SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — A federal bill aiming to reform agricultural checkoff programs is facing pushback from the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.
The bill aims to cut down on conflicts of interest and promote transparency, but Cattlemen’s President Eric Jennings of Spearfish says programs are already doing enough.
“Government has to be very transparent in how they spend their money, and so it goes through a regular audit process,” Jennings said. “I don’t think that it’s un-transparent at all.”
Checkoff programs are entities that promote and research agricultural commodities, like milk and beef. They are funded through fees from farmers and ranchers.
The legislation would prohibit trade groups that lobby from receiving checkoff funds. Jennings said those organizations make sure to keep funds separate.
“Once you get involved with it and understand that, it’s pretty obvious how those funds are spent,” Jennings said. “but if you’re standing on the outside looking in, it’s probably not as apparent to you.”
The bill’s framers say they’re looking to combat anti-competitive behavior.
(Jerry Oster, WNAX, contributed to this report.)
