Last Friday, September 4, 2009, via conference call, the National Association of Wheat Growers’ (NAWG) Board of Directors met and voted, 26 to 2, to approve a new resolution on greenhouse gas regulation.
The resolution reads:
The NAWG may have an ally, as far as their new position is concerned, in the new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Blanche Lincoln (AR). The new chair, in a conference call with Arkansas reporters, stated that she has serious concerns over greenhouse gas legislation regarding the impact such legislation would have on American farmers and ranchers. At this time Lincoln does not believe such legislation will find time on the Senate calendar to pass that chamber before this session of Congress ends. Lincoln would prefer to see the Senate move forward with the renewable energy bill that passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
To read the Media-Newswire report click here.
The resolution reads:
"NAWG is opposed to greenhouse gas legislation or regulation that has a negative impact on production agriculture. NAWG will strive for a net economic benefit to farmers, agriculture and food production. We believe neither greenhouse gas regulation nor legislation should take effect until the major carbon emitting countries of the world have agreed to regulate their own greenhouse gases in a like manner to ours. NAWG urges USDA to do a detailed economic analysis of any legislation or regulation before it becomes law. Furthermore, NAWG will oppose EPA regulation and will work to overturn the Supreme Court ruling."As Media-Newswire online reports, this represents a shift in position on the part of the NAWG. Previously, the group had endorsed the Waxman-Markey climate change bill that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Senate Environment and Public Works Ranking Member James Inhofe (OK) issued this statement in support of the NAWG resolution:
"I'm pleased that the organization representing the interests of wheat growers nationwide has reached the right conclusion: cap-and-trade legislation and potential EPA greenhouse gas regulation pose serious harm to farmers and rural America. In times of great hardship in rural communities across America, both of these approaches to addressing climate change will only bring further job cuts and economic decline. This new resolution marks an important step in the effort to defeat a cap-and-trade energy tax and EPA's misguided regulations."
The NAWG may have an ally, as far as their new position is concerned, in the new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Blanche Lincoln (AR). The new chair, in a conference call with Arkansas reporters, stated that she has serious concerns over greenhouse gas legislation regarding the impact such legislation would have on American farmers and ranchers. At this time Lincoln does not believe such legislation will find time on the Senate calendar to pass that chamber before this session of Congress ends. Lincoln would prefer to see the Senate move forward with the renewable energy bill that passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
To read the Media-Newswire report click here.
Posted: 09/10/09
