Back in Session and Approaching Deadlines

Back in Session and Approaching Deadlines

Back in Session and approaching deadlines.

I’m Lacy Gray, Washington Ag Today is next.

The 2012 Session of the Washington State Legislature convenes today. There are several items of interest pertaining to agriculture, and one of Washington’s most precious resources, water. John Schulmiller, Director of Government Relations with the Washington State Farm Bureau says there are hopes to ward off the raising of fees again this year.

SCHULMILLER: There’s a good chance there’s going to be an attempt to raise fees and we’re hoping we’re able to push that off and continue to reform the program. That was on the agenda for last year and we were able to stop that. We hope we don’t face another run at raising fees now before we get that work done.

Schulmiller also says that it’s important not to hinder the trade process and to keep Washington exports moving.

SCHULMILLER: We haven’t really got the field figured out yet on trade for this session, so we just want to make sure that we don’t hinder that process like we have in the past with fees for containers. We want to make sure we keep our ports competitive and help get those ag products moved around the world.

Remember, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s deadline for applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program is January 13. Producers interested in having their applications considered during the first ranking period of 2012 should submit them to their local NRCS office by this deadline.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network. 

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