Illinois Fish Farmers Co-op
Submitted by Doug Wojcieszak

The Illinois General Assembly is considering legislation (HB 1900/SB 725) to provide $1 million dollars per year for ten years to develop the Illinois Fish Farmers Co-op. The funding for the co-op will be derived by diverting $0.006 cents per pound of the current Illinois retail sales tax on seafood. HB 1900 passed the Illinois House 114-0, and SB 725 passed the Senate 53-2. Both bills will soon be presented to Illinois Governor George Ryan for his approval.

The co-op will work with the fish processing center and Illinois fish farmers to develop and organize Illinois' aquaculture industry. The co-op will use their funding source to:

· Hire extension staff
· Provide diagnostic services
· Institute quality standards in the Illinois industry
· Identify and fund research needs
· Develop education programs in high schools

More details will be available in July. If you have questions call Doug Wojcieszak at 217-782-5409.