(The Center Square) – Clean water and fewer regulations top the wish list for Wisconsin dairymen as lawmakers get back to work as the Dairy Business Association released its priorities list for the new legislative session in Madison.
“The priorities we’ve set…are strategically designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s dairy community,” the DBA’s Chad Zulege said in a statement.
The list is familiar to most lawmakers and most dairy farmers in the state. It includes a push for more clean water projects, but also makes it clear that dairy farmers don’t want additional layers of government.
Specifically, the DBA says it has five main priorities for the new legislature:
● Protect the Integrity of Wisconsin Dairy – Protecting the dairy industry from disruptions that could impede its growth and sustainability while encouraging essential research initiatives. This includes attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, as well as providing educational opportunities for future generations.
● Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Enhance Rural Communities – DBA promotes policies that encourage regulatory consistency and fairness while fostering the growth and resilience of rural communities through infrastructure investment and support for agriculture-friendly initiatives.
● Promote Economic Support and Development – Ensuring farmers have policymakers’ support to invest in new technologies and initiatives is necessary for industry advancement.
● Support Clean Water Initiatives – DBA supports efforts that address concerns about nitrates in groundwater, including existing programs that help farmers improve water quality. It looks for balance between environmental protections and economic vitality for Wisconsin dairy farmers.
● Build a Lasting Agriculture Transportation Infrastructure – Supporting policies aimed at improving transportation infrastructure for dairy producers and processors in Wisconsin is crucial for enhancing efficiency and competitiveness in the industry.
Zulege said the theme of these priorities is simple.
“DBA collaborates with farmer members and agricultural partners to promote sensible policies and common-sense regulations that will enhance the overall success of the dairy industry in our state. These key priority areas will help keep dairy moving forward,” he added.
Wisconsin lawmakers are beginning their work for the new, two-year session.
Gov. Tony Evers will deliver his State of the State speech tonight and his budget address next month.
The Republican-controlled legislature is then supposed to have a new budget written by the end of June.