A measure is being heard in a Minnesota State Senate committee this week that could prohibit the adoption of a state-wide nitrogen fertilizer rule. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture unveiled an initial draft last summer and is set to release a revision next month. State Farmers Union Government Relations Director Thom Petersen says the rule faces opposition.

He says it’ll take a long time to come up with a workable rule and the Ag Department is expected to take more public comment on it.

Petersen says the goal of the Agriculture Department is to provide better groundwater protection and their proposal calls on farmers to use best management practices to reduce nitrates.

Petersen sees both positives and negatives with the proposal and thinks having another comment period will be helpful.