11-27-2008, 03:13 PM
http://blog.syracuse.com/farms/2008/11/n...rt_da.html
In this economy do we need this tax on our farmers?
----- November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008
New EPA standard could hurt dairy farmers
Posted by Debbie Groom/The Post-Standard November 26, 2008 1:37PM
This in today from the New York Farm Bureau:
New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln today said farmers will fight a proposed new permit requirement by the Environmental Protection Agency that would regulate greenhouse gases, including those emitted by dairy and livestock farms.
The new permits would cost New York farmers more than $110 million per year, a staggering amount that would have a dramatic impact on the rural economy and the agricultural sector. It would surely force countless family farms out of business, Lincoln said.
The proposed EPA initiative would force family farmers in New York to pay a permit fee in order to continue to operate, claiming that farm animals are emitting massive amounts greenhouse gases.
"We know that the industrial and transportation sectors emit an overwhelmingly large percentage of greenhouse gases when compared to livestock farms, but farms are being painted with the same broad brush," said Lincoln.
The tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, and $87.50 per head of beef cattle. The tax on hogs would upwards of $20 per hog. Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits.
This would cover about 99 percent of dairy production, more than 90 percent of beef production, and more than 95 percent of all hog production in New York, according to USDA statistics.
"The permit would effectively be a massive new tax on our farm animals," said Lincoln. "The country is facing considerable economic challenges. We cannot believe that they would even consider this, given the impact it will have on the Upstate rural economy. This is not the way to ensure that New Yorkers have food on their table."
The EPA would force small mom-and-pop dairy operations to seek a permit similar in class to municipal waste incinerators, chemical manufacturers and cement factories.
"Farm animals simply don't contribute greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at a higher rate than any other living thing. However, in this case, farmers would be forced to gain a permit," said Lincoln.
"If you place these requirements on New York farmers, you will make it virtually impossible to run a viable farm operation. Then, unregulated, large agriculture from China and other countries will step in to fill the void. Regulating New York farms without addressing equal emissions in China and other nations will do little to address the global issue, and only penalize the New York producer," said Lincoln.
Print This Page | Send To A Friend | Permalink (Learn More)
Share: Reddit | Digg | del.icio
In this economy do we need this tax on our farmers?
----- November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008
New EPA standard could hurt dairy farmers
Posted by Debbie Groom/The Post-Standard November 26, 2008 1:37PM
This in today from the New York Farm Bureau:
New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln today said farmers will fight a proposed new permit requirement by the Environmental Protection Agency that would regulate greenhouse gases, including those emitted by dairy and livestock farms.
The new permits would cost New York farmers more than $110 million per year, a staggering amount that would have a dramatic impact on the rural economy and the agricultural sector. It would surely force countless family farms out of business, Lincoln said.
The proposed EPA initiative would force family farmers in New York to pay a permit fee in order to continue to operate, claiming that farm animals are emitting massive amounts greenhouse gases.
"We know that the industrial and transportation sectors emit an overwhelmingly large percentage of greenhouse gases when compared to livestock farms, but farms are being painted with the same broad brush," said Lincoln.
The tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, and $87.50 per head of beef cattle. The tax on hogs would upwards of $20 per hog. Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits.
This would cover about 99 percent of dairy production, more than 90 percent of beef production, and more than 95 percent of all hog production in New York, according to USDA statistics.
"The permit would effectively be a massive new tax on our farm animals," said Lincoln. "The country is facing considerable economic challenges. We cannot believe that they would even consider this, given the impact it will have on the Upstate rural economy. This is not the way to ensure that New Yorkers have food on their table."
The EPA would force small mom-and-pop dairy operations to seek a permit similar in class to municipal waste incinerators, chemical manufacturers and cement factories.
"Farm animals simply don't contribute greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at a higher rate than any other living thing. However, in this case, farmers would be forced to gain a permit," said Lincoln.
"If you place these requirements on New York farmers, you will make it virtually impossible to run a viable farm operation. Then, unregulated, large agriculture from China and other countries will step in to fill the void. Regulating New York farms without addressing equal emissions in China and other nations will do little to address the global issue, and only penalize the New York producer," said Lincoln.
Print This Page | Send To A Friend | Permalink (Learn More)
Share: Reddit | Digg | del.icio
