Instead of Trust the “Science,” Let’s Trust the Farmers
- Farmers are America’s original environmentalists. Their livelihoods depend on balancing the production and the protection of lands or livestock.
- Farming accounts for 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Globally, agriculture accounts for 33% of emissions. More recent criticisms of the industry ignore the significant progress already made.
- Farmers today are producing 80% more pork, 48% more milk, and 18% more beef. Over the same 30-year history, farmers have cut GHG emissions per unit of food by 24%.
Team Biden is Pushing “Climate-Smart Ag”
- Despite increasing evidence that these international efforts to transform the agriculture industry are causing more harm than good, these same ideas are being pushed by top Biden administration officials.
- This has led to the creation of Climate-Smart Ag, a $3.1-billion USDA initiative that promises to cut U.S. agriculture emissions while keeping up production.
- Some scientists have warned these projections are likely overstated and these climate-smart programs will not actually reduce GHGs. Other reports have found that cover crops don’t absorb as much carbon as previously thought and diminish crop yields.
The 2023 Farm Bill: How to Protect American Farming from Bad Ideas
- A prudent approach to supporting family farms while enhancing environmental stewardship in the Farm Bill should include prioritizing evidence-based solutions that strike a balance between environmental protection and economic viability.
- Holding the line against these bad ideas will be vital to maintaining food security, rural economic development, and the continued success of our American family farms.
Click HERE to read the policy focus and learn more about the American family farm.