Farms.com Home   News

AFBF: EPA Greenhouse Gas Plan Harmful to Economy, Agriculture

The Environmental Protection Agency's latest greenhouse gas proposal will harm the nation's economy, rural communities and America's farm and ranch families if implemented, the American Farm Bureau Federation says.

The EPA's attempt to impose a 30-percent reduction in carbon dioxide on the nation's power plants will lead to higher energy prices. Farmers would face not just higher prices for electricity, but any energy-related input such as fertilizer. Rural electric cooperatives that rely on old coal plants for cheap electricity would be especially hard hit.

"U.S. agriculture will pay more for energy and fertilizer under this plan, but the harm won't stop there," American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. "Effects will especially hit home in rural America."

Today's announcement follows EPA's April "Waters of the Unites States" proposal that would unlawfully increase the agency's role in regulating America's farms under the Clean Water Act. AFBF responded with a formal campaign to "Ditch the Rule."

 
Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Season 6, Episode 12: Veterinarians’ Perspectives on Managing Swine Herd Health Across All Phases

Video: Season 6, Episode 12: Veterinarians’ Perspectives on Managing Swine Herd Health Across All Phases

Identifying challenges in swine production and turning them into solutions through research and team development is the focus of this episode. Dr. Christine Mainquist-Whigham of Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics shares insights on herd health, biosecurity and trial work to improve pig performance. She also discusses her team’s research philosophy, how they evaluate rate of investment and how they gather feedback from employees to address challenges and maintain herd health across all phases of production. Dr. Carlos Roudergue of Country View Family Farms discusses the growing complexity of swine production, especially as technology increases and employee interaction decreases. He also shares how their workforce is shifting toward more specialized roles to support herd health and efficiency.