U.S. Representative Fights for Agricultural Application of Drones

(TNS) -- U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, successfully passed an amendment on a House appropriations bill to require the Federal Aviation Administration to take agricultural applications of small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology into consideration during the rulemaking process for UAVs.

The action took place Tuesday night during debate on H.R. 2577, the FY16 Transportation, Housing & Urban Development Appropriations Act.

“The prospective uses for small unmanned aerial vehicle technology (UAVs) include exciting opportunities for agriculture, responding to wildfires, and a multitude of innovative applications that can offer economic and safety benefits,” Newhouse said in a news release.

“The U.S. should not fall behind other nations that are currently developing safe testing and commercial use of UAV technology.”

The amendment ensures the rulemaking process for UAVs includes thorough consideration of new agricultural uses for the technology while also addressing safety and privacy concerns.

©2015 Yakima Herald-Republic (Yakima, Wash.), Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.