Local farmers, DPI fight farm regulation bills

MARYLAND –  Maryland farmers and the Delmarva Poultry Industry were in Annapolis Wednesday in opposition to two pieces of legislation.

Senate Bill 542, the Community Healthy Air Act, is a bill that has been introduced, but not passed in previous General Assembly’s.

Officials with DPI say this bill would create a complicated and costly system of monitoring air emissions. They add there is a partnership in place with the Campbell Foundation to fund air monitoring stations on the shore.

We’re told these costs would effect many farms here on the eastern shore.

“It gathers into its scope, farms raising horses, raising beef or dairy cattle, farms raising pigs for corn production. So it’s broader than just the chicken farms,” said James Fisher, the communications manager for DPI.

DPI was also in Annapolis for a hearing on Senate Bill 546, regarding monitoring of nutrient management.

Fisher says the organization is opposed to this bill because it adds costs and complexities to the transfer of manure. He adds the bill would cause local farmers to turn to synthetic fertilizers.

“We’re worried that just adding costs and complexity to that would encourage farmers to just give up and turn to synthetic fertilizer and that often is not as good for soil health and it could cost them more, and it’s just not a good outcome,” said Fisher.

We have reached out to the Maryland Department of Environment and multiple sponsors of these bills and have yet to receive comment on these bills. DPI tells us they will be in Annapolis for future hearings.