In recent days, the Michigan Agri-Business Association weighed in with comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding its revised proposal on Atrazine use. While MABA acknowledges the EPA’s efforts to address previous concerns expressed by industry, significant issues remain, including the continued use in the review of flawed scientific studies that were not reviewed by the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel.
“[Under the revised assessment], mitigation would be required across a much greater percentage of Michigan and U.S. corn acres than necessary,” wrote MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “We echo the concerns of many in agriculture that even with an expanded mitigation menu, not all practices will work for all farms, and as proposed, this new measure would hamstring both the industry’s economic success and its stewardship efforts.”
Atrazine has been a critical, proven tool for Michigan farmers for over six decades, supported by thousands of studies demonstrating its safety. It plays a vital role in supporting economic success and farmer-led stewardship. This formal comment is one step in MABA’s overall effort to promote sound science- and risk-based regulatory policies for pesticide use.
Read MABA’s comment here. Formal comments from other Michigan agricultural organizations can be viewed at these links:
Comment from the Michigan Corn Growers Association
Comment from the Michigan Farm Bureau
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Updated April 3, 2025 | 6:00 AM
The Michigan Agri-Business Association continues to receive various inquiries from our members about potential tariffs.
MABA is sharing regular updates as a service to our members and interested partners. This message primarily concerns potential tariffs on USMCA partners.
Current Update on Tariffs – April 3
In summary, President Trump announced on April 2 that the U.S. will enact a baseline 10% tariff on all imports, and enact various higher duties on select countries. A chart of these tariffs can be found at this link. The White House issued a fact sheet on the President’s announcement, which is here.
For Canada and Mexico, there are not major changes versus what was already enacted last month. The policies enacted last month remain in effect. In other words, goods from Mexico and Canada that comply with the USMCA trade agreement are largely exempt, except for auto exports and steel and aluminum which fall under separate tariff policies.
Additional updates and resources were sent to MABA members on April 3. Refer to the AgFacts for more.
MABA’s position on trade and tariffs:
Resources on Tariff Compliance
Amid tariff discussion in recent weeks, some MABA members have asked operational questions about compliance with tariffs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers several introductory resources on this topic which may prove useful in the future:
The Michigan Agri-Business Association is actively engaged in advocacy related to proposed new port fees that would increase costs for agricultural exporters and importers. This week, the Association joined two national-level efforts to provide information to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on this important topic.
USTR has proposed a new set of penalties under Section 301 trade authority, including additional fees on China-built vessels. If implemented, these fees would disproportionately impact agricultural industry shippers, both by affecting shipping cost and availability for key inputs and disrupting export logistics.
While the effort is well-intentioned and aims to support the U.S. shipbuilding industry, we share the concerns of the broader agricultural and business community that these fees would harm U.S. exporters, increase costs for farmers, and reduce our industry’s ability to compete in global markets. The proposed changes could also add new layers of complexity to an already strained supply chain.
MABA will continue advocating on behalf of Michigan’s agricultural industry and working alongside national partners to oppose policies that could disrupt trade and increase costs for our members.
For more information on this issue, please contact the MABA team.
Agribusiness leaders and state officials join together to emphasize safe grain handling: “We all have a piece in this.”
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today emphasized the importance of safe grain handling practices ahead of Stand Up for Grain Safety Week. This annual initiative, scheduled for March 24-28, 2025 brings the agricultural industry together to focus on preventing grain handling-related injuries and fatalities.
“Every year, serious injuries and even fatalities occur in grain storage and handling operations. This week is a reminder that safety should always be a top priority,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “We want Michigan’s ag industry to continue to drive economic and rural prosperity, and ensuring everyone working with grain is taking necessary steps for a safe return home each night plays a big role in that success.”
“Grain handlers across our state fuel the strong momentum of Michigan’s agricultural industry and Stand Up For Grain Safety Week supports their daily efforts to make safety a top priority,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “We thank our members across Michigan for continuing to make safety the number-one priority every day.”
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