The agriculture finance and policy bill in the Minnesota House is in limbo after members of the agriculture committee were unable to come to terms on one issue, a statewide ban on the use of Paraquat. Committee Co-Chair Rick Hansen still sees a path forward. “I’ve been around long enough that nothing’s over until that final gavel comes down at the end of the session, so I’m always hopeful,” said Hansen. “I think the Paraquat ban is the key to opening the discussions in both the House and the Senate, and if we can get that agreed to, I believe we can roll and get a bill passed for Minnesotans, probably on a very strong bipartisan basis.” Hansen and Co-Chair Paul Anderson are on opposite sides of the Paraquat ban issue, but conversations are still happening. There’s been no movement so far. “Paul and I have been around a while, and we were able to get a strong bill last year and I’m hopeful that we can again this year.” Hansen said there is overwhelming evidence linking Paraquat to Parkinson’s Disease. In his view, the risk outweighs the benefit. Listen to the full interview.
