The South Dakota Department of Agriculture is not required to release the details of its investigations into off-target pesticide drift. A proposal to change this policy has been rejected in the South Dakota Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Organic farmer Glenn Pulse testified in favor of this bill, claiming “the South Dakota Department of Ag is purposely trying to prevent public release of records when the EPA says they are public records.” South Dakota Agri-Business Association Executive Director Kathy Zander spoke in opposition to this bill. “These are private business records and they should not be released to anyone who wants them whether they are part of an investigation or not.” Following a tie vote, lawmakers postponed action on the bill to the non-existent 41st of the session. That kills the proposal since the legislature cannot meet for more than 40 days.
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