November 6, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced they have scheduled a Public Input Meeting and review period to gather comments on the 2008 drafts of the state’s Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs).

This year’s GAAMPs Public Input Meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2007, in the Lake Superior Room of the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, in downtown Lansing.

The Michigan Right to Farm Act provides nuisance protection for farms and farm operations. In order to have this protection, the farm or farm operation must conform to GAAMPs, which are set by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. These GAAMPs are reviewed annually by scientific committees of various experts and revised and updated as necessary. Public comment is accepted and considered before final versions of the GAAMPs are approved by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture.

Public comment will be taken on all of the following GAAMPs: Manure Management and Utilization; Site Selection for New and Expanding Livestock Production Facilities; Nutrient Utilization; and Irrigation Water Use. The GAAMPs regarding Care of Farm Animals, Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control, and Cranberry Production have no proposed changes for 2008.

Written comments may be submitted to MDA’s Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909, or via e-mail to bearssa@michigan.gov by 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2007. MDA will forward all comments received by the due date to the respective GAAMPs Task Force chairperson for consideration prior to final review and adoption.

For a copy of the proposed revisions to these GAAMPs, visit www.michigan.gov/gaamps or contact the MDA’s Environmental Stewardship Division at 517-373-9797.