June 2016 Articles

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House Ag Committee Examines Impact of Environmental

House Ag Committee Examines Impact of Environmental Regulations Source: Beltway Beef Newsletter Earlier this week, House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to highlight the impacts of environmental regulation and voluntary conservation solutions. Members heard from two panels of witnesses, including farmers and ranchers who are utilizing voluntary, incentive-based programs to protect and preserve our natural resources, while also maintaining profitable production on their land. Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-PA) reiterated during the hearing that voluntary conservation programs are successful. "Today, we are once again reminded that locally-led, voluntary conservation practices work," said Subcommittee Chairman Thompson. "Through assistance and incentive-based programs provided in the Farm Bill, our nation's farmers and ranchers are voluntarily reducing soil erosion, increasing wetlands, improving water quality, and preserving farmland and wildlife habitats. However, some government agencies continue to implement over burdensome regulatory requirements, which create financial obstacles for our producers. It is important we continue to support common-sense legislation and voluntary practices that enable farmers and ranchers to continue preserving the health and vitality of our natural resources." Onerous regulations like the Endangered Species Act and EPA's "Waters of the U.S.' rule were brought up by many of the witnesses. Patrick O'Toole, president of the Family Farm Alliance, said "the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act are not working in the West." "The goals of the ESA, CWA, National Environmental Protection Act and other federal environmental laws are laudable," said O'Toole. "However, these decades-old laws are in need of some targeted reforms, including commonsense changes to make them work better, encourage incentive-driven recovery efforts and discourage litigation. "Kate English, a citrus grower from Florida stressed that the "a farmer shouldn't have to have a lawyer and an engineer on staff to grow food," pointing to the stringent and egregious regulations by the EPA. This hearing was the fifth hearing in the Focus on the Farm Economy series, where each of the six subcommittees are tasked with examining the growing pressure in rural America. NCBA remains engaged, especially as the regulatory burden continues to increase.