Community Corner
O’Neill Sponsors Measure Supporting Agri-Business in CT
HARTFORD –Representative Arthur J. O’Neill (R-69) has sponsored legislation this session which is aimed at creating a more competitive maple syrup market in Connecticut. The bill passed the State House of Representatives on Tuesday, and passed the State Senate on Thursday.
The proposal would encourage economic growth in the state’s agricultural industry by allowing more maple sugar extraction to be performed on private property. The bill offers protection to land owners from civil liability for injuries sustained on the private property in the same way it is currently offered to fruit and vegetable growers.
“Maple syrup production is a growing agri-business in the state, and this measure offers it the opportunity to flourish the way similar businesses have,” said Rep. O’Neill. “There has been a natural expansion of maple syrup production commensurate with the increasing demand for local foods. There are many syrup producers right in my district. We should clear the way for the producers of good quality maple syrup and allow them to compete with neighboring states.”
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Organizations associated with maple-sugaring activities support the legislation, including the Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut, which claim that only one-tenth of 1 percent of the state’s eligible trees are tapped. Compared to Vermont – with 4 percent of maple-sugaring trees tapped – and Quebec – an eye-popping 33 percent – Connecticut’s maple syrup output is lagging competitively.
More than 90 percent of Connecticut residents consume maple syrup from outside the state. O’Neill believes the production of local syrup will have a large economic impact and help small state businesses thrive.
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“The clear reason producers have given for the low output of maple syrup is the concern they have for the liability associated with opening forest land and tapping,” said Rep. O’Neill. “The Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut estimates that removing this hurdle will move the value of syrup output from $1 million to $20 million annually.”
The bill, HB 5340, An Act Concerning the Liability of a Landowner Who Permits Maple-Sugaring Activities on the Land now heads to the desk of Governor Dannel P. Malloy for his signature. This session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns at midnight on Wednesday, May 7th.
