Wisconsin Ag Organizations Submit Comments to DNR Regarding Proposed Rule Change for Farms

Monday, August 8th, 2022 -- 9:00 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) A pair of Wisconsin agricultural organizations have submitted comments to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources highlighting concerns with a proposed rule that they claim would have serious consequences for farmers.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative said in a media release that the proposed regulation would require that pesticide applicators obtain a DNR-approved lake management plan prior to applying pesticide to treat invasive plants on lakes. This new requirement applies even if only EPA-approved pesticides are used and the applicator follows all label requirements.

"Our organizations are deeply concerned by the precedent set by this rulemaking. If this rule is successful, it seems plausible (if not likely) that the next step for DNR is to require DNR-approved plans before applying pesticide on crops," said Venture Dairy Cooperative Director Kim Bremmer. "This would be devastating to Wisconsin's farmers."

WDA President Cindy Leitner added that the EPA has already investigated and approved the application of these pesticides. "Farmers don't need any more unnecessary regulatory hoops to jump through from the DNR," Leitner said.

The groups have requested that the rule be sent back to staff for further work to ensure farmers will not be impacted.

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