Below are highlights from an article by Colleen Kottke published in Wisconsin State Farmer on September 18, 2019.
Ag industry groups from across Wisconsin are calling for the state’s ag oversight agency to scrap proposed changes affecting the local approval of new or expanding livestock facilities.
During a press conference at the state capitol, the groups—representing farms across the state as well as ag-related businesses in the livestock and dairy industry—say changes to ATCP 51 may force some farms out of business, with the ripple effect harming businesses supported by the farm community from agricultural consultants and supply cooperatives to manufacturers of animal feed and health products.
The Wisconsin Dairy Alliance which represents regulated dairy farms in Wisconsin said the current livestock siting law was the result of months of negotiation among livestock agriculture, the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Towns Association.
“The end result was a compromise with bipartisan support,” said Cindy Leitner, president of the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance, which represents large, regulated farms. “DATCP staff ignored suggestions from livestock agriculture and instead is proposing to put existing CAFO operations at significant financial risk at a time they can least afford.”
Read the article in its entirety at https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2019/09/16/ag-groups-say-siting-rule-changes-damaging-farmers-and-ag-industry/2345653001/
