The Michigan Chamber supports efforts to improve the economic competitiveness of Michigan’s agriculture industry by advocating policy modifications premised upon the following principles:

Animal Care

Support farmers in their ability to properly maintain and care for farm animals.

• Support efforts to have experts at the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University, and agriculture industry leaders help establish best scientific and economic practices for the proper care of animals.
• Oppose ballot initiatives from out-of-state groups that eliminate or restrict science-based, modern farm practices related to animal care.

Improving the Regulatory Burden

• Support keeping the Michigan Department of Agriculture as an independent state agency. The Department of Agriculture provides a brand for farmers that is trusted and respected by the industry, particularly in the area of food safety and animal husbandry.
• Support transferring all regulatory functions currently being run by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that affect agriculture to the Department of Agriculture. Recent decisions by the DEQ related to agriculture have had a negative effect on the growth of agriculture in the state. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is better suited to handle the regulation of agriculture and agri-business. 
• Oppose efforts to establish additional limitations on the use of water resources. The Legislature approved scientifically-based ground water legislation in 2008. Some environmental groups are now calling for further restrictions on water use, including expanding the public trust doctrine to limit a person’s right to use water.

Taxation of Agricultural Operations

• Support clarification of the unitary filing provisions of the Michigan Business Tax to ensure that agricultural operations are properly classified as agriculture.
•  Support clarifying provisions of personal and real property tax laws to ensure that all temporary agricultural structures, which are moveable and not permanently attached or anchored to the ground, be exempt from property taxes.

Labor

• Support immigration reform at the federal level that focuses on streamlining and improving the immigration process for people who play by the rules and want to become American citizens or work in the United States on a temporary basis, including those in agriculture and tourism.
• Oppose efforts to make employers the immigration ‘police’ or undertake investigations that are the proper role of law enforcement agencies.

Local Zoning

• Oppose efforts by local units of government to establish local zoning ordinances that prohibit or discourage the creation of roadside stands, farm markets, or other agri-tourism destinations.
• Oppose efforts by local units of government to put barriers on farmers in their ability to install renewable energy devices such as wind, solar, and bio-mass.

Background

Michigan agriculture remains one of the state’s leading industries, providing over $71.3 billion in economic activity annually and supporting over one million jobs. Despite the economic downturn, the agricultural economy has continued to expand in Michigan helping to diversify our state’s overall economy. Michigan is second only to California in terms of the most diverse number of crops grown in the U.S. Michigan leads the nation in the production of 19 different commodities, including tart cherries, blueberries, and flowering hanging baskets (geraniums/impatiens). In terms of cash receipts, milk, corn, and nursery products are the top commodities in Michigan.

Many issues that the agriculture industry faces are similar to those faced by others in the general business community. Michigan’s heavy tax burden and unfriendly regulatory environment are negatively affecting the economic competitiveness of the agriculture industry and must be addressed.

An issue of immediate concern to the agriculture industry is the threat of a ballot proposal to regulate on-farm practices related to animal care. Animal rights groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have sponsored, funded and conducted ballot proposals across the country to try and discourage the production of meat. The group was first successful in the state of Florida in passing a ballot initiative, and has recently had an initiative approved in California. HSUS is now targeting Midwest states, including Michigan, for a similar ballot initiative.