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MPCA Pauses Large Increases to Feedlot Fees Following Backlash from Farmers

By Derek Sidian Aug 6, 2025 | 9:14 AM

jenoche / Depositphotos.com

St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has put a pause on increased air and water permit fees after backlash from agriculture groups and state leaders.

MPCA Interim Assistant Communications Director Dan Ruiter shared a statement on Tuesday morning (August 5th) announcing that after receiving feedback from industry leaders, the agency would pause all fee increases and hold sessions to hear additional feedback and plan next steps.

On Thursday, July 31st, ag groups received an email from the MPCA stating that the agency would be increasing application fees for air and water permits by 48% and 56% and that the increase would go into effect on August 1st. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association said that for a general feedlot permit that is needed for livestock operations, the application fee increased from $620 to $970.

State Representative Jeff Backer of Browns Valley released a statement before the pause was announced condemning the way the agency handled the abrupt increases; “With Minnesota’s agriculture economy already under pressure, the MPCA’s move to sharply increase feedlot fees shows a complete disconnect from the realities our farmers are facing. Rolling out these fee hikes with little to no notice is a clear communication failure and leaves farmers scrambling without the time to plan or adjust. Government forgets they are there to serve the people. State government has to stop being the big bully on the block.”

Following the MPCA’s announcement of the pause, Representative Backer released another statement; “I appreciate that the agency took the farmers and ag industry feedback seriously after many were caught off guard by the sudden fee increases. Moving forward, it’s clear we need more open communication, thorough discussions that include all stakeholders. I’ll remain actively engaged on this issue and look forward to the MPCA explaining why, in the face of already rising costs, they’re choosing to place even more pressure on Minnesota’s hardworking farmers.”

The fee increases stem from an attempt to adjust for inflation, and the fees have not been changed since 2009.

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