Key farm groups want to see the proof that President Obama is serious about reducing regulatory burdens on business – as Obama calls for, in a new Executive Order. The President has ordered a systematic review by agencies of existing rules and an end to red tape that stifles job growth. He’s given agencies 120 days to devise a review plan.
But National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Colin Woodall, says the Administration needs to show it’s serious about the effort and re-examine the GIPSA competition rule, greenhouse gas rules and the still pending EPA dust rule:
“It this is just an exercise where we look at a lot of existing things, and we don’t really take the time to look at the proposed rules then we’re going to see this as a failure on the administration’s part to actually be serious about regulatory reform. Because, we know regulations that this administration have put out are having a huge impact on the cattle industry.”
Woodall says EPA has so far ignored NCBA’s input on key regulations affecting the industry. American Farm Bureau Public Policy Director Mark Maslyn had this:
“We have not seen any indication, whatsoever out of EPA that they are willing to step back or ease back. To the contrary, I think that every indication is that the pedal is to the floor on these regulatory issues.”
Including recent water pollution rules, which Farm Bureau is challenging in court, that supersede state authority in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and could be followed by similar rules for the much larger Mississippi River Basin.
Maslyn says EPA has been unwilling to do a cost-benefit analysis of the latest rule or share one if it has.
Separately, Maslyn commented on the sudden resignation of USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Jim Miller:
“We worked with him well, both when he was on the Hill and most recently when he was undersecretary at USDA and he’s just a terrific guy to work with. He has indicated that he is returning to the congress to work, details to follow, and we will look forward to working with him in that capacity.”
Miller previously worked for North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad on the 2008 Farm Bill. Conrad has also announced his retirement. He said this week he will not seek re-election next year.
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