. These provisions must be addressed before this bill will be impactful. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this legislation. We are still reviewing these bills and will continue to provide substantive comments on our concerns with HB 647 and 918 throughout the committee process.
I am in favor of holding corporations more accountable for their polluting materials. I am also in for of prohibiting the burning of plastics for fuel. I live in a riverside neighborhood in the city. There is no way our neighborhood 'litter pickups' can keep up with the amount of pollution we are seeing. We need to tackle problems at their sources and stop foisting them on the public.
Please stop animal cruelty!
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
I support the concept of packaging stewardship in Virginia, but HB 918 lacks provisions for compliance, annual reporting by producers, which is important for program transparency. HB 918 also should also include a stakeholder advisory committee and provisions of annual reporting to the General Assembly. I suggest that Virginia look at the Maine or Oregon packaging stewardship bills models.
Building a new landfill is always extremely expensive and controversial, so it behooves localities to find other ways to divert waste, especially materials that can be readily recycled and repurposed. Unfortunately the companies that produce the containers and packaging have no incentive to make sure their packaging can be recycled. In fact, our recycling facilities routinely reject many containers that are falsely stamped with a recycling logo because there is no market for that type of plastic or coated cardboard. Establishing this Stewardship Program will encourage companies to rethink their packaging and allow us to capture more of the useful post-consumer byproducts. Companies unwilling to make these changes should pay their share to dispose of their trash. Virginia's taxpayers should not have to continually bear this cost. It makes sense both economically and environmentally.
HB1074 - Rabies vaccination; titer test, certification.
HB 1074 - I support the bill for Titer Test Certification in lieu of Rabies Vaccination requirements. While I agree that Rabies needs to be controlled in our domestic animals, I do not agree that the potential to over vaccinate is the answer.
I support HB 1074 - which will help prevent our dogs from being over vaccinated resulting in their untimely deaths. It’s time the law is updated.
Please stop this cruelty
Virginia already has laws governing the use of rabies titers so I'm not sure why this bill is necessary. Here are some links to those laws: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter105/section30/ 12VAC5-105-30. Rabies vaccine exemptions. ====== https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter105 Chapter 105. Rabies Regulations Section 10 Definitions Section 20 Rabies clinics Section 30 Rabies vaccine exemptions Section 40 Model plan for localities FORMS (12VAC5-105) ===== https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter65/section3.2-6521/ Article 5. Rabies Control and Licensing of Dogs and Cats Thank you, Alice Harrington, Legislative Liaison, VA Federation of dog Clubs and Breeders (VFDCB)
I support this common sense bill. When working in veterinary medicine, I was tested for my rabies titer; not constantly revaccinated. Years down the line, after my initial vaccine and booster, my titer was still protective, as it was for almost all of my co-workers.
I would like to lend support to Delegate Leftwich's Legislative bill HB 1074 that would amend the current Rabies vaccination laws in our state to include the option for Titer tests to show protective immunity in our pets. The Virginia rabies vaccination law has remained the same for many years. The current law does not take into consideration the health, age or number of vaccines that a pet already has been given. It fails to take into consideration that the pet may already have adequate antibodies for Rabies protection from prior vaccinations. A Titer test is a much needed addition to Virginia's Rabies vaccination law. An amended bill, that includes Titers, would allow a pet owner like myself to continue to license my pet, in my county of residence and have my pet be considered as vaccinated for Rabies for that current year. I ask you, and all the Virginia elected officials to look at the evidence on the use of Titers to prove protective immunity and replace the outdated Rabies vaccination law in our State with common sense and current research.
Please exercise your authority to protect both domesticated and wild animals in The Commonwealth of Virginia. It is our collective responsibility to pursue policies that are ethical and compassionate.
Nothing
HB1074 lenthen time between rabies vaccines .I.e 5-7yrs.Allow for titer tests. 1176 profit snare/metal traps 1200 no toxic sites near any water sources 111 prohibit hunting on Sundays on state or federal lands in VA. These areas are for everyone and we like to walk/ hike in safety and peacefully 1089 I lived in areas that used parquet in HI. This is deadly and must be banned! 1061 Absolutely prohibit the breeding of dogs and cats for exploitation by others 1029 Wildlife corridors save lives both animal and human
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Support
I’m writing in support of HB 1074 allowing titers to serve as proof of vaccination.
HB 1029, 1035, 1061, 1067, 1074, 1089 are all bills that need to be passed into law. Please take account of my voice in favor of each of these bills that enhances a humane and healthy way of life.
NA
We cannot undo most of the damage humans have done so it is urgent to stop harmful behaviors of humans that effect and endanger animals and environments.
As a trainer ,dog owner and animal welfare advocate I support these life saving Bills !
I support HB 467 As a dog breeder and hunter for over 60 years I believe dog owners are responsible for knowing the risks that any animal they own can potentially pose, as well as socializing and training their animals, just as people are responsible for acknowledging the inherent risks associated with being around animals they don't know. I also support HB1074. As a retired professor of Microbiology and Immunology I am very familiar with the risk/benefit ratio of immunizations. The rabies vaccine has been definitively linked with autoimmune reactions, notably autoimmune hemolytic anemia. An adequate rabies vaccine titer from an accredited lab should be accepted by government authority as equivalent to a repeat immunization, whether or not the animal already has a medical condition proscribing such repeat vaccination.
Please stop this heinous act.
Please stop animal cruelty!
“Kill contests” or otherwise hunting for sport should be outlawed.
Please end these cruel practices!
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Good Afternoon, I am submitting my support of the above items. I strongly feel that we need to put more time and planning on what we are doing to our animals, that are due the same respect as we all inhabits of our planet, and out planet. We only have one earth and we have not been responsible on how we treated her.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
stop this now!!
We should be protecting our animals, both wild and domestic. We also need to protect our environment. Inhumane treatment of all animals needs to stop.
HB523 Research or experimentation of any kind should be prohibited with all animals especially dogs and cats
HB1089 - Paraquat information; VDH to develop information sheet regarding public health risks of pesticide.
Please email the above mentioned bills to me.
Please stop this cruelty
Our lands and the animals that live on our lands should be protected at every cost. At a time when deforestation and the killing of animals in the U.S. and around the world grows more and more, it is imperative to fight against this. If we do not take action and push legislation to protect our land and the animals that live on them, in the not to distant future they will become less and less until they are no more. Please think about this and help to do what you can to make positive change.
Dear Delegates, My name is Robert Pearson, a resident of Fairfax Station. My family has lived in this area going back to the 1790's. We have hunted and farmed this land for many generations. We have served our country in most of our wars. I volunteered during Vietnam with the 25th Infantry, the Tropic Lightning Division. I was fortunate to return back home with no battlefield woulds. But during my deployment I was heavily exposed to the neurotoxin, Agent Orange. This toxin has been linked to several diseases affecting the military and veterans including Parkinson's disorders, heart disease and several cancers. I am rated as a permanently and totally service connected veteran. I currently serve the disabled vet community as a Chapter Service Office with the DAV, and I am an advocate for medical research. One of my duties as been to serve as a research grant reviewer for Parkinson's research for the Army Medical Rearch command. Lab animals for research are induced to Parkinsonism by injecting them with a neurotoxin, which is very similar to Paraquat. One of the highest occupational risks for developing Parkinson's Disease (PD) is farming and crop dusting jobs. There is a high correlation between exposure to herbicides and other toxicants and developing PD, somes decades later. This legislation will help educate and train agricultural workers to handle Paraquat with necessary safety precautions so as not to harm themselves or their families. We honor these hard working families and should provide them with all necessary tools to keep them as safe as possible. Thanks for letting me speak on this subject; and thank you all for your service here to our beautiful Commonwealth.
Attached PDF of a letter of support for HB 1089 on behalf of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
HB1074 lenthen time between rabies vaccines .I.e 5-7yrs.Allow for titer tests. 1176 profit snare/metal traps 1200 no toxic sites near any water sources 111 prohibit hunting on Sundays on state or federal lands in VA. These areas are for everyone and we like to walk/ hike in safety and peacefully 1089 I lived in areas that used parquet in HI. This is deadly and must be banned! 1061 Absolutely prohibit the breeding of dogs and cats for exploitation by others 1029 Wildlife corridors save lives both animal and human
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
BAN ALL THESE TOXIC CHEMICALS OUTRIGHT!! THEY WILL ALL END UP POLLUTING WATER, KILLING BEES AND OTHER BENEFICIAL INSECTS, AND CAUSING CANCER, ETC., ETC. THE TRUE COSTS OF THESE TOXINS EXCEED THE BENEFITS!
BAN ALL THESE TOXIC CHEMICALS OUTRIGHT!! THEY WILL ALL END UP POLLUTING WATER, KILLING BEES AND OTHER BENEFICIAL INSECTS, AND CAUSING CANCER, ETC., ETC. THE TRUE COSTS OF THESE TOXINS EXCEED THE BENEFITS!
Support
HB 1029, 1035, 1061, 1067, 1074, 1089 are all bills that need to be passed into law. Please take account of my voice in favor of each of these bills that enhances a humane and healthy way of life.
Please support HB 1089, relating to the pesticide paraquat. Paraquat is highly toxic and banned in many countries, as it causes illness in humans and animals, and is linked to causing Parkinson's Disease. This legislation simply makes information available to those associated with its application and would collect data on its use. --Tyla Matteson, Chesterfield County, VA
NA
We cannot undo most of the damage humans have done so it is urgent to stop harmful behaviors of humans that effect and endanger animals and environments.
Please stop this heinous act.
Please stop animal cruelty!
“Kill contests” or otherwise hunting for sport should be outlawed.
Please end these cruel practices!
I wish to encourage support for all legislation that enhances the protections of all animals and improves the quality of life of animals. Additionally, I encourage support for all legislation that is intended to improve our society's dedication and action to reduce the man-made conditions leading to climate change.
pass all of the laws above
Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Good Afternoon, I am submitting my support of the above items. I strongly feel that we need to put more time and planning on what we are doing to our animals, that are due the same respect as we all inhabits of our planet, and out planet. We only have one earth and we have not been responsible on how we treated her.
Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans
Wildlife killing contests should be illegal.
stop this now!!
Protection of Land, Water, Air, Soil and all animals is up to us and for future generations a must.
We should be protecting our animals, both wild and domestic. We also need to protect our environment. Inhumane treatment of all animals needs to stop.
HB311 - Native plant species; state agencies to prioritize use on state properties.
Do the right thing
I support HB 1029 and 311, and 323. I oppose HB 189. I have concerns about HB 314 and 491 - namely, why does being "commercially significant" exempt a non-native plant from being deemed a noxious weed? I am also concerned about HB 351. I agree that encouraging motorists to choose electric vehicles is a worthy goal, but I am concerned about the emphasis on simply transitioning to electric cars when cars and the infrastructure they require, well beyond just gasoline, are themselves the problem. It isn't just about emissions, it's about the asphalt - impervious surface that aggravates flooding and heating - required to park a car regardless of how "clean" it is. It's about the unsustainable land use patterns that even clean cars necessitate. Investing in rail, sidewalks, bike paths, and diverse zoning is a far better use of resources than simply putting more electric vehicle charging stations.
Please stop this cruelty
Please exercise your authority to support all actions promoting the preservation of our natural resources and the protection of our environment.
I feel strongly about banning killing contests of foxes and coyotes along with banning snare traps which mph are cruel and not necessary. Breeders and dealers should be banned from selling cats and dogs for any kind of scientific experiments due the fact that there is technology available that would work just as well.
I am so happy to see commitment to native cultivars in our beautiful state! There is so much available the can tell an actual story of our unique locals. The 2 other bills are really a huge step forward in making actual progress in the elimination of unnecessary packaging waste. Love both of them, thank you
I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.
Encouraging your support on the above bills
Clean Fairfax supports HB 311 and HB 314 because they are the environmentally responsible actions for Virginia and are great opportunities to celebrate the Commonwealth's native species, which in turn supports Virginia’s wildlife and especially pollinators which support our substantial farming industry. These bills also help eliminate the noxious invasive species (by reducing opportunities for purchase when alternatives are available) that put the Commonwealth at risk for losing native flora and fauna.
Please stop animal cruelty!
pass all of the laws above
Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Let's plant more native plants. Encouraging the planting of native species is an excellent idea. Let's do what we can to minimize the introduction of non-native and at times invasive plants in our state. From what I have seen there has been a trend in that direction. Please encourage this to continue with the appropriate legislation. Thanks,