Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Co-ops Express Continued Support of Livestock Siting Rule

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State Co-ops Express Continued Support of Livestock Siting Rule
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/16/2014

A group representing the various dairy cooperatives in the state say the eight year old Livestock Siting Rule has been effective in preserving Wisconsin's top industry. The standards, which were passed in 2006 to regulate land use across the state, are up for review this year. At a listening session hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, Cooperative Network voiced support for ATCP 51 in its current form and shared the positive effect it has had on the state's milk supply.

The group claims that having the ability to produce an adequate milk supply is vital to the state's milk processing industry, and ATCP 51 has helped cooperatives to efficiently and responsibly expand their markets.

"The original intent of the rule was to help stimulate animal agriculture in Wisconsin by making the permitting process more uniform, more predictable, and based on sound science," said David Ward, Cooperative Network director of government relations and dairy. "Prior to the rule, each county issued land use permits based on different criteria. Producers, their lenders, and local government now have a permitting process that creates outcomes rather than lawsuits."

Ward is a former legislator who authored the bill that led to ATCP 51 becoming the law of the land.

Other participants of the listening session included stakeholder organizations who represent agricultural, environmental/citizen, and governmental interests. DATCP will host two more listening sessions as part of its review.

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