State Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, met with local farmers March 7 during a town hall meeting at the Fogelsville Fire Company.

Accompanying Day was Pennsylvania Agricultural Secretary George D. Greig.

Greig had an open discussion forum with the attendees, responding to and expanding on their questions and concerns.

He said the federal sequester will have an impact on the ability of the agriculture department to fulfill its role of oversight and inspection of agricultural products within the commonwealth.

No one is sure, however, of the exact impact and how it may affect food inspections.

Greig also discussed his department's responsibility for testing race horses.

Since 1981, the Department of Agriculture has been responsible for testing the winner and the second-place horse for banned drugs.

In 1981, there were only two tests per horse that needed to be done.

Now, there are 2,500 tests per horse.

Greig said the law should be changed to make the horse owner responsible for the testing, relieving his department of a large expense.

Day said his expertise was in business and not farming but any questions the farmers had, he and his staff would see they are promptly addressed.