Senate Ag Committee Holds Hearing on Climate and Agriculture

The Senate Ag Committee held a hearing on the issue of climate change and the agricultural sector.  In written testimony, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson thanked the committee for addressing the negative effects of climate change on the agricultural industry. He also emphasized the need for federal policies to assist farmers with implementing practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and build resilience to extreme weather events.

In the meantime, Committee Chair Pat Roberts said, “Maintaining the health of our planet for future generations is, of course, of paramount importance. So is feeding the billions of people that populate the planet today and in the years ahead.”

Roberts noted note that there’s no single silver-bullet solution that has brought about the Ag sector’s enhancements in environmental sustainability. “Rather than a silver bullet, it’s like a recipe that includes many ingredients.”

Biotechnology, precision Ag, voluntary conservation practices like no-till farming, veterinary care, livestock nutrition, and genetics all have helped U.S. producers improve environmental sustainability. “Climate change is a complex and global issue,” Roberts adds. “We must be thoughtful and deliberate in considering potential responses and consequences for the Ag industry.”

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