Policy Issues: Animal Agriculture
Erik Eckholm reported in today’s New York Times that, “Concessions by farmers in this state [Ohio] to sharply restrict the close confinement of hens, hogs and veal calves are the latest sign that so-called factory farming — a staple of modern agriculture that is seen by critics as inhumane and a threat to the environment and health — is on the verge of significant change.
“A recent agreement between farmers and animal rights activists here is a rare compromise in the bitter and growing debate over large-scale, intensive methods of producing eggs and meat, and may well push farmers in other states to give ground, experts say. The rising consumer preference for more ‘natural’ and local products and concerns about pollution and antibiotic use in giant livestock operations are also driving change.
“The surprise truce in Ohio follows stronger limits imposed by California voters in 2008; there, extreme caging methods will be banned altogether by 2015. In another sign of the growing clout of the animal welfare movement, a law passed in California this year will also ban imports from other states of eggs produced in crowded cages. Similar limits were approved last year in Michigan and less sweeping restrictions have been adopted in Florida, Arizona and other states.”
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Climate Legislation- A Wide Ranging Debate
Elisabeth Rosenthal reported in Saturday’s New York Times that, “Mato Grosso means thick forests, and the name was once apt. But today, this Brazilian state is a global epicenter of deforestation. Driven by profits derived from fertile soil, the region’s dense forests have been aggressively cleared over the past decade, and Mato Grasso is now Brazil’s leading producer of soy, corn and cattle, exported across the globe by multinational companies.
“Deforestation, a critical contributor to climate change, effectively accounts for 20 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and 70 percent of the emissions in Brazil. Halting new deforestation, experts say, is as powerful a way to combat warming as closing the world’s coal plants.
“But until now, there has been no financial reward for keeping forest standing. Which is why a growing number of scientists, politicians and environmentalists argue that cash payments — like that offered to [farmer José Marcolini] — are the only way to end tropical forest destruction and provide a game-changing strategy in efforts to limit global warming.”
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Climate Bill- Congress Background
Naftali Bendavid and Greg Hitt reported in today’s Wall Street Journal that, “Lawmakers return to the Capitol on Monday for a five-week blitz that will help determine the fate of President Barack Obama’s agenda.
“The Senate will be occupied for much of the summer with confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, beginning July 13, followed by a floor debate on her nomination. Democratic leaders also hope to push health plans through the House and Senate before their summer break begins Aug. 8.
“It is a daunting schedule, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) are keeping lawmakers in Washington for five-day workweeks in July, rather than their usual Tuesday-through-Thursday routine.”
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Climate Change
Mark Peters reported yesterday at The Wall Street Journal Online that, “Climate czar Carol Browner said she wants Congress to establish a broad U.S. greenhouse-gas policy before global climate-change talks near the end of the year.
“Speaking at a conference Monday at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ms. Browner said she is confident Congress can move forward on a climate-change policy, citing hearings scheduled for next week on sweeping legislation proposed by Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) and Rep. Ed Markey (D., Mass). Ms. Browner didn’t provide a timetable for when she would like to see congressional action, but said advancing climate-change legislation is ‘absolutely essential’ to what the U.S. can accomplish during United Nations negotiations scheduled for December in Copenhagen.”
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EPA Pesticide Issue- Background
Recall that back in January, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a ruling regarding pesticides and the Clean Water Act that had important implications for U.S. farmers. The ruling in the case, The National Cotton Council of America, et at., v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, which was handed down on January 7, 2009, can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.
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