Thomas Hart Explains Why NCBA Supports Livestock Regulatory Protection Act

The beef industry says agriculture emissions are not regulated by the Clean Air Act and the bipartisan Livestock Regulatory Protection Act would keep it that way.  National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Mary Thomas Hart concedes farms and ranches emit methane, ammonia and other pollutants, but at a level below what the Clean Air Act regulates.

“But we know that, as each administration considers more carefully, how to use the Clean Air Act as a tool to combat Climate Change, that the risk increases, when it comes to regulating farmers and ranchers with the Clean Air Act.”

Because of that, NCBA is backing the bipartisan Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, put forward by two Republicans and two Democratic senators to permanently block EPA regulating farm animal emissions.

“There are two provisions that have been included in every appropriations package, since 2009. Maintaining those provisions are key to keeping farmers and ranchers out of the realm of Clean Air Act regulation. Those provisions are related to greenhouse gas emissions reporting, and direct regulation under Title 5.”

Thomas Hart refutes those blaming American Ag for global climate change, when the farming sector is responsible for less than 4% of U.S. greenhouse gas pollution.  Thomas Hart added overregulation breeds less freedom for producers to innovate with feeding practices and genetics and continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions voluntarily.

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