Senate Bill 2010 amending the Illinois Fertilizer Act passed the Senate Ag Committee unanimously last week and has bi-partisan co-sponsors and support.  This bill seeks to create the Nutrient Research and Education Council and set up a private partnership with IDA to collect a tonnage assessment to significantly enhance our nutrient research and education activities.  SB 2010 is an initiative of the IFCA and is supported by all the major ag groups as well as the environmental groups.  The Illinois ag industry has submitted a Nutrient Stewardship Strategy to Illinois EPA and SB 2010 provides the framework to significantly increase our nutrient research and education programs with a goal of enhancing crop production and reducing losses of nutrients to water.  This is an aggressive approach to ensure that Illinois agriculture takes the lead with regard to nutrient issues rather than have our destiny determined by others.  An updated fact sheet on SB 2010 is posted on the IFCA website under "Legislation."  There you can also see other bills IFCA is watching.  Shortly we will be asking IFCA members to contact their Illinois State Senator to vote yes on SB 2010.  In the meantime if you have questions about this or other legislative issues please contact Jean Payne.