Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

2008 Annual Meeting Resolutions

COPPER COUNTRY FARM BUREAU 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

APPROVED RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution: Capital assets held for long periods of time appreciate in value, but most of the increased value is due to inflation.  Taxes are being paid on gains in value of the asset even when the asset's true worth may not have increased.  Therefore, we urge capital assets be taxed on true gains as indexed for inflation.  Affirmed

2. Resolution: Michigan Farm Bureau policy calls for the State of Michigan to pay for crop loss resulting from protected wildlife.  We request this policy be activated immediately and given top priority in Michigan.  Affirmed

3. Resolution: Water used by Great Lakes Basin agriculture should not be considered a diversion or subject to regulation, regardless of user location.  We support authority of the Great Lakes States and Canadian Provinces to control, protect, and preserve the Great Lakes.  We oppose diversion of water in its natural state from the Great Lakes Basin, the labeling of agricultural water use as consumptive use, attempts to limit efficient agricultural water use, water use permitting and the presumption that agricultural water users cause significant adverse impacts to the Great Lakes Basin eco-system.  Affirmed

4. Resolution: Michigan has lost its TB-free status.  The State of Michigan paid for whole herd testing to help eliminate this problem.  For many farmers, their whole herd test has expired and any future testing must be borne by the farmer.  We urge that until this TB problem is eliminated and interstate cattle markets returned to previous levels, the State continues to pay for the specified TB testing needed by Michigan livestock producers.  Affirmed

5. Resolution: We request that the State of Michigan provide 24/7 surveillance of transport of livestock at the Mackinac Bridge.  Affirmed

6. Resolution: Due to a lack of market information because we do not have a market reporter in Michigan, and our marketing opportunities are limited to Michigan, we request reinstatement of the Michigan Market Livestock Reporter.  (USDA News Service provides reporters and the Michigan Department of Agriculture would share the cost.) Affirmed

7. Resolution:  We request that the State of Michigan provide annual certification of weights and measures in the Upper Peninsula.  Affirmed

8. Resolution:  We request enforcement of laws governing the use of slow moving vehicle signs.  The misuse is by residents using the signs as driveway and property markers, effectively diluting their effectiveness when used properly.  Affirmed

9. Resolution: As the need for increased amounts of alternative fuels grows, we support all efforts to develop the use of cellulosic materials to produce ethanol that are economical and sustainable. Affirmed

10. Resolution: Due to the increasing number of wolf-livestock and pet incidents in the Upper Peninsula and the fact that there are no areas left, in the U.P., that are not already occupied by wolves, we recommend: that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources live-trap problem wolves and relocate them to suitable habitat in lower Michigan.  Special consideration should be the TB areas in the N.E. lower peninsula for release.  Affirmed

11. Resolution: Because wolves have been acclimated and become accustomed to humans, and as their numbers grow, more acts of predation are occurring on pets and livestock.

Therefore Michigan legislature and the D.N.R should open a hunting and/or trapping season on wolves anytime the population reaches 250% of the viable species base level.  Affirmed