Federal Reconciliation Bill Does Not Contain Cow Tax

There has been confusion created surrounding the reconciliation package Congress is considering and whether it would require a per-head tax on cattle based on methane emissions. NCBA staff have carefully reviewed the bill and determined the current language does not include a provision placing any fee or tax on agriculture, including livestock. 

While there is a section of the bill that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to impose a fee on certain facilities that report methane emissions under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, it is limited to petroleum and natural gas production and in no way implicates agricultural production. However, a methane tax on oil and gas production likely will lead to higher input costs for things like fuel and fertilizer.