EPA's Proposed E-Reporting Rule

Not once but twice earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency has admitted to releasing personal information of cattle producers to third party organizations. At the end of July, the EPA proposed a new E-reporting rule for permit holders of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) which would make it even easier for EPA to post information.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald shares more about how this could affect cattle operations across the country.

McDonald: “There are a number of issues under the rule that we are looking at but cattle producers that are currently NPDES permit holders those are concentrated animal feeding operations that have applied for and received a permit, an individual permit -- as well as a general permit -- would be required in the coming years if this proposal is finalized to submit their information electronically instead of the current paper requirements.”

This proposal has the NCBA very concerned it would make it even easier for EPA to release private information as McDonald continues

McDonald: “So that is an issue for cattle producers and one that we will be raising with comments for the agency.”