EPA Concerns The Farm Bureau

While much remains a mystery about the 119th Congress, most of farm country is looking forward to the future with optimism.  However, one area that still of concern, at least for the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Environmental space; more specifically the EPA.  Courtney Briggs, Senior Director of Congressional Relations at AFBF says the topic of clean waters, specifically the Waters Of The U.S. rule is typically near the top of any list.  She noted it’s become very challenging for farmers and producers as rules and regulations change from Administration to Administration.

Briggs says ideally Congress needs to do the hard work and open the Clean Water Act and provide a clear definition of WOTUS in statute.

“Unfortunately, that is a very difficult exercise, but both from a policy standpoint and a political standpoint," Briggs pointed out.  "So, you still need 60 votes in the Senate, this is a very politically polarizing issue so we need to see that bipartisanship and for folks to come together to support a rule that helps landowners but respects the law, respects congressional intent and respects the Sackett decision.”

Briggs added this belief by some that farmers don’t care about the environment couldn’t be further from the truth.

“You can't grow anything. You can't raise anything without clean water and healthy soils," Briggs said.  "Our farmers live and work in the same. They are drinking the same water, so they have every motivation to keep our waters clean and our soil healthy.”

Another issue Briggs says AFBF plans to address is PFAS.  She said the Federation would like to see legal protections for farmers, but she added that may be an issue that’s delayed until later this year, or into 2026, or perhaps even further down the road.

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