I asked the Farm Bureau about their opposing of SB55 and accualy got to
talk to Merlin L. Fagan, Jr. Director of Enviromental Affairs.
 
This is what he faxed me after being a bit well...rushed..on the phone.  I got
the impression he wasn't interested in any facts I had to give him...
Note this is a letter to Senetor Kopp that was faxed to me in answer to my
phone call to Merlin L. Fagan....
 
***
 
 
California Farm Bureau Federation
                                                James C. Eller, Manager
                                                Governmental Affairs Division
                                                1127-11th Street, Suite 626
                                                Sacramento, California 95814
                   April 20, 1995               telephone:(916)446-4647
 
Honorable Quentin Kopp
California State Senate
State Capitol
Sacramento, California 95814
 
  Dear Senator Kopp:                           RE:SENATE BILL 55-OPPOSE
 
Thank you for having your supporters provide us with background information on
some of our concerns expressed in our February 9 letter. The key issue,
survivability in California, was not satisfactorily answered by the Iowa study
that your supporters provided. Paraphrasing this study, it said "ferrets are
not likely to survive for many reasons, but if they should they would kill
rabbits and rats." The problem is that many species of rats are listed as
threatened and/or endangered. Allowing entry of an additional predator could
shift the burden to other landowners to shoulder the costs to preserve
these listed species by restricting their farming and ranching activities.
 
Additionally, we are concerned that the bill's proponents attempt to belittle
the Department of Fish and Game's efforts to demonstrate that ferrets can and
will kill poultry.
 
We will review our position when the proponents have developed California data
through research conducted in conjunction with the California Department of
Fish and Game and the University of California to establish California
survivability. This will once and for all close out this issue. We would then
examine the other means your supporters have graciously offered to ensure
responsible ownership.
 
Until the data has been compiled we must inform you that we oppose Senate Bill
55. We are available at you convenience to discuss this matter.
 
Sincerely,
Merlin L. Fagan, Jr.
Director
Environmental Affairs
 
***
 
 
One wonders what the University of California is doing to ferrets in the
research they are doing?
One also wonders how ferrets can posibly survive long enough to compete
with native predators, without getting eatten by those same predators?
 
Will the University of California be using native predators in their
survivability studies?
 
*///(sigh)///*
[Posted in FML issue 1210]