2012 Public Policy Priorities
 
  • Oppose municipal overlay zones that seek to erode the "as of right" protections afforded farmers under the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.
 
  • Maintain state-only jurisdiction for CT pesticide and fertilizer regulations.
 
  • Oppose changes to the PA 490 Farmland program that would have a detrimental effect on the supply and availability of farmland for production agriculture
 
  • Encourage the CT Dept of Agriculture to develop a voluntary GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification program for CT
 
  • Oppose mandatory state labeling requirements of farm products that would damage CT's agricultural industry.
 
  • Oppose changes to Outdoor Wood Furnace (OWF) regulations that would be detrimental to agriculture.
 
  • Encourage farm energy efficiency and on-farm energy production that allow for virtual net metering and conjunctive billing programs.

 

  •  Encourage smaller oyster size limits and adoption of other initiatives that will encourage the growth and long-term sustainability of the CT aquaculture industry
 
Continued support for: Stand alone Department of Ag, Agricultural sales tax exemption, Adequate funding for the Agricultural Experiment station, Bonding for Farmland Preservation, Continuation of the Community Investment Act (CIA), Permanent protection of state-owned farmland, adequate funding for the Agri-science Program.