If you have questions or comments about SDCA Policy Resolutions please contact Jodie at the SDCA office 605-945-2333.
SDCA is currently working on these policy issues.
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10.27.11 Department of Agriculture: Division of Ag Development: (October 27, 2011) intends to amend South Dakota Certified Beef Program rules by changing the definition of verifiable address, updating beef quality assurance (BQA) references, and changing enrollment criteria. The general authority for these rules, as cited by the department, is SDCL 39-24-6. A public hearing will be held in the Mathews Training Center, Foss Building, 523 EastCapitol, Pierre, South Dakota, on December 1, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained from and written comments sent to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, 523 E. Capitol Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota 57501. Material sent by mail must reach the department by November 28, 2011, to be considered. This hearing is being held in aphysically accessible place. Persons who have special needs for which the department can make arrangements are asked to call (605) 773-5436 at least 48 hours before the hearing. Proposed changes documentation
3-4-11 SDCA Comments on Proposed Changes to NRCS "590 Standard"
Dealing with Nutrient Management
1-26-11 South Dakota Animal Care Law Review results
8-13-10 SDCA Comments on Proposed Dust Standards: EPA recently released its Policy Assessment for the Review of the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standard: Second External Review Draft (June 2010). The Policy Assessment presents EPA staff conclusions regarding the adequacy of the current PM10 (i.e. dust) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) as well as potential alternative standards for consideration by the EPA Administrator and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). In that document, EPA staff conclude that, depending on the emphasis placed on the evidence and uncertainties, the Administrator would be justified in either retaining the current standard or in revising it to make it more stringent. If the Administrator were to make a policy judgment to revise the standard and make it more stringent, EPA staff suggests considering a standard which is essentially twice as stringent as the current standard. Such a level would require the designation of many more nonattainment areas than currently exist, and would be very difficult, if not impossible, for many cattle operations to meet.
Last month, SDCA joined many other South Dakota ag groups in asking Governor Rounds to weigh-in with EPA on this issue and we thank him and his Administration for expressing concerns on behalf of South Dakota’s ag producers. Click on the following links to view each:
1) Letter to Governor Rounds;
2) Governor Rounds letter to EPA;
3) SDCA Comments submitted to EPA today.
4) EPA letter to Governor Rounds
SDCA, along with SD Farm Bureau and SD Public Lands recently sent a letter to Senator Tim Johnson voicing concern on his intent to introduce legislation to designate a portion of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands as Wilderness. To read this letter,click here.
*** 6.18.10 ***
The Senate Public Lands and Forest Subcommittee held a hearing earlier this week on S 3310 – Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010. SDCA policy opposes wilderness designations as a permanent land management practice and we have been proactively engaged on this issue since before S 3310 was introduced. Many other groups who use the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands have also expressed opposition, but thus far our objections seem to be falling on deaf ears. We urge individuals, especially those near the proposed wilderness area, to weigh in with Senator Johnson’s office and your local media outlets and let them know why a wilderness designation is NOT in the best interests of South Dakotans. More information can be found at the links below:
S. 3310 Bill Information: www.thomas.gov (search bill number S. 3310)
Subcommittee Hearing Information: Click HERE
Senator Thune’s Hearing Remarks: Click HERE
Contact Senator Johnson’s Office: Click HERE
To read SDCA's recent Press Release concerning this wilderness designation, click HERE.
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6.09.10 ACTION ALERT
Contact Senator Johnson TODAY and ask him to VOTE YES on SJ Resolution 26!!
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote tomorrow, June 10, on S.J. Res.26, which would curtail the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to regulate greenhouse gases. Senator John Thune is a co-sponsor of this bi-partisan resolution. Senator Johnson needs to be contacted today, urging him to support S.J. Res. 26.
If EPA regulations are allowed to go into effect, it would cost an estimated $23,300 in extra permitting fees for more than 37,000 farms and ranches - adding up to more than $866 million in additional costs on America's farmers and ranchers. Meanwhile, the EPA itself admits there is only a weak, indirect link between greenhouse gases and public health and welfare, and that unilateral actions by the United States would have no material impact on global warming.
The attached letter was sent yesterday to Senator Johnson, signed by ten SD agricultural organizations. Please take a moment to contact Senator Johnson today urging him to support S.J. Res. 26. (To read the press release, click here.)
Senator Johnson’s Contact Information:
Phone: 202-224-5842
Fax: 202-228-5765
E-mail: http://johnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm
Website: http://johnson.senate.gov/public/
03.26.10 ACTION ALERT
Again, contact your legislators regarding the proposed budget cuts to AES and CES!
CLICK HERE for more information!!!
03.09.10 ACTION ALERT
Contact your legislators regarding proposed budget cuts to Extension!
Thursday, March 4th, some members of the Republican leadership held a press conference to announce their proposed cuts to the FY 2011 budget. Included within that plan are cuts of $400,000.00 for CES (Cooperative Extension Service) and $500,000.00 for AES (Agricultural Experiment Station). In fiscal year 2010, the legislature imposed budget cuts of $400,000 in AES and $200,000 in CES. Further significant budget cuts for fiscal year 2011 would be especially disproportionate over the two years compared to most other state agencies.
We encourage you to contact your legislators ASAP to express your concerns regarding Extension cuts. Click here for additional information regarding the proposed cuts. You may contact your legislators via the following:
03.05.10 SDCA joined with several other ag groups to encourage SD Attorney General Marty Jackley to intervene on behalf of SD ag producers in discouraging EPA from regulating greenhouse gases (GhGs) under the Clean Air Act. In a letter to Mr. Jackley mailed today, South Dakota’s ag groups pointed out that regulation of GhGs under the Clean Air Act would be detrimental to South Dakota’s economy. Click here to read the letter.
03.05.10 SDCA President Bryan Nagel submitted a letter to Sen. Johnson encouraging him to support the bi-partisan resolution introduced by Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Lincoln (D-AR) that formally states the Senate’s disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to self-impose restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. Nagel’s letter was also submitted to area newspapers and a copy of the letter can be found here.
SDCA joined the SD Farm Bureau, SD Pork Producers Council, SD Association of Cooperatives, and the State Veterinarian in forming an ad hoc group to review South Dakota’s existing statutes pertaining to animal care. As this effort moves forward, a variety of groups and individuals will be invited to participate and share their perspectives on animal care issues. To read the press release announcing this effort, click here.
SDCA ACTION ALERT on Senate Bill 75...click here for more information.
SDCA, along with 137 other agricultural groups nationwide, recently submitted a letter supporting a Senate resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act to be offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). If Congress approves a resolution of disapproval, it would effectively stop the EPA from moving forward with regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.
Click here to read the letter...
"Thune Highlights Ag Groups' Support of Resolution Disapproving of EPA Energy Tax"
SDCA submitted a letter to the Congressional delegation that addresses new/revised policy on current topics, including health care reform, climate change, and the use of antibiotics in livestock production. 2009 Convention Policy Letter, 01-06-10
SDCA joined with 10 other agricultural groups in sending a letter to all state legislators, expressing our concerns about efforts to make animal cruelty a felony. Our letter also points out that proper animal care is of utmost concern to the state's farm and ranch families.
Legislative Animal Rights Letter, 10-26-09
Clean Water Restoration Act -- June 2009
CWRA Letter Submitted by SDCA
Climate Change
SDCA submitted the above comments to the EPA regarding the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on regulating Greenhouse Gass (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
SDCA strongly opposes any effort to regulate GHGs under the current programs of CAA.
Clean Water Restoration Act
March 30, 2009
2010 SDCA Legislative Updates
Legislative Update 1-21-10
Legislative Update 1-29-10
Legislative Update 2-4-10
Legislative Update 2-12-10
Legislative Update 2-19-10
Legislative Update 2-25-10
Legislative Update 3-5-10
Legislative Update 3-11-10
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