Legislative Affairs: Priority Issues

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From Jon Olson, Legislative Agent, Maine Farm Bureau 1-800-639-2126.

2012 Proposed Policies to be voted on at the State Annual Meeting

November 14, 2011 - Point Lookout Resort & Conference Center

Energy-Philosophy

      Gasoline Additives:  We support the use of alternative gasoline additives instead of ethanol. Androscoggin

Taxation-Philosophy

Tax Reform:  We support a realistic tax reform proposal. Androscoggin

Estate Tax – Motor Vehicles:  We favor assessing the motor vehicle excise tax based on the actual price paid for the vehicle. Cumberland

Taxation-Action Policy

Sales Tax Review: We ask that the Maine Department of Agriculture review sales tax policies and to legislate necessary changes assuring uniform treatment for agriculture using the Connecticut model. Kennebec

Greenhouse Structures: We will work to exempt temporary greenhouse that have no foundation, are movable and depreciable from the real property tax. Waldo

Commodities-Philosophy

Meat Processing Facility-Aroostook County:  We support strategies to establish or expand a local approved red meat processing facility that allows Aroostook County livestock farmers to increase their production in a way that benefits the farmer, process and consumer.  We authorize the Aroostook County Farm Bureau President to appoint a person to the board as lead agent for business planning, grant writing and other necessary activities for the management and coordination of a red meat processing facility. Aroostook

Hay Production:  We support allowing land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) be harvest for hay in times of severe hay shortages. Aroostook  

Livestock and Poultry Care: Action Policy

Equine Best Management Practices (BMPs): We request the Maine Department of Agriculture with input from Maine Farm Bureau, Maine Cooperative Extension and equine organizations develop BMPs for equines. Kennebec

Equine Best Management Practices (BMPs): We request the Maine Department of Agriculture with input from Maine Farm Bureau, Maine Cooperative Extension and equine organizations develop BMPs for equines. Knox-Lincoln

Livestock and Poultry Care: Philosophy

Equine Standards of Care: We favor the standards of care for equines to be based on the condition of the equine using the body condition score, based on 1983 Henneke Score developed at Texas A&M, in all abuse and neglect cases. Kennebec

Equine Standards of Care: We favor the standards of care for equines to be based on the condition of the equine using the body condition score, based on 1983 Henneke Score developed at Texas A&M, in all abuse and neglect cases. Knox-Lincoln

Transportation: Philosophy

Truck Weights – Interstate: We favor raising the gross vehicle weight limit on

     interstate travel to 100,000 pounds. [Current policy #291] Kennebec

Government (State and national): Philosophy

Department of Agriculture and Department of Conservation Merger:  We oppose the governor's proposal to combine the Departments of Agriculture and Conservation.  We support bringing the Maine Forest Service and aquaculture into the Department of Agriculture. Knox-Lincoln

Department of Agriculture-Department of Conservation Merger:  We are opposed to the current proposed merger of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Conservation at this time until there is more information about the merger. York

NRCS County Office Closings:  We are opposed to the proposed closing of the Hancock County Natural Resource Conservation Service office and having services be provided by the Penobscot County NRCS office. Washington-Hancock

Property Rights: Philosophy

Farmer's Curtilage:  We favor a farmer's curtilage to include his or her land. Knox-Lincoln

Private Property Rights:  We favor any legislation that protects or increases private property rights. Knox-Lincoln

DEP Land Access:  We favor any action that will make it harder for the Department of Environmental Protection to access private property. Knox-Lincoln

Organization: Philosophy

Farm Bureau Committees:  We feel if Maine Farm Bureau establishes a committee that it meets at least once annually. Knox-Lincoln

Commodities: Philosophy

Poultry Processing:  We favor exempting poultry processing facilities, less than 20,000 birds annually, to be able to lease to other processors who have an HACCP plan and are processing their own birds. Knox-Lincoln

USDA Stakeholder Committee:  We favor the creation of a stakeholder committee of farmers and processors to identify issues/barriers and opportunities for small and midsize producers and processors of meat and poultry. Knox-Lincoln

Interstate Shipment of Meat:  We favor allowing states to enter into Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) to allow the sale of state inspected meat into other states. Knox-Lincoln

Crop Protection: Philosophy

Pesticide Applicators License - Multi-state:  We favor a pesticide applicators license process that allows a license in on state to be valid in another state. Knox-Lincoln

Forestry: Philosophy

Wood Harvesting Permits: We are opposed to having to obtain a wood harvesting permit to harvest wood. Oxford

Environment: Philosophy

Code Enforcement Officer – Compliance:  We favor that all municipal code enforcement officers must follow the state guidelines with regard to the Right to Farm Law. Oxford