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Romanski Named WI Ag Secretary
Tue, Aug 31, 2010

WI Governor Jim Doyle announced the appointment Monday of Randy Romanski as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). He replaces Rod Nilsestuen, who died in July while swimming in Lake Superior. Romanski served as Nilsestuen’s Deputy Secretary since December 2007.

Prior to joining DATCP, Romanski served as the Executive Assistant for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, deputy chief of staff for Governor Jim Doyle; executive assistant for the Department of Transportation; and spokesperson and policy analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He has also held staff positions in both the WI State Senate and the WI State Assembly, working directly on agricultural, rural affairs and natural resources issues.

MWFPA Testifies on WI Phosophorus Rule
Mon, Aug 2, 2010
On July 28 MWFPA President Nick George presented testimony, before the WI State Senate Committee on Environment, opposing a proposed rule regulating phosphorus discharge by processing facilities. The regulation is expected to cost in excess of $3 billion statewide and will affect food and diary processors, cheese makers, paper mills and municipal wastewater treatment facilities. 
 
During the five-hour hearing, opponents including representatives from the Cooperative Network, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and municipalities, stressed that the rule will be expensive, is confusing and unclear, and will not accomplish meaningful reductions in phosphorus. 
 
Expectations are that neither the Senate committee, nor the Assembly committee to which the rule was referred, will take any action.  If neither committee objects to the rule either in whole, or in part, it will become law.
 
MWFPA's testimony can be viewed here.
Controversial WI Phosphorus Rule To Get Hearing
Fri, Jul 16, 2010

The WI State Senate Committee on Environment, chaired by Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona), has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 411 South of the State Capitol on a proposed Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources phosphorus discharge rule.

Implementation of the rule is expected to cost in excess of $3 billion statewide and will primarily affect food and dairy processors, cheese makers, paper mills and municipal wastewater treatment facilities.  MWFPA continues to express concerns about the rule as currently written.  Read the joint memorandum addressed to all Wisconsin legislators issued by MWFPA and other industry groups opposing implementation of the rule.
MWFPA Expresses Concern Over Wind Turbine Siting
Mon, Jul 12, 2010

The Midwest Food Processors Association has submitted comments to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission expressing the processing industry’s concern about placing wind turbines in intense vegetable growing areas. 

 Noting that high value vegetable production requires timely aerial application of pesticides, MWFPA finds the siting of large wind turbines will impact the ability of growers and processors to use aerial application due to safety concerns. Read the Association's comments here.

WI DNR Approves Costly Phosphorus Rule
Wed, Jun 23, 2010
The WI Department of Natural Resources Board of Directors voted 7-0 today to adopt stringent new phosphorus discharge rules. The action could cost industry and municipal ratepayers billions of dollars.
 
The proposed rule continues to be opposed by the MWFPA due to the significant costs associated with implementation. One estimate put the cost in excess of $4 billion over a 20-year period. The DNR estimated the cost to industry, municipalities, developers and farmers could reach $1.13 billion. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District estimated that the cost of compliance for new equipment alone could reach $500 million or more.
 
MWFPA has expressed concern that the rule sets unrealistic goals for point-source dischargers while doing little to nothing to lower phosphorus levels in Wisconsin's surface waters. 
 
The rule now goes to the State Legislature for review before final adoption. However, nothing requires the committee to which the rule is referred to hold a hearing or take any action.  Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alama), who chairs the State Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education, has indicated the rules may be substantial enough to warrant a hearing by the end of July.