IFCA Foresees a Busy Legislative Year Ahead in 2025
January 29, 2025 In mid-January, members of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) gathered for the group’s annual meeting in Peoria, IL. According to President Kevin “K.J” Johnson, the association could celebrate many legislative accomplishments during 2024.
“IFCA held meetings with EPA on the new Herbicide Strategy Plan,” said Johnson. “IFCA also featured and explained this new proposed plan in several methods to members for them to better understand how it would impact our industry moving into the future.”
In addition, the association successfully managed to fend off proposed legislation in the state capital of Springfield, IL, and in Washington, DC, that could have been detrimental to agriculture. This included more than 20 pesticide related bills in the state capital. IFCA also led an effort to collect accurate, science-driven data and establish baseline information on key indicators of nutrient loss reduction programs through the Illinois Ag Retail Survey.
Despite all these successes in 2024, Johnson predicts 2025 will be just as busy for IFCA and its members. “There’s still a lot of work to do,” he said.
Besides fighting “any new pesticide/fertilizer legislation that may come at us at the national and state levels, IFCA is also looking to expand the Restricted Class B Commercial Drivers License within the state.
Elsewhere, IFCA plans to focus on training for 2025. “We are looking at passing legislation this spring session to allow all licensed applicators in the state to utilize continuous education classes to keep up their pesticide applicator license,” said Johnson.
Loading ...The association is also planning to partner with at least one national association in its training efforts. “IFCA and the Agricultural Retailers Association are partnering to build a national anhydrous ammonia online safety class,” he said.
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