The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking $5 million to establish an indemnity fund to protect farmers if a grain elevator goes broke. In addition, the proposal would require grain buyers to charge a premium on all marketed grain for this fund. Minnesota Grain and Feed Association Executive Director Laura Lemke testified before the House Agriculture Committee, voicing disappointment in the MDA’s handling of this issue. “What started as a rumor last fall that the MDA would be pushing for an indemnity fund this session, morphed into a vague commentary about general support for a fund by staff.” Lemke said the proposal was finally confirmed, but no details were offered. “All session, the Department has shared random details like a bread crumb trail.” The bill has been heard in both the House and Senate agriculture committees without consultation from the state grain advisory group. “From my point of view, this proposal is a very top-down driven piece of legislation and stakeholder input has no value as it’s being treated like an afterthought,” said Lemke.
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