Wisconsin Ag Connection - JFC Says No to New CAFO Fees, Yes to Increased DNR Staff

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JFC Says No to New CAFO Fees, Yes to Increased DNR Staff
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/12/2019

Republican members of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee decided against a plan proposed by Governor Tony Evers to increase the fees that Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations would pay for their annual permits, but did allocate funding in the state budget for the creation of a new dairy innovation center. The lawmakers also designated money to help cover new staff at the Department of Natural Resources to oversee CAFOs in Wisconsin.

The panel voted 12-4 on party lines on Tuesday in favor of the spending bill. Evers wanted to nearly double the cost of farm permits, while adding a new $3,270 fee that CAFOs would have to send to the state once every five years in order to designate money for five new DNR employees.

GOP lawmakers says $8.8 million would be set aside during the next two years to pay for a new Dairy Innovation Hub at the University of Wisconsin campuses in Madison, Platteville and River Falls to help develop ways to produce and market new dairy products.

The JFC hopes to send its entire budget to the governor's desk by the end of the month.

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