PRESS RELEASE
FROM: INDEPENDENT CATTLEMEN OF NEBRASKA
CONTACT: Linda Wuebben, 402-357-3778 or Al Davis, 308-458-2220
independentcattlemen@yahoo.com
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 24
EPA PROPOSALS POTENTIALLY DEVASTATE
LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY
Hyannis, Nebraska . A new proposal
by the Environmental Protection Agency would devastate Nebraskas multi-million
dollar livestock industry and cause food prices to escalate, according to officials
with the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska. The EPA is currently taking comments
on a proposal which would establish a greenhouse gas tax of $87.50
on each head of beef cattle produced and $175 per head on each dairy animal and
$20 for each hog.
The proposal is essentially a tax on livestock operations,
said Dave Wright, President of ICON.
Most livestock and dairy farmers
would not be able to pass along this tax, Wright said. The proposal
would put producers out of business and would certainly result in much higher
consumer costs for beef, milk, pork, and milk products.
EPA is
seeking public comments until Nov. 28, and ICON is urging its members to oppose
the measure by contacting EPA officials.
According to U.S. Department of
Agriculture figures, any farm or ranch with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle
or 200 hogs emits more than 100 tons of carbon equivalent per year, and thus would
need to obtain a permit under the proposed rules
Wright said the proposal
is unclear as to how the money would be collected, and although the rule is simply
a proposal right now, this is the first step toward making it a permanent requirement
for producers. To comment directly to the EPA visit www.regulation.gov. Include
a brief personal impact for this proposed regulation after you navigate through
the website.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT:
Use
Comment form at FARM
BUREAU WEBSITE
FAX your comments to (202) 566-97755
MAIL
comment to:
Air and Radiation Docket
and Information Center
Environmental Protection Agency
Mailcode: 2822T
200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Independent
Cattlemen of Nebraska
"Solid as a windmill. Always working for the independent
producer."
The Mission of the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska
(ICON) is to protect and promote the interests of Nebraska's
independent cattle
producers. Office of the Organization is located in Hyannis, Nebraska and membership
can be obtained by calling (308) 458-7282.