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New law mandates ag on FAA drone advisory board

The FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee is now required to have representation from agriculture, forestry and rural America.

The bill sponsored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters of Michigan, John Thune of South Dakota and Pat Roberts of Kansas requiring that has been signed into law.

Peters says more farmers and small business owners (in Michigan) use drone technology to bolster their daily operations and it’s critical rural representatives have a seat at the table – especially as they deal with unprecedented challenges related to the coronavirus.

Thune says rural areas like South Dakota, where ag is the top industry, deserve that seat at the table when it comes to decisions on drone polices and best practices.

The new law also ensures representatives from county and tribal governments are included on the advisory committee.