By Georgia Hill
Legislation in the Michigan House would update fee requirements and simplify regulations for composts, fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Currently, all commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners require registration, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development inspects the materials and records and imposes taxes called tonnage fees based on the weight of the fertilizer.
The legislation would exempt “mixed soil products” that include materials such as compost, wood chips and some manure from registration and fees.
Historically, compost has not been included in the definition of soil conditioners because the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy already regulates them, according to Kerrin O’Brien, the executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition.
However, in recent years, Agriculture and Rural Development began regulating composted products as a component of fertilizers and conditioners.
O’Brien said that felt like “double regulation,” which is a major concern for the compost industry due to higher costs.
“Compost is different from soil conditioners and fertilizers. This legislation would specifically define compost as a separate category and allow producers some choice about how they market their product,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien said that more compost operations have been showing up in Michigan, and current regulations require them to bear a larger cost burden.
The package includes bills sponsored by Reps. Tom Kunse, R-Clare, Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township, Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, and Tim Benson, R-Bay City.
While the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development does not have an official position on the bills, Lynsey Mukomel, its executive director of communications, said the department will continue to “educate about the differences between manure, soil conditioners, fertilizers and compost to help producers ensure the quality and safety of Michigan’s commodities.”
The package is currently in the House Committee on Agriculture.