Van Woerkom supports keeping MDA a distinct department
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
LANSING — The Michigan Senate approved two resolutions Tuesday designed to ensure that the Michigan Department of Agriculture will remain a distinct state agency, said Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom, who voted for the measures.
“Agriculture is the state’s largest industry and one of the only sectors of the state economy that is growing,” said Van Woerkom, R-Norton Shores. “It is too important to Michigan’s economy to make a change like this that has no known benefit and may instead have a chilling effect.”
Senate Resolution 83 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 express support for keeping the MDA a separate department within state government.
The Granholm administration recently discussed merging the MDA with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
These comments have caused great concern across all sectors of the agricultural industry, including agricultural producers, food processors and agribusinesses.
“State government should enact reforms that save funds by eliminating inefficient, redundant and unnecessary operations, but combining the MDA with DNR and DEQ doesn’t meet that goal,” said Van Woerkom, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Bioeconomy Committee. “Careful review of MDA programs shows that the department is extremely efficient. Other state departments should use the MDA as a model for achieving efficiencies.”
For more than 88 years, the MDA has supported and facilitated the economic expansion of the state’s agricultural industry and ensured an abundant and safe food supply for all Michigan residents.
In addition to oversight of agriculture, agricultural production, food safety, conservation, and environmental roles, the MDA also assumes many consumer protection responsibilities. The department works actively with restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and other retailers to ensure products are both safe and properly advertised.
“Michigan needs a department that focuses solely on food safety, agricultural issues and consumer protection,” Van Woerkom said. “Merging the MDA with the other two departments would reduce the effectiveness of the agency.”
Both resolutions were approved by the Michigan Senate. SCR 22 now heads to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
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