Many environmental decisions are being made in Washington, D.C., without the input of the largest sector of the economy affected by them -- agriculture. ...
That's why it's important that Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., introduced legislation last week that would ensure that American farmers and ranchers are represented in the decision-making process for environmental policies and regulations that could affect U.S. agriculture.
The Representation for Farmers Act would give the secretary of agriculture the authority to appoint as many as three members to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board. The board includes 50 members today, but none have an agricultural background. The board is charged with providing analysis and recommendations for EPA regulations and other technical matters that often affect the U.S. agriculture industry.
Recent regulations issued by the EPA, including guidelines for dust on dirt roads and driveways and a requirement for dairy operations to have the same spill-prevention plans that are required of oil operations, have raised concerns among U.S. farm groups about the potential effects on farming methods and production chains. ...
We need to keep the U.S. as the nation with the world's most abundant and safe food supply. Having farmers and ranchers at the decision-making table for policies that affect their livelihood is important.
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