They're at it again. The Biden administration's EPA now has Texas farmers in its sights. The EPA is considering new regulations on large livestock farms, in response to complaints by environmental groups. The environmentalists claim these large animal operators are polluting waterways with things like manure, and have filed a lawsuit pressuring the EPA to act. The agency now says it will consider how well farms are controlling pollutants to decide if the new rules are necessary.
Texas farmers are already sounding the alarm, noting this would be the first rule change for large livestock farms in 15 years. "These farms are prominent in Texas because of our large livestock industry, and for 15 years these operations have been good stewards of their resources and their water, abiding by state and federal regulations," says Gary Joiner with the Texas Farm Bureau. "We just hope that any new rule consideration is transparent, based on sound science, and really takes into account the costs of any new regulations on those operators."
The costs are potentially the biggest issue. At a time when inflation is already hitting farmers hard, these new regulations could threaten the livelihood of some farms. "Any additional costs are that much more difficult to absorb," says Joiner. "It's a difficult time for farmers right now, with inflation, high input costs, and all the costs of production in agriculture are higher."
Joiner warns it isn't just costs for farmers that would go up under new EPA regulations. "Right now, American farmers and ranchers are getting about 14 cents out of every dollar that is spent on domestic food in the United States," he tells KTRH. "So any bump in that area of expense could be reflected at the grocery store."
Photo: Moment RF