January 15, 2008

For more information: Justin Schneider, 317-692-7835

jschneider@infarmbureau.org 

Kathleen Dutro, 317-692-7824

kdutro@infarmburearu.org 

Farm Bureau hopes report helps state agencies

streamline regulation of agriculture

Following months of work, a task force commissioned in 2007 by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman to study the governmental structure of the 13 agencies and other government-related structures that regulate agriculture has released its recommendations.

“I congratulate the lieutenant governor for taking the initiative to find ways to streamline the regulatory agencies and find more seamless ways to work together,” said IFB President Don Villwock. “Farm Bureau looks forward to working with the Daniels administration to make sure that these principles are followed.”

“If the Daniels administration wants to pursue these changes, we would generally support any kind of effort that would improve the coordination of the regulation of our industry. More interagency coordination and communication is needed to reduce the regulatory burden placed on producers while at the same time protecting consumers and the environment,” Villwock said.

Among the suggestions in the report that Farm Bureau finds particularly important are:

• A proposal to create an agriculture regulatory council, which would consist of the heads of all cabinet and non-cabinet agencies that regulate or promote agriculture.
• A recommendation that the General Assembly define the roles of state agencies and local governments with respect to animal feeding operations in order to eliminate duplication and reduce conflicts.
• A recommendation that the General Assembly transfer authority to regulate residential septic systems from the Indiana State Department of Health to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management “in order to eliminate duplication and to make implementation more efficient.”

            The task force met 18 times between December 2007 and December 2008. Villwock praised the members for their hard work, particularly IFB staff attorney Justin Schneider, who, as vice-chair of the task force, spent nearly 100 days’ worth of staff time facilitating the task force and writing the final report. For more information on the task force report, farmers should call Justin Schneider, 317-692-7835.

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