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[gsvol]

Oppose EPA Proposed Livestock Tax

November 30, 2008

The American Farm Bureau Federation has registered its opposition to an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, asserting it would essentially result in new taxes on livestock operations.

“Steep fees associated with this action would force many producers out of business.

The net result would likely be higher consumer costs for milk, beef and pork,” said Mark Maslyn, AFBF executive director of public policy, in comments submitted to EPA.

According to Agriculture Department 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. More than 90 percent of U.S. dairy, beef and pork production would be affected by the proposal.

The fee for dairy cattle would be $175 per dairy cow and $87.50 for every head of beef cattle. The Voice of Agriculture - American Farm Bureau

Cattle and other ruminants produce methane, a greenhouse gas, as a natural byproduct of the animal’s digestive process. However, globally ruminants only account for roughly 26% of methane emissions resulting from human activities. Methane is also produced by landfills (the largest US human-caused source of methane) and the production of natural gas (the second largest US source). Methane is also produced by manure management, treatment of wastewater, rice cultivation, wetlands, and the burning of forests and grasslands.

The complex regulatory schemes of the three primary Clean Air Act programs are not suited for regulating agricultural greenhouse gas. The costly burden of compliance could cause many farming operations to cease altogether.

The Department of Agriculture’s office writes:

Agricultural emissions, the result of natural biological processes, are not easily calculated or controlled. Technology does not currently exist to prevent the methane produced by enteric fermentation associated with the digestive process in cows and the cultivation of rice crops; the nitrous oxide produced from tilling soils; the carbon dioxide produced by soil; and animal agriculture respiratory processes. The only means of controlling such emissions would be through limiting production which would result in decreased food supply and radical changes in human diets.

More information on livestock and methane emission can be found in the following articles:

Do Cattle Really Increase Methane In Atmosphere?
Cattle Today: DO CATTLE REALLY INCREASE METHANE IN ATMOSPHERE?
Tiny url: Cattle Today: DO CATTLE REALLY INCREASE METHANE IN ATMOSPHERE?

Cow Tax? EPA looking into regulating greenhouse gases
Tiny url: The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas - Cow Tax? EPA looking into regulating greenhouse gases

Although the deadline to file comments was November 28, EPA will continue to post late comments. Public input on this issue is critical – please send your comments without delay.

Full information and scope of Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the Clean Air Act is at Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the Clean Air Act | Climate Change | U.S. EPA

How to Comment:
Comments should be identified with the Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-0318
Email comments to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov or fax to 202-566-9744
Or follow the instructions and submit online at Regulations.gov

Please share this message widely.

Susan Wolf
Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance - SAOVA, The Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance
Issue lobbying and working to identify and elect supportive legislators




The message above was posted to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky residents by the Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA).

SAOVA is a nonpartisan volunteer group working to protect Americans from the legislative and political threats of radical animal rightists. It is the only national organization fighting this struggle for both sportsmen and animal owners, natural allies, in these arenas. Visit our website at SAOVA, The Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance for this program's goals, methodology and list signup details.

 

[MG1968]

if they ever figure out how to power a car with human feces, the government will figure out a way to tax your a***ole.

 

[BCSsucks]

Yep.....putting american farmers out of business, that sounds like change we can believe in.

 

[TreeGreen]

Yep.....putting american farmers out of business, that sounds like change we can believe in.

We've already done that, all you have to do is look at the number of small farm operations that have effectively disappeared since the 1980s. Industrialized farming produces such massive amounts of food / milk / whatever that they already accomplished that goal. That being said, taxing people because their cows fart is pretty ludicrous.

 

[TennTradition]

Would this really put american farmers out of business? Wouldn't foreign beef be subject to a tariff equivalent to the tax on the methane cow's produce? Yes, it will increase the cost of beef....which is not necessarily a good thing. I would imagine that fertilizer will be more expensive under such a plan as well because of the high CO2 emissions in its production (making the hydrogen to make the fertilizer). So, crop prices would likely go up as well. For these reasons, I'm certainly sensitive to any proposed carbon taxes or cap-and-trade regimes.

Everyone knows my position on the science behind anthropogenic climate change, and that hasn't changed. But, I've always felt that the scientists are going to have a hard time here in America to present the idea of scientific uncertainty in this area to the public when carbon taxes are legitimately debated. I would be utterly shocked if any taxes or even a cap-and-trade system is set up in the next several years. The economy can't handle it right now.

 

[tim]

Would this really put american farmers out of business? Wouldn't foreign beef be subject to a tariff equivalent to the tax on the methane cow's produce? Yes, it will increase the cost of beef....which is not necessarily a good thing. I would imagine that fertilizer will be more expensive under such a plan as well because of the high CO2 emissions in its production (making the hydrogen to make the fertilizer). So, crop prices would likely go up as well. For these reasons, I'm certainly sensitive to any proposed carbon taxes or cap-and-trade regimes.

Everyone knows my position on the science behind anthropogenic climate change, and that hasn't changed. But, I've always felt that the scientists are going to have a hard time here in America to present the idea of scientific uncertainty in this area to the public when carbon taxes are legitimately debated. I would be utterly shocked if any taxes or even a cap-and-trade system is set up in the next several years. The economy can't handle it right now.

I saw that you're sensitive to the proposed carbon taxes, but are you for them? Taxing cows because of their carbon footprint that is.

 

[TennTradition]

I saw that you're sensitive to the proposed carbon taxes, but are you for them? Taxing cows because of their carbon footprint that is.

That's an issue I am still struggling with. I think that it is fair to say I am undecided on what approach we should take in addressing climate change concerns. I think that the first step will be a cap-and-trade in industrial and utility sectors (and like I said, I don't think that can happen in the next few years). Until we show that we can manage this type of system, we have no business moving into areas like farming (where regulation will be even more difficult). I think that in the end, if you are going to apply a "tax" like a cap-and-trade on some businesses, you will need to do it to all. You could allow farmers to cap-and-trade methane emissions. For example, there are alternative food types that will reduce the amount of methane that cow's belch (that is actually where most of the methane comes from, not out of the other end). So, some people may be better suited to make this switch than others and a cap-and-trade will help even out some of these price of these measures. Of course, the remainder will be passed on to consumers...and increasing food costs are always a concern. I need to re-read the Stern report to see how these aspects were addressed in his analysis....

America can afford to stave off most of any negative effects that come about as a result of a warming climate. We can build higher sea walls, we can build desalination plants to provide water for those who rely on water from melting ice, etc. If America is going to act only in her interest, then we have to evaluate which option will be more expensive and to do that requires a much better understanding of the uncertainty in the climate predictions (not so much temperature - which I think we understand - but what the effects of that temperature increase will be).

This argument gets a little less black and white when you start considering nations like Bangladesh that will not be able to afford these measures and stands in a very delicate situation....what is America's responsibility in that situation? (Of course, this is under the assumption that the environment's response to rising temperature will rising sea levels and less mountain ice).

 

[therealUT]

We've already done that, all you have to do is look at the number of small farm operations that have effectively disappeared since the 1980s. Industrialized farming produces such massive amounts of food / milk / whatever that they already accomplished that goal. That being said, taxing people because their cows fart is pretty ludicrous.

You should definitely look a little deeper in your research as it pertains to the extinction of the small farm in America. You will find that the catalyst for the decline lies in estate taxes.

 

[MontereyVol]

You should definitely look a little deeper in your research as it pertains to the extinction of the small farm in America. You will find that the catalyst for the decline lies in estate taxes.

Either that or go read "The Grapes of Wrath"

 

[TreeGreen]

You should definitely look a little deeper in your research as it pertains to the extinction of the small farm in America. You will find that the catalyst for the decline lies in estate taxes.

It is a fact that large-scale farming has effectively killed small farmer's abilities to compete in the markets, and changed the way rural economics work because there were fewer jobs. Particularly during bust cycles where selling off to larger estates and getting the heck out of dodge made the most sense. Estate taxes have nothing to do with creating huge farms that don't need many helpers and can be run by a minimal amount of people. This has been degrading rural farming since the 1930s, it is one of the most well documented events that you will find.

 

[TreeGreen]

Either that or go read "The Grapes of Wrath"

I can't tell if that comment is to dispute him or support him. I'm pretty sure the last thing he'd want to do is read the Grapes of Wrath.

 

[KB5252]

What is the point of taxing farmers for cow farts? It will do nothing to stop the emissions. Making the farmer pay more will not cause the cow to fart less. All it will do is artificially drive up prices and put many more small farm owners out of business. Beef and pork prices could rise as much as 15 to 20% because of it. This is just a pretty nonsensical solution to problem that we don't yet fully understand. Makes no sense to me.

 

[Vol Mania 21]

this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever seen. hell cows have farted for centuries, it's not a big deal

 

[joevol320]

this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever seen. hell cows have farted for centuries, it's not a big deal

it's all about taxes and control. just like cigarettes, if they truly were worried about our health, they would to ban them, but they know billions of taxes would be gone.

 

[therealUT]

It is a fact that large-scale farming has effectively killed small farmer's abilities to compete in the markets, and changed the way rural economics work because there were fewer jobs. Particularly during bust cycles where selling off to larger estates and getting the heck out of dodge made the most sense. Estate taxes have nothing to do with creating huge farms that don't need many helpers and can be run by a minimal amount of people. This has been degrading rural farming since the 1930s, it is one of the most well documented events that you will find.

You do understand that the estate tax in the 1930s led to small farms being sold off (and thus consolidate) at cut-rate prices in order for children of the deceased to pay the estate taxes on the value of the land, right?

Large, consolidated and commercial farms came into existence largely because they were able to buy up land for little to no material cost.

 

[therealUT]

I can't tell if that comment is to dispute him or support him. I'm pretty sure the last thing he'd want to do is read the Grapes of Wrath.

I'm pretty sure I've read it. The vast library of books I have read, covering a wide range of topics and written from incredibly diverse viewpoints, would most likely surprise you. John Steinback's and Upton Sinclair's Grapes of Wrath and The Jungle, respectively, are no different (in their vast use of hyperbole and the consolidation of seperate conflicts and issues into a single argument) than Oliver Stone's Platoon.

 

[joevol320]

You do understand that the estate tax in the 1930s led to small farms being sold off (and thus consolidate) at cut-rate prices in order for children of the deceased to pay the estate taxes on the value of the land, right?

Large, consolidated and commercial farms came into existence largely because they were able to buy up land for little to no material cost.

i was listening to an economist. he said that taxes like the estate taxes and death taxes can really hurt the economy because that is money that is actively being invested in the economy and when the taxes are paid, it can really effect the local and state economy.

 

[MontereyVol]

I can't tell if that comment is to dispute him or support him. I'm pretty sure the last thing he'd want to do is read the Grapes of Wrath.

Have you read the it? The whole story is an account on the demise of small farms.

 

[TennTradition]

What is the point of taxing farmers for cow farts? It will do nothing to stop the emissions. Making the farmer pay more will not cause the cow to fart less. All it will do is artificially drive up prices and put many more small farm owners out of business. Beef and pork prices could rise as much as 15 to 20% because of it. This is just a pretty nonsensical solution to problem that we don't yet fully understand. Makes no sense to me.

Basically, the tax would force the market toward lowering emissions - namely by feeding the cows specific grains/food that reduce methane belching. This is actually a fairly significant source of methane emissions believe it or not (at least I think I was surprised when I saw the numbers in the past).

I'm not necessarily advocating this measure...particularly when there are other areas to address first that would make more sense...but there are some mitigation strategies that aren't limited to just eating less beef.

While cows have been belching and farting methane for years...it is also entirely believable that we have a lot more cows than we did at one time, and likely eating foods that produce more methane in the cows than free grazing.

 

[rjd970]

it's all about taxes and control. just like cigarettes, if they truly were worried about our health, they would to ban them, but they know billions of taxes would be gone.

If this is the case, why haven't they legalized marijuana? We are talking billions of dollars in potential revenue from something that is far less lethal than that of cigarettes or alcohol.

This business of taxing cow farts is just plain irrational and makes no sense. I don't think it is about the money. It is more of a political statement...and a stupid one at that.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

If this is the case, why haven't they legalized marijuana? We are talking billions of dollars in potential revenue from something that is far less lethal than that of cigarettes or alcohol.

This business of taxing cow farts is just plain irrational and makes no sense. I don't think it is about the money. It is more of a political statement...and a stupid one at that.

Government = Failure

:hi:

 

[KB5252]

If this is the case, why haven't they legalized marijuana? We are talking billions of dollars in potential revenue from something that is far less lethal than that of cigarettes or alcohol.

This business of taxing cow farts is just plain irrational and makes no sense. I don't think it is about the money. It is more of a political statement...and a stupid one at that.

There would be little money for the government if they made marijuana legal and taxed it. It is just to easy to grow yourself.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

There would be little money for the government if they made marijuana legal and taxed it. It is just to easy to grow yourself.

You base you argument on people are not lazy.

People are freakin' lazy and want the bud now!

 

[TreeGreen]

Have you read the it? The whole story is an account on the demise of small farms.

Of course I've read it, but the major meat of the story is the demise of small farming at the hands of consolidated farms. It has nothing to do with estate taxes. They default on a loan, have to move, and end up being manhandled in California. Have you read it? Also, the estate taxes are simply not the major force in killing American small farms. The lack of an ability to make a profit, and therefore make an existence in farming, are the reason they were consolidating as farms became larger due to technological advances. You can keep harping on taxes being the devil, but even today the estate death tax is not a major culprit as some people would have you believe.

 

[truefan]

it's all about taxes and control. just like cigarettes, if they truly were worried about our health, they would to ban them, but they know billions of taxes would be gone.

Which is exactly the reason marijuana should be legalized