We know this has been a topic among environmentalists for a little while now. They are on the offensive to regulate the gas passed from your livestock, especially cattle. To a farmer, this seems absolutely absurd, but between the Administration and EPA Chief Michael Regan, it seems like the absurd could very well become a reality. Opponents to the efforts say this is an unprecedented example of government overreach; trying to regulate a natural phenomenon. However, when these initiatives are being spearheaded by people who either want animal agriculture gone to further a personal agenda, or they think hamburgers and pork chops are made in the grocery store, these are the kinds of laws you will see proposed.
Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and South Dakota Democrat John Thune have introduced a methane monitoring bill that would disallow the EPA from using any funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to monitor, or spy, on Midwest farmers and their livestock operations. Senator Ernst talks about the situation.
While Ernst didn?t specifically state that she believes that environmentalists are working with animal rights organizations, she would not be surprised to see that as the case.
Research done by University of California – Davis’s Dr. Frank Mitloehner has illustrated that while livestock does produce methane and add to the amount of carbon in the environment; what is often overlooked is how much they also help to break down. Essentially making these animals carbon neutral. Senator Ernst commented on where the focus seems to be.
Many farmers and ranchers see these regulations for what they are. To quote an Iowa Cattle producer with whom I discussed this topic at the Iowa State Fair last month, ?If people are looking for something to help with the fertilizer shortage and high input costs, they can use these EPA regulations. They really should regulate their own manure before they worry about ours.?
