A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the Congressional Western Caucus, which includes Iowa?s Steve King (R-IA 4th), introduced 19 bills, last week, with the hope of updating the Environmental Protection Agency?s (EPA) Endangered Species Act (ESA). The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is applauding the effort.
Ryan Yates is the AFBF?s Congressional Relations Director. He says the Endangered Species Act needs some updating and modernization.
Yates says farmers and ranchers who are on the frontlines of dealing with different plant animal species need the clarification that works for them as well as the endangered species.
Only a small amount of species has ever recovered enough to come off the list. Yates says we can do better, and Congress knows it. However, the states and local governments need more involvement.
The Congressional Western Conference has 75 members from 31 states and two U.S. territories.
