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MFBF president testifies on buffer amendment

MFBF president testifies on buffer amendment

“We believe a voluntary, incentive-based, locally designed and implemented process with technical and cost-share support is key to agriculture’s continual improvement in the conservation of our natural resources,” said MFBF President Kevin Paap. (Courtesy of Minnesota Farm Bureau)


ST. PAUL — Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) President Kevin Paap testified before the Minnesota Senate Joint Meeting of the Environment and Agriculture Finance Committees and the Minnesota House Agriculture Policy Committee expressing Farm Bureau’s opposition to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resource (BWSR) proposed Buffer Administrative Penalty Order Amendment.

“Agriculture has a vital stake in respecting and protecting our state’s resources, both for ourselves and for future generations, while remaining a leader in feeding the world,” said MFBF President Kevin Paap. “We believe a voluntary, incentive-based, locally designed and implemented process with technical and cost-share support is key to agriculture’s continual improvement in the conservation of our natural resources. We believe in a regulatory process that is transparent, consistent, accountable and cost-effective with open, fair and early stakeholder involvement. However, the proposed BWSR amendment did not follow this type of process. Implementing penalties for noncompliance with state buffer law based on linear feet of buffers is costly and unnecessary.”

Farm Bureau members from Minnesota have been submitting comments expressing their opposition to BSWR ahead of their meeting to address this amendment. MFBF appreciates the leadership of our elected officials to ensure that farmers and ranchers have a voice in the regulatory process.

— Minnesota Farm Bureau

 

Source: Morning Ag Clips