There’s some wins and losses at the governor’s mansion for Wisconsin agriculture.
Wisconsin cheesemakers are applauding the signature of Assembly bills 130 and 131 creating new, long-needed clarity on PFAS liability standards. It also unlocks more than $133 million in funding dedicated to PFAS remediation across Wisconsin. That’s a win!
On the other side of the coin is a disappointing veto on legislation to freeze livestock inspection fees. These fees are charged by the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Increasing fees charged to livestock marketing operations and truckers that transport those animals has been discussed since last fall. The fees cover expenses related to traceability. Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Livestock Sales Association, has testified that these fees are a result of DATCP losing shared funding sources.
Senator Pat Testin, chair of the Senate Agriculture and
Revenue Committee, says they had negotiated a bill that would freeze fees until more options could be reviewed. With the governor’s veto, that pause goes away.
Testin expressed frustration due to a Supreme Court ruling in 2025. That ruling limits the legislature’s oversight on state agencies, including DATCP and DNR. Testin says this is an example of DATCP deciding to proceed with their plan regardless of the negative impact it might have on the producers they serve. He hopes there’s more discussion on options coming.
