Proposed fee on smelly cows, hogs angers farmers

[Chris_]

Proposed fee on smelly cows, hogs angers farmers

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – For farmers, this stinks: Belching and gaseous cows and hogs could start costing them money if a federal proposal to charge fees for air-polluting animals becomes law.

Farmers so far are turning their noses up at the notion, which is one of several put forward by the Environmental Protection Agency after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that greenhouse gases emitted by belching and flatulence amounts to air pollution.

"This is one of the most ridiculous things the federal government has tried to do," said Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, an outspoken opponent of the proposal.

It would require farms or ranches with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs to pay an annual fee of about $175 for each dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle and $20 for each hog.

The executive vice president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, Ken Hamilton, estimated the fee would cost owners of a modest-sized cattle ranch $30,000 to $40,000 a year. He said he has talked to a number of livestock owners about the proposals, and "all have said if the fees were carried out, it would bankrupt them."

*snip*

"It makes perfect sense if you are looking for ways to cut down on meat consumption and recoup environmental losses," said Bruce Friedrich, a spokesman in Washington for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"We certainly support making factory farms pay their fair share," he said.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, a Republican from Haleyville in northwest Alabama, said he has spoken with EPA officials and doesn't believe the cow tax is a serious proposal that will ever be adopted by the agency.

WTF???   

[JohnnyReb]

I posted this a week or two ago..........since then I've thought about this a little. So, what are the pea and bean eating vegetarians going to be charged for methane gas releases. Plus, all vegetable waste rots after harvest (peanut vines, bean stalks, okra stalk, etc.) giving off methane gas.

This is just plain decrimination against meat eaters.

I support the American farmer....I try to eat some of everything they produce.

[Atomic Lib Smasher]

I suppose we gotta do our part for the environment...... have lots more meat. 

[Wineslob]

What a bunch of shit.



















 

[Thor]

I just shake my head in awe of the LUNACY of these people........

[AllosaursRus]

WTF???  

So exactly how are they going to tax the moose? According to Algore, moose put out enough farts that it compares to a car driving 13,000 kilometers. Is the Dept of Fish and Game going to pay the tax?????

[rich_t]

So exactly how are they going to tax the moose? According to Algore, moose put out enough farts that it compares to a car driving 13,000 kilometers. Is the Dept of Fish and Game going to pay the tax?????

Just kill all Mooses...

 

[thundley4]

I suppose we gotta do our part for the environment...... have lots more meat. 

Better yet, shouldn't we eat more veal?  Kill 'em while they're young and tender. 

[jinxmchue]

I could've sworn something like this was proposed up here in Minnesocold not too long ago.

[delilahmused]

Well, at least my chickens and goats are safe...for now.

Cindie