LANSING, Mich. — Farmers and their tractors took a stand at the capitol Tuesday in protest of government overreach in the agriculture sector.
Organized in part by Rep. Luke Meerman (R – Coopersville) and Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R – Quincy), Michigan farmers were invited to bring their tractors down to the capitol during the House Oversight Committee meeting to protest and give testimony on what Meerman and Wortz consider to be “burdensome regulations” that have increased the costs for the agriculture industry.
“Out-of-control bureaucracy has heaped heavy burdens on farmers, food processors, and other Michiganders who work hard to put safe, healthy food on tables around the world,” Wortz, who grew up on a crop and beef farm and currently owns and operates a poultry farm, said. “In the House of Representatives, we’re shedding a light on unnecessary regulations…”
Some of the regulations in question include rules from state regulators such as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regarding water withdrawal restrictions, hazardous waste permit requirements, wetland regulations, fees, fines and permit approval time.
“If they were to trust us, which you know, they should, we wouldn’t have to spend so much time in Lansing,” Aaron Bennett of Bennett Farms in Fremont, said. “We wouldn’t have to spend so much time worrying about permitting. The markets are tight, our margins are tight. You know, farming is a lifestyle and it’s generational. I think they lose touch of the fact that it is every farmer’s goal to save that environment for their next generation. And EGLE seems to not maybe see that the way we think they should.”
Farms and food-processing companies create tens of thousands of job, employing 17.2% of the state’s population, and contribute $104.7 billion to the economy annually, according to Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) officials.
“When you see farmers come up here and tractors to Lansing to make a point, you better listen,” Rep. Reggie Miller (D – Van Buren Township), said. “Michigan is the second most diverse agriculture state in the country and I’m so proud that we have led the nation in the production of so many crops and products last year.”
EGLE, in response to the House Oversight Committee meeting, sent the following statement:
We at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recognize how vital our agriculture and regulated industries are to the state’s economy. We have been and continue to be committed to implementing effective programs that support the needs of the agricultural community while also protecting public health and safeguarding our natural resources.
EGLE executive staff members attended today’s and last week’s House Oversight Committee meetings, however, we were not invited to speak at those meetings. We welcome the opportunity and are working with the committee chair to schedule a time to talk with committee members about our efforts to cut red tape while protecting the environment in a way that benefits all Michiganders.
