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Ag groups watching IL General Assembly

Ag groups say they’re closely watching several legislative proposals in the Illinois General Assembly.

Jennifer Tirey, executive director with the Illinois Pork Producers Association, says their members are concerned over potential livestock regulations.

“There are several pieces of legislation that dropped the very last day, almost on the 11th hour related to the Livestock Management Facilities Act and some potential regulatory changes,” she says.

AUDIO: Jennifer Tirey – Illinois Pork Producers

Kevin Johnson, president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, says his group is pushing a bill to change pesticide application testing requirements in the state.

“You take that test every three years.”  He says, “What we’re looking to do is you can still do that if that’s what you want. But what we’re looking to do is once you pass that test, that you can take continuous education credits every year. You will not have to take that test every three years; you just have to write the check out to the department of ag for your license.”

Tirey tells Brownfield ag groups need to focus on educating lawmakers.

“Once they’re elected, we try to invite them to come on a hog farm,” she says, “because then it seems like once you’ve explained the process, it’s much harder to regulate when you actually understand what type of work goes into raising those animals.”

Johnson says it’ll be a busy spring for lobbyists as other ag impacting legislation being considered includes multiple estate tax plans, emissions regulations, and potential bans on some pesticides.

AUDIO: KJ Johnson – Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association