National Ag News
Ballast water bill passes Michigan House
A bill passed by Michigan’s House of Representatives could make the state’s shipping industry more competitive with other Great Lakes states and Canadian providences.
In 2005, Michigan lawmakers passed legislation that regulated ocean-bound ships ability to discharge ballast water with the thought surrounding states would follow suit to reduce the spread of invasive species.
“Michigan is the only state that has regulations that are this restrictive, and what that has meant is that you can’t load ships in Michigan, you can’t load vessels in Michigan.”
Michigan Agri-Business Association President Jim Byrum says the regulations have limited Michigan’s ability to export and redirected ships to other states to move ag products.
Continue reading Ballast water bill passes Michigan House at Brownfield Ag News.
