By Blake Jackson
Following extensive public feedback, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is making significant revisions to two of its administrative rules ATCP 10 (Animal Disease and Movement) and ATCP 12 (Animal Markets, Dealers, and Truckers). Hundreds of comments were submitted during the public comment period, prompting DATCP to modify its original proposals.
“DATCP appreciates the many stakeholders and interested parties who engaged in this public comment process for proposed revisions to ATCP 10 and 12,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski.
“Once the public comment period closed, DATCP expeditiously reviewed the comments and began work on substantial modifications to the rules, including significantly reducing the proposed fees that fund these important animal health programs. Wisconsin farmers and businesses rely on these animal health programs, and it’s important that DATCP work with the industry to find a sustainable way to fully fund them.”
Feedback from the public emphasized several key points the critical need to protect animal health, the concern that the agricultural industry should not bear the full cost of these essential programs, and the importance of identifying additional funding sources that benefit the entire state.
The revised proposal will now include only an inflationary adjustment, reflecting the 17 years since fees were last updated. However, with the reduced fees, DATCP acknowledges that additional state funding will be required to maintain full program support.
DATCP plans to collaborate with industry partners and the legislature to secure new revenue sources and will publish the updated fee structure and revised rules prior to presenting them at an upcoming DATCP Board meeting.
Photo Credit: wisconsin-doa
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy, Livestock