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Bill would put farmers on FFA drone committee

Three U.S. senators are sponsoring a bi-partisan bill to ensure agriculture, forestry and rural America are represented on the FAA’s drone policy committee.

Senators Gary Peters of Michigan, John Thune of South Dakota and Pat Roberts of Kansas also propose including local government officials on the committee.

Since it was first announced in 2016, the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee has not included anyone from the ag or forestry sectors.

The bill calls for a public nomination process.

Senator Peters (a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee) says the bill will “elevate the voices of agriculture, forestry and other drone users” so economic growth and innovation will be fostered.

Senator Thune says farmers will increasingly rely on drones to manage their farms and rural areas like South Dakota “where agriculture is the state’s top industry, deserve to have a seat at the table” when it comes to setting drone policies and best practices.