FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2013
Contact:
Steve Crim
The
O’Malley-Brown administration has submitted, for legislative approval,
regulations that will have a sweeping effect on how Maryland’s already
struggling farmers can manage their land. The proposed Phosphorus
Management Tool is an intrusive regulation that will significantly
impact how and when farmers can apply poultry manure fertilizer to their
fields. Farmers have used poultry manure as fertilizer for years.
“It appears the O’Malley-Brown administration is not
content with just restricting farmers’ property rights, but also
insists on mandating how they use their property,” stated Larry Hogan,
successful businessman and Change Maryland Founder.
Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance told a meeting
of farmers last week that his department has no idea what the economic
impact of the new regulations would be for farmers until it is up and
running. “It’s Obamacare for farmers,” Hogan said, “we have to pass it
in order to see what’s in it.”
According to a University of Maryland survey
conducted by the designers of the Phosphorus Management Tool, 61 percent
of the farms surveyed would be impacted by the new regulation. Virgil
Shockley, a Democratic member of the Worcester County Board of
Commissioners and a farmer himself, estimated the new regulations would
cost the Lower Shore $120 million.
The Phosphorus Management Tool is part of the
O’Malley-Brown Watershed Implementation Plan, which also foisted the
onerous ‘rain tax’ on Maryland home and business owners.
“We
all want a clean and healthy Chesapeake Bay, not only for us but for
our children and grandchildren,” said Hogan. “However, instead of
focusing on workable solutions for all Marylanders, Governor O’Malley
has chosen to pad his presidential resume by pandering to environmental
special interest groups, and has placed burdensome regulations on our
hard working farmers."
Today and tomorrow,
Hogan will be touring the Eastern Shore speaking to local farmers and
local community leaders. The Eastern Shore is where the majority of
Maryland’s farmland is located and where the proposed regulations will
have the most devastating financial impact.
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@ChangeMaryland
