SF 1630

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; creating the Minnesota
Livestock Producer Council; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [17.1355] MINNESOTA LIVESTOCK PRODUCER
COUNCIL.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The
Minnesota Livestock Producer Council is established. The
council is composed of 17 members as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) a representative of the Minnesota Farm Bureau;
new text end

new text begin (2) a representative of the Minnesota Farmers Union;
new text end

new text begin (3) a representative of the National Farm Organization;
new text end

new text begin (4) a representative of the Sustainable Farming Association
of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (5) a representative of the Minnesota Milk Producers
Association;
new text end

new text begin (6) a representative of the Minnesota Pork Producers
Association;
new text end

new text begin (7) a representative of the Minnesota Cattlemen's
Association;
new text end

new text begin (8) a representative of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool
Production Association;
new text end

new text begin (9) a representative of the Minnesota Elk Breeders
Association;
new text end

new text begin (10) a representative of the Minnesota Turkey Growers
Association;
new text end

new text begin (11) a representative of the Egg and Broiler Association of
Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (12) a representative of the Minnesota Land Stewardship
Project;
new text end

new text begin (13) a representative of the Minnesota Horse Council;
new text end

new text begin (14) two members of the Minnesota Senate appointed by the
Subcommittee on Committees, with at least one member appointed
from the minority caucus; and
new text end

new text begin (15) two members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
appointed by the speaker, with at least one member appointed
from the minority caucus.
new text end

new text begin (b) The members under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (13),
must be appointed by the organization they represent and be
active family farmers who are responsible for the day-to-day
management and operation of a Minnesota livestock farm. To the
extent practicable, the members appointed under paragraph (a),
clauses (14) and (15), should be livestock producers.
new text end

new text begin (c) One member appointed under paragraph (a), clause (14),
and one member appointed under paragraph (a), clause (15), must
be appointed as cochairs of the council. The cochairs must call
at least four meetings of the council per year.
new text end

new text begin (d) Compensation for members of the council is as provided
under section 15.0575, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner of agriculture must provide
administrative support for the council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The council must:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide a forum to discuss any livestock production
problems that exist and make recommendations to solve these
problems;
new text end

new text begin (2) work toward ending Minnesota's feedlot war and begin a
new era for Minnesota livestock producers that is characterized
by peace, harmony, and acceptance of Minnesota's diverse
livestock production systems;
new text end

new text begin (3) educate the public that federal, state, and local
feedlot regulations are among the most stringent in the world
and will, if followed, protect the environment in almost all
situations;
new text end

new text begin (4) advise federal, state, and local governments on
appropriate changes to feedlot regulations;
new text end

new text begin (5) encourage competing advocates for various production
systems to channel their rhetoric and resources into promoting
their preferred method of production, rather than channeling
rhetoric and resources into tearing down someone else's
preferred method of production;
new text end

new text begin (6) encourage livestock farmers to renew and intensify
their efforts to be good neighbors and carefully follow all
federal, state, and local feedlot regulations;
new text end

new text begin (7) encourage rural residents to renew and intensify their
efforts to be good neighbors and accept, encourage, and support
the livestock producers in their area;
new text end

new text begin (8) encourage all Minnesotans to develop a respectful,
encouraging, and appreciative attitude toward Minnesota
livestock farmers, and to be more like many European countries
where high human populations live peacefully and harmoniously,
in close proximity to livestock farmers who use diverse
production systems ranging from small pastures to modern
confinement barns;
new text end

new text begin (9) educate Minnesotans about the economic and
environmental benefits of livestock production on farms that are
properly sited, engineered, and managed; and
new text end

new text begin (10) promote, nurture, and encourage Minnesota's family
farm livestock producers, and the agribusinesses that associate
with them, in any way the council decides is appropriate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires on June 30,
2007.
new text end