In response to hundreds of public comments providing feedback on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP) proposed livestock regulation fee increases, the Department is collaborating with stakeholder groups, like Wisconsin Farmers Union, to lower fees and appropriately adjust regulatory rules.
Earlier this fall, DATCP proposed changes to Wisconsin Administrative Rules §, ATCP 10 and 12, which regulate Animal Disease and Movement and Animal Markets, Dealers and Truckers. A public comment period that closed on October 15 invited farmers, industry groups, and other stakeholders to provide feedback on proposed changes.
The original proposed updates to the administrative rules included significant fee increases, the largest of which was a 1700% increase in the Animal Market Class A registration. These proposed fees would have forced markets like sale barns, livestock dealers, and truckers to raise prices, which would have inevitably been passed onto farmers at a time when there is already a crisis in farm country.
DATCP received comments that stressed the importance of protecting animal health and expanding funding and revenue sources for the regulatory program beyond just industry fees. Many Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) members submitted comments, sharing their perspectives on the potential repercussions of the proposed changes while recognizing the need for updates since the fees haven’t been adjusted since 2008.
“Many WFU members stepped up for this call to action and made their voice heard,” WFU Government Relations Director Michelle Ramirez-White said. “We applaud DATCP for their responsiveness to stakeholder feedback on this critical issue.”
The updated fee structure and rule modifications will be publicly available before being considered at a future DATCP Board meeting. Read the full announcement from DATCP here.
