Last Update :3/6/2011

Virginia Agribusiness Council Praises 2011 General Assembly

Virginia Agribusiness Council
We Represent Virginia Agribusiness with a Unified Voice

MEDIA RELEASE
For Release: March 2, 2011
Contact: Katie K. Frazier, (804) 643-3555 (katie.agribusiness@att.net )

VIRGINIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL PRAISES GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS FAVORABLE TO STATE AGRIBUSINESS INDUSTRY

Richmond,Va. – The Virginia Agribusiness Council and its members today praised the 2011 Session of the Virginia General Assembly for its passage of key legislative proposals that protect the interests and advance the commitment to water quality of the agribusiness industry across the Commonwealth.

Council members were pleased that the General Assembly strengthened constitutional protection of private property rights, provided funding for Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and established guidelines to restructure the extension program, and established sensible animal care standards. Virginia’s professional turf and agriculture industries also joined with legislators in supporting proposals to protect the state’s water resources.

“The Agribusiness Council took a proactive approach to several critical industry issues this year including industry-driven environmental stewardship in light of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) amending Virginia’s constitution to provide additional property rights protections, addressing the critical role of Virginia Cooperative Extension for the agribusiness community, and establishing basic care standards for agricultural animals in keeping with industry practices,” noted Council Board Chairman Ollie W. Kitchen, Jr. of MeadWestvaco in Covington.

“We had great results working with the legislature to address these proactive, industry-driven measures. I’m very pleased to report that the Council’s efforts to represent agribusinesses across the Commonwealth were met with successful results during this General Assembly session.”

The following key issues and the resulting legislation passed by the 2011 General Assembly were cited by the Council for protecting the interests of its members:

Lawn Fertilizer Restrictions and Nutrient Management for Golf Courses
Through legislation introduced by Del. Ed Scott and Sen. Ryan McDougle, the Virginia Agribusiness Council’s members in the professional lawn care, golf course, and landscape industry voluntarily agreed to help reduce urban nutrient loss for Virginia’s streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Beginning in 2014, lawn maintenance fertilizer will no longer contain phosphorus and all lawn fertilizers will have “good practices” labeling. By 2017, all public and private golf courses will implement a nutrient management plan. The Commonwealth is encouraged to provide consumer education on best practices for lawn care and provide consumers a list of lawn care operators who are in compliance with regulations. These voluntary actions by the turf industry will enable the state to meet many of the 2017 goals set out in its Watershed Implementation Plan which has been accepted by EPA and included in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL.

Agricultural Water Quality Implementation Goals
In light of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, the Council advocated for farmers to be provided both flexibility and certainty in meeting water quality goals. This effort led by Del. Ed Scott calls upon farmers to develop and implement “Resource Management Plans.” By providing a level of “safe harbor” the legislation creates a strong incentive for farmers to adopt and maintain a Resource Management Plan containing best management practices that are most effective for their unique operations. The legislation will increase the implementation rate of agricultural best management practices needed to meet the challenging Chesapeake Bay TMDL goals. With only one vote in opposition, the General Assembly wholeheartedly supported allowing farmers to develop whole-farm conservation plans as their contribution to improving water quality statewide.

Private Property Rights
After four years of effort, property rights protections prevailed as the 2011 General Assembly passed a resolution spearheaded by Del. Johnny Joannou. In 2007, the General Assembly enacted law to define “public use” to ensure that private property cannot be taken by a public entity for a private benefit or gain. The resolution passed this year places similar provisions in the Constitution and defines the just compensation landowners should receive when their property is taken by eminent domain. Provided this resolution passes the 2012 General Assembly and voters in November 2012, stronger protections for private property rights will be included in Virginia’s Constitution - a key victory for all landowners.

Virginia Cooperative Extension
A new restructuring effort for Virginia Cooperative Extension will include agribusiness industry stakeholders along with local government and extension agents. The General Assembly agreed with Council members that such involvement is critical to an effective new structure. Extension provides farmers essential information for their operations and leadership 4-H programs for youth statewide. Additional funding from the legislature will also allow vacancies in Extension staffing across the Commonwealth to be filled.

Agricultural Animal Care
The Council and industry partners took a proactive step by examining Virginia’s laws pertaining to the care of agriculture animals and determining that care standards for agriculture animals should be established. Del. Bobby Orrock and Sen. Philip Puckett carried legislation that will create a specific, reasonable standard in law for agricultural animal care to protect both animal welfare and responsible animal husbandry practices. Also supporting this important measure were the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, local governments, animal control officers, and the McDonnell Administration.

About The Virginia Agribusiness Council
The Virginia Agribusiness Council represents agricultural and forestry producers, suppliers, marketers, processors and commodity associations in the Commonwealth with a unified voice through its government affairs activities. The Council has a combined membership of over 40,000. For more information on the Virginia Agribusiness Council, visit www.va-agribusiness.org .

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