By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s legislative session concluded last week, and the state’s agricultural sector should be pleased with how the last couple of months transpired.
Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley discussed the session.
“I think as far as ag goes, there wasn’t a priority issue or bill that was brought forth that hasn’t passed,” Bentley said. “That’s unusual. Usually, we see several things still sitting out there, especially in the first year of a two-year legislative cycle. We’ve really had some great leadership from within the legislature that pushed these issues and got them done quickly.
“We’ll be working on policy development within our organization and working with the other grower groups and trade associations that represent agriculture to see what the needs are to begin working on. We know in agriculture everything’s never done. We don’t have everything we need. We’re going to start working on what those priorities should be for next year.”
Bentley said most of the agricultural issues and legislation was finalized before last Friday, day 40 of the session. The pesticide labeling bill (SB 144) was a big win for growers. The bill’s purpose was to clarify what pesticide manufacturers are obligated to include on their product label warnings as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It will allow farmers to have tools in the toolbox to continue producing food and fiber for the world.
“We’re very proud of that bill getting passed,” Bentley said.
Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) acreage increase (2,000 to 4,000) also passed and was headed to the governor’s desk to be signed.