Ag Drones Feed America Webinar

Congress is currently considering H.R. 2864 (Countering CCP Drones Act) which would block new DJI products from entering the US market, and could potentially ground existing drones as well.
This webinar was held on June 10, 2024 with key leaders from Rantizo, Pegasus, HSE, Bestway Ag, Drone Nerds and Agri Spray Drones.
Make your voice heard: bit.ly/agdrone...
Follow along:
/ agrispraydrones
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Visit the Knowledge Hub for tips and tricks: bit.ly/46bHpHO
#AgriSprayDrones #SprayDrones #AgrasT50 #DJI #Farming

[@brianwalmsley4391]

This will have an impact throughout the world. Please keep working for a sensible solution, banning DGI will have a negative impact on agriculture and rural communities everywhere. Thank you from New Zealand and Australia for your efforts.

[@hse-uav]

Thank you @Brian! The Coalition is also keeping that in mind - that our direction could influence other countries... the pressure is on! There is a workable solution here, we just have to find it and mobilize in getting it done. Thanks for your support from across the pond!

[@frankin2001]

Unmanned agricultural drones can significantly reduce fatal accidents involving manned airplanes or helicopters in the USA, saving dozens of lives each year and preventing the resulting impact on their families.

[@hse-uav]

Hi Frankin, thanks for reminding us about that... I think that (really important) aspect isn't on the forefront as it should be. We'll incorporate that in our approach. Thank you 🙏

[@fullthrottleaerial4151]

Guys, welcome to the lobby. This all started actually under NDAA 2020. I should know. I was 1 of a 37 panel headed by Sec Ellen Lord that wrote the NDAA that started the process. I myself know that the US can’t compete. Price point would be through the roof.

[@hse-uav]

Wow... you might have found yourself more looped in on this than you wanted to :/ And you're right. If setting up a 'level playing field' is the goal (vs. the "security" angle), then that's a valid topic - we really need the U.S. govt to step in and support U.S. industry. Other approaches could be setting up global security standards for drones... there are a lot of workable solutions here.

[@fullthrottleaerial4151]

And I would add that this has finally happened because of AUVSI and Joe Bartlett of Skydio; in which he works closely with Elise that introduced this bill.

[@hse-uav]

We've heard the same - but haven't verified. Important is for us to get to the real meat of the matter here: if we're talking about security, we can work on developing standards (although so many 3rd party experts have already weighed in, I think it would still be smart to do.) If we're talking about the U.S.' opportunity to be more competitive, there's also a lot we can do for that (which HSE is all for!) But don't try and kill-off your competitors under the guise of "security concerns"

[@EduruChan]

Sorry but DJI is the king of drones…

[@hse-uav]

Certainly if it wasn't for them, our farmers wouldn't be on the cutting-edge like they are! The scale/volume, value and capabilities are hard to deny.

[@fullthrottleaerial4151]

The bill is only being introduced. Not the first time this has happened. Has not passed the House or the Senate yet. Not even been voted on yet

[@mookm6639]

The fact that this isn’t the first time it’s happened should be even more reason for concern. Anti-China sentiment has been on the rise and this bill has only gained momentum. People paying attention aren’t going to buy any DJI products till the bill fails, IF it fails so it’s already having an impact. DJI’s ban is attached to the 2025 NDAA, a much larger bill that funds the US Department of Defense for fiscal year 2025. This is an extremely important bill that makes it hard to not pass. The NDAA moved through several committees on its way to being given the green light for the full House vote. I’m sorry but it’s likely to pass.

[@Mark-jb9hx]

Scratch one of those "experts". HSE-UAV is grounded because they can't follow instructions.

[@hse-uav]

@Mark, first, things aren't always what they seem. And sure, the term "expert" is subjective. Meanwhile, we're here fighting like heck for operators, growers and the industry (and that might include you?) We've advocated for the spraying drone industry for *11 years*. Alas, even with (what was) a perfect compliance record going back to our original 333 COA, we still have things we're learning. >>> _Back to the topic at hand: PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE REPS!_

[@Mark-jb9hx]

@@hse-uav Are you suggesting the FAA lied on their report? Do you really need to learn how to apply a N number to your drones? Advocating for those $2,500 exemptions that take 30 minutes of your time? Still advertising services that you are no longer authorized to perform? Just follow the money to a shady business.

[@hse-uav]

@@Mark-jb9hx I'm getting the sense that you have it out for us, and I'm sorry if we did you wrong. Just saying that there's more to the situation than meets the eye, fools-errand to get into details on a message board. I wish those only took 30 mins to submit, but anyone who is in this business knows that isn't the case... most of us have full-time staff who just do these. And you don't have to hire it out - all of that can be done by the applicant, if you've got the time. I'm the owner, and if we did you wrong - I'll make it right -Bryan

[@fullthrottleaerial4151]

Steve Dixon of Full Throttle Aerial. I spent the last 5 years in the defense department. I am here to tell ya that this is all a sham. The only reason they want to ban DJI is because of lobby money. They are being paid by companies like Hylio and Skydio; even though those companies still use Chinese hardware. Hylio is 100% Chinese

[@hse-uav]

Hey Steve, the Coalition hasn't been able to find any evidence of security or data breaches - so that doesn't seem to hold water. And the ancillary concerns about CCP being able to see farms/fields/yields etc are and have been made publicly available for decades, so that ain't it either... 🤔

[@mookm6639]

Too little, too late. I’m really sorry to be so pessimistic but releasing this the day before the senate votes on it is a pretty pathetic attempt considering your whole business model revolves around selling and servicing these drones. Where was all this effort when the bill was drafted and introduced? I guess no one actually took it seriously. Relying on the gov to use common sense is a losing battle so good luck lol

[@hse-uav]

Hey there, I understand your pessimism, and I sure hope you aren't right, but you might be. 😩 The Coalition was well into working on this webinar but the senate vote got moved way up from the original planned date - so yes, we had to scramble. And as a FL company, when this anti-DJI thing first floated in FL, we thought "no way would that ever pass" and then it did... quickly! (for state agencies) So we're ringing all the alarm bells here that *this is a real possibility.*

[@Barabus-yx2cn]

Ban all DJI!! Permanently.

[@hse-uav]

Open to discourse here for sure. What problems or issues do you think would get solved if that happened? Are you thinking about (what could be) the job creation / innovation here in the States, or what?