Cage REPRINTED FROM THE 1959·60 DIGEST OF CONNECTICUT Conn Doc ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR Ag82 1959/ tment of Agriculture, Conservation and 1960 Natural Resources JOSEPH N. GILL, Commissioner Joseph E. Swider, Deputy Commissiotur Established-1959. Statutory authority-Chapter 422, General Statutes Cmtral Office-650 Main St., Hartford, Tel. JAckson 7-6341 Average number of full-time employees-487 Expenditures 1959-1960-Recurring operating expenditures, $3,962,003; Capital outlay, $430,931 Organization structure-Division of Agriculture; Board of Fisheries and Game; Park and Forest Commissions; Water Resources Commission; Con­ necticut Marketing Authority; Shell Fish Commission; Natural History and Geological Survey; and the Interstate Sanitation Commission . • The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, created by Public Act No. 637, 1959 Session of the General Assembly, began operating on October l, 1959. The agency consists of the following previously autonomous agencies: Department of Agriculture; Board of Fisheries and Game; Park and Forest Commission; Water Resources Commission; Connecticut Marketing Authority; Shell Fish Commission; Natural History and Geological Survey; and the Interstate Sanitation Commission. Its basic objectives are to effectuate coordination of the policies and programs of the subordinate agencies incorpor­ ated within it and to provide central administrative direction for these agencies. The Council on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources has the re­ sponsibility of preparing proposed legislation for the 1961 General Assembly to effectively integrate the new department and provide a uniform administrative approach to its interrelated problems. To promote this coordination, the Council was given the authority to make decisions binding upon the subordinate agencies whenever the policies of these agencies conflict. However, in such cases, the Council cannot act unless the conflict involves a specific matter pending before a subordinate board or com­ mission. At present it is doubtful whether either the Council or the Commis­ sioner has the statutory authority to engage in active program planning and direction designed to coordinate effort, to utilize available resources to the fullest extent and to eliminate possible overlap and duplication. Programs remain under the control of the subordinate agencies. During the past nine months, only one case of program conflict was referred to the Council. To secure assistance in establishing itself and in preparing reorganization legislation for submission ro the 1961 General Assembly, the Department re­ quested the services of the Management Analysis Section of the State Budget Division. The survey team concentrated initially on the integration of the business management functions of the Department (i.e. budgeting, accounting, personnel administration, purchasing, and office services) and on planning and executing the Department's physical consolidation. These moves which were accomplished successfully were necessary in order ro get the Department func­ tioning as a single agency. The survey team is currently engaged in preparing recommendations which will serve as the basis for legislative proposals to be submitted by the Council to rhe next session of the General Assembly. - AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & NAT. RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-650 Main Street, Hartford, Tel. JAckson 7-6341 Joseph N. Gill, Commissioner Joseph E. Swider, Deputy Commissioner Average number of full-time employees-95 Expenditures 1959-1960-Recurring operating expenditures, $852,943; Capital outlay, $22,128 Organization structure-Eight sections: Administration, Dairy, Livestock, Marketing, Youth Farm Labor, Institutional Farms, Soil Conservation and Milk Administration. • The Department of Agriculture consists of the Commissioner of Agriculture, a Deputy Commissioner, and a nine-member Board of Agriculture, six of whom are appointed by the Governor as representative of the principal agricultural occupations in the state. The basic responsibilities of the Department are the protection of the public and assistance to those engaged in agricultural pursuits. Livestock Division The Livestock Division is charged with the prevention, control and eradica­ tion of transmissible diseases of domestic animals and poultry. A recognition of the need for state participation in the eradication and control of diseases in livestock originated in 1872, and Connecticut through the years has kept pace with the broadening advances in veterinary science. Diseases, both human and animal, gravely influence man's existence. National preparedness and security are in part predicated on the control of animal diseases. The conservation of our meat, milk and eggs, and the assurance of a safe and abundant supply for future generations is an obligation to humanity. The disease control programs are administered by the Livestock Division in cooperation with the Agriculture Research Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, practicing veterinarians, livestock and poultry associations, indi­ vidual farmers, and the Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Connecticut. Connecticut was designated a Modified Accredited Tuberculosis Area in 1936. Since that time this status has been maintained. With diligent annual testing of all animals and the continued cooperation of the cattle owners, the past three years have disclosed less than 85 reactors a year. In August, 1957, Connecticut was declared a Modified Certified Area for brucellosis. During that year, 342 reactors were disclosed by the blood tests. During 1958-59, 258 reactors were found, and during the past year, only 118 were disclosed, showing that with continued testing and vigilance, this serious disease of cattle which is transmissible to man is gradually being eradicated. The annual meeting of accredited veterinarians has been a tremendous asset to our progress. The various aspects of programs have been discussed and many problems solved that otherwise would have continued to leave doubt in the minds of some veterinarians. It is proposed that another meeting be held this fall with greater participation by the practitioners. The Mastitis Control Program has had another successful year with more sincere cooperation from cattle owners and praCticing veterinarians. After observing the program over a period of years and realizing the need for closer Connecticut State Library 11 111 111 11 11111 11 1 1 1~ 1 1 11 111 1 1 111 111 1 11 11 1 3 0231 01330 1671 AGRICULTUk.r.., L.Ul"'~.I'..KVAlJUN & NAl. RESOURCES supervision, it is proposed to designate a senior inspector for the program. He will be a working supervisor who can assist in doing retests and by main­ taining close contact with the other inspectors in the field can improve the general operation of the program. Legislation enacted during the 1959 session requires that on and after July 1, 1960, all garbage fed to swine must be cooked. Also, since July 1, 1960, all swine raisers must register with the Department and their cooking operation must have its approval. As of that date, 30 premises and cooking equipment had been approved and licensed. It is expected that the remainder will be approved within a short time. This law is a step in the right direction with respect to the control of disease and the production of better quality pork for Con­ necticut consumers. The Cattle Dealers Law, which was enacted by the 1959 General Assembly, has proven very successful. It has added revenue to the state and permits closer supervision over dealers' sales and purchases activities. During the coming year, inspections are proposed for each dealer in order to check his records and reports of sales and purchases, which according tO law he must keep in detail for the Commissioner's inspection. During the past year, activities with respect to dog control have greatly increased due to demands by local officials for more assistance with their dog problems. Recently the Governor named a committee to review the dog laws and formulate proposals for changes in them which will be presented to the coming legislature for action. Connecticut poultrymen have passed through a difficult year due to the fact that the price of eggs and chickens has been at a low ebb. It is believed that the bottom has been reached and that from now on there will be gradual improvement. Despite such economic conditions, the poultrymen have displayed real ingenuity and should be on the road to success in another year. During the year, the Department bled and tested 558,671 birds for saminella pullorum and fowl typhoid. These figures represent a drop from the previous year. Laryngotracheitis was somewhat of a problem during the year. A total of 76 flocks was quarantined and vaccinated. All vaccines used on poultry are controlled by this Department. Permits are required for the purchase of laryngotracheitis vaccines and the use of all other vaccines is reported to the Department by manufacturers and dealers. Marketing Division The Marketing Division is responsible for maintaining a market news service for agricultural commodities, the compiling and publishing of agricultural statistics, grade certification of farm products, administration and enforcement of the seed inspection, live poultry dealers licensing, and migratory farm labor housing laws and also for maintaining and developing a promotional program for Connecticut farm products. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the division