Michigan agriculture is committed to protecting the environment, ensuring public safety, and supporting responsible production. Overlapping or inconsistent regulations can create confusion, cost, and inefficiency. Michigan Farm Bureau calls on state and federal agencies, land-grant universities, and stakeholders to collaborate in developing clear, science-based, and user-friendly programs that prioritize problem-solving over punishment and recognize agriculture’s positive contributions to environmental health.
We support:
- Timely enforcement of water quality standards based on credible, scientifically valid data.
- Legislation requiring credible data be used to guide policy on air quality and water quality and quantity.
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) intervention on behalf of farmers who are cooperating with state agencies to address pollution challenges.
- Using enforcement penalty funds to support pollution prevention in agriculture.
- Authorizing permits at the local level in accordance with state and federal rules to provide for more timely decisions.
- Water quality testing as an alternative to strict well setback standards when siting facilities.
- Updated fertilizer and manure nutrient utilization guidelines that reflect current science and technology, including Tri-State recommendations and Extension guidelines.
- Flexibility for unlimited on-farm fuel, chemical, and fertilizer storage with uniform, consistent, and adequate containment standards and regulations across all levels of government.
- Voluntary implementation of pollution prevention practices.
- MFB doing public outreach to counter misinformation portraying agriculture as harmful to the environment
We oppose:
- A statewide septic code requiring mandatory inspections of private septic systems.
- Local fertilizer or pesticide regulations stricter than MDARD or Environmental Protection Agency standards.
- Legislation that undermines the economic viability of agriculture.
- Presuming farmers responsible for pollution without credible evidence.
- Agency labeling of farms (e.g., CAFO, GMO, or similar identifiers) in communications or public records.
- State regulation of animal agriculture exceeding federal requirements.