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Wisconsin proposal addresses local ordinances, Prop 12

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering legislation that supporters say would bring more certainty to livestock operations. 

The Protect our Farms Act, Assembly Bill 957, would block cities, villages, and towns from having stricter animal welfare rules like housing and medications than the state already has, but Dairy Business Association lobbyist Chad Zuleger says the bill also addresses laws like California’s Proposition 12. “That would put Wisconsin on record saying our products, our farmers have autonomy to stay within state law but to sell their products everywhere and we bring products in.”

Zuleger says the Protect Our Farms Act has a chance to reach the Governor’s desk in the final weeks of the legislative session. “The Assembly looks like they may be willing to calendar this for later this week, and again, that’s what we’re here for is to advocate for this and see if we can get the Senate on the same page.”

Along with the Protect our Farms legislation, dairy farmers lobbied lawmakers in support of a carbon calculator bill, a grassland grazing bill, contaminated well compensation, dairy labeling bills, and the tax incremental financing bill supporting a soybean crush plant in southern Wisconsin.

AUDIO: Chad Zuleger spoke to Brownfield during Dairy Day at the Capitol, the annual lobbying event hosted by the Dairy Business Association.