Governor Walker Considering Moving CAFOs to Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Sunday, February 12th, 2017 -- 6:32 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Gov. Scott Walker's state budget proposal calls for a study to determine whether the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture should take on the authority of permitting and regulating concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, rather than keeping it under the Department of Natural Resources' jurisdiction.As part of his 2017-19 spending plan released on Wednesday, Walker says the feasibility study would determine if it makes sense for DATCP to assume those duties, even though DNR is responsible for enforcing state water protection laws. The governor is also requesting a provision in the budget that would add four DNR staff positions to the division that works with the CAFO program to more effectively issue and enforce permits. The state currently has 200 CAFOs, which are farms with more than 700 cows.
In addition, Walker says he would like to see the DNR reorganized in such a way where one division of the agency could focus on growing and promoting Wisconsin's sporting heritage, while the other office would concentrate on protecting the environment and natural resources. Meanwhile, leaders of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau feel Walker's budget proposal is good for Wisconsin's agricultural industry. Walker's budget will now be considered by the Legislature. The biennial fiscal year begins on July 1.
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