OCA Addresses Big Issues Headed Into Legislative Session

The 2018 Oregon legislative session gets underway February 5^th, and for the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association there are three key issues ranchers will want to watch closely this session.  OCA’s Executive Director Jerome Rosa told the Washington Ag Network on the top of the list is proposed Cap and Trade, which he says will negatively impact Oregon farmers,

“It will drive up their input costs, their energy, their fuel, their fertilizer, all of the things we buy from our suppliers that pay for permits.”

Rosa added in addition to the upfront costs of Cap and Trade, he noted it will increase the costs of getting commodities to market.  He added cattle producers, and all farmers should contact lawmakers in Salem to have their voice heard.

Another big issue will be the future of the gray wolf.  Rosa said wolves continue to thrive in Oregon.

“They are increasing in numbers, and they are spreading throughout the state, and the compensation that we have currently does not keep up with these escalating numbers of wolves and predations that we’re seeing.”

Rosa added Oregon livestock producers should not be expected to bear the entire cost of the growing wolf population.

The third issue is water rights.

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