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Animal Abusers Assets to be Seized

Three days ago we asked 11,509 of our supporters who are Hillsborough County residents to speak up in support of Commissioner Ken Hagen's motion to allow Hillsborough County to seize the assets of convicted animal abusers.  Today I got this wonderful letter from him telling me that your voices were heard:

I am pleased to report that during today's Board Meeting, the County Commission approved my request to target criminal enterprises that are predicated on animal cruelty.

This unprecedented action will provide an additional deterrent to these deplorable acts of cruelty and the senseless death of animals. Should these criminals perform animal cruelty, they are going to pay financially by having their assets seized.

Thanks again for all of your support of our animal friends. Please do not hesitate to let me know if I can ever be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Ken Hagan

County Commissioner

District 5

USDA Seeks Nominations for National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/01/wsac_nominations.shtml

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2013–The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is soliciting

nominees for five additional positions on the Secretary’s National Wildlife Services Advisory

Committee (NWSAC) for a two year period.

During their terms committee members will advise USDA on the activities, policies and research

needed to conduct wildlife services, a program within USDA’s Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service. Committee members can serve up to three consecutive terms.

Nominations for individuals are sought from interested organizations, the academic community,

stakeholder groups, individuals and other related parties. The Committee serves as a public

forum enabling those affected by the Wildlife Services program to have a voice in the program’s

policies. Past membership on the committee has represented a broad array of agricultural,

animal welfare and wildlife interests.

“Hispanic farmers and ranchers are active in all facets of U.S. agriculture today,” noted

Undersecretary Edward Avalos. “In 2007, they sold more than $12.7 billion worth of agricultural

products from their farms and ranches. Also, women now represent almost a third of all farm

operators in our latest census. USDA is seeking to have this committee represent the complex

diversity of American farmers and ranchers.”

Women have a growing presence in U.S. agriculture, running more farms and

ranches, operating more land, and producing a greater value of agricultural products in the 2007

NASS census than they were five years before. That latest USDA census also identified the

strong representation of African American and Native Americans farmers and ranchers.

The Secretary will select members to obtain the broadest possible representation on the

Committee. Appointments to the Committee will follow equal opportunity practices, in line with

the USDA policies. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into

account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership should include

individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with

disabilities.

Consideration will be given to nominations received on or before March 11, 2013. Nomination

packages may be sent by postal mail or commercial delivery to The Honorable Thomas Vilsack,

Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC

20250, Attn: Secretary’s National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee. Nomination packages

may also be faxed to (301) 734-5157.

Requests for further information, should be addressed to Ms. Carrie Joyce, Designated Federal

Officer, WS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 87, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3999.

Nomination forms are available from Ms. Joyce or on the Internet at

http://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/doc/AD-755.pdf