Farmers, healthcare workers discuss field burning bill

Meeting part of effort to find compromise over farm needs, health concerns

By MICHAEL WILKEY

Paxton News Bureau

JONESBORO — It is a debate that involves two major issues in the state’s economy as well as daily life – agriculture and health care – in the Natural State.

A lawmaker said Friday she is working to build a compromise on an issue involving both groups as work continues on a bill dealing with crop residue burns in the state.

At least 30 people attended a meeting Friday afternoon, hosted by Rep. Fran Cavenaugh (R-Walnut Ridge) on the issue. Rep. Cavenaugh is sponsoring HB1045, which would place certain requirements on an individual planning a plan residue burn, address liability of an individual who has followed crop residue requirements and to provide civil penalties for people who don’t.

Rep. Cavenaugh said Northeast Arkansas is the epicenter of the world’s largest producer of rice and the area produces corn as well.

“I am not looking to ban it. I am looking for compromise, so both sides can co-exist,” Rep. Cavenaugh said.

Under the bill, the lawmaker said people could contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to investigate whether or not a farmer is violating state regulations as well as putting guidelines and information on an app for farmers, which is now voluntary. Rep. Cavenaugh also said that the vast majority of farmers were not violating the law and that the bill was a step in the right direction with a goal of dealing with problems with a few “bad apples.”

The lawmaker heard from farmers and healthcare professionals about the issue.

Shannon Hall, who farms land in Craighead and Poinsett counties, said burning is often done to help with residue and to deal with noxious weeds that can sprout up in a field, with the process helping the field and farmer alike.

Hall said the black smoke that can be seen as a field is burning is often due to the green foliage in a field and that once the foliage is burned, it can change colors.

Another farmer who was at the meeting said the decision whether or not to burn a field can be a “million dollar decision” and decide whether or not a farmer will stay in business.

Dr. Warren Skaug, who worked for 37 years in primary care pediatrics, said after the meeting while specific numbers would be known by hospitals, there has been an increase in children with asthma and other ailments facing problems due to air pollution.

Dr. Skaug also cited a study in the Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society that showed an increase in medical care in the fall in Craighead County, while not showing the same numbers in Sebastian County with a possible reason involving crop burning.

The doctor said this has been an issue that farmers and producers have known about for years, that farmers are trying to help with the issue and that the goal is to develop the right regulations and not to punish anyone.

“They care,” Dr. Skaug said, noting the Arkansas Department of Agriculture created a voluntary row crop formula system that accounts for wind and air conditions.

Rep. Cavenaugh said she wanted to create a working group with both sides and that she has seen support from lawmakers for her bill. As for a time table for when the bill would be presented, the lawmaker said it may be presented late in the session which starts Jan. 13.

“There is gotta to be a middle ground. Not to put people out of business, but also to help quality of life,” the lawmaker said.