NCBA has succeeded in getting two important environmental provisions included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Interior/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) appropriations bill. Both amendments pertain to the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and were approved for inclusion during a conference committee meeting last night.
An amendment by Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) will provide a one-year delay in the implementation of any EPA rule that requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. Studies currently are underway around the country to better comprehend the level of emissions from livestock operations, but the data has yet to be formulated. Without this amendment, producers would have been placed in the position of reporting emission levels with little ability to ascertain their accuracy.
The second amendment included in the bill was put forth by Rep. Todd Tiahrt and Sen. Sam Brownback. It will prevent EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of a “cow tax” under the Clean Air Act.
According to NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Colin Woodall, the inclusion of these two provisions in the appropriations bill is a “huge victory in the fight against increased environmental regulation of cattle operations.” The bill now goes back to the House and Senate for a final vote. Bills passed in conference committee are not amendable, so these provisions will remain in the bill when it is submitted to President Obama.
Source : Kansas Livestock Association