WOTUS Suits and New Farm Bill Important to Americans
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Amid growing concerns over the EPA’s latest “waters of the U.S.”, the American Farm Bureau filed suit, arguing the new WOTUS rule creates confusing standards for “navigable waters” under the Clean Water Act that can impact routine farming.
In a separate suit, a judge granted a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of the rule in Texas and Idaho.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall says, “The judge recognized the new rule likely oversteps EPA’s authority.”
**Almost three-quarters of Americans say not reauthorizing the farm bill in 2023 would significantly impact the country.
According to a new American Farm Bureau poll, nearly 70% identified two areas of the farm bill as top priorities for government funding: risk management programs that serve as a safety net for farmers and nutrition programs that serve as a safety net for families facing hunger.
89% say they trust farmers.
**Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed support for the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security, or PASS Act.
The legislation would ensure USDA is fully involved in reviewing foreign acquisition of American agricultural land and companies, specifically China.
New York Representative Elise Stefanik says the legislation "takes critical steps to ensure we do not concede any ownership of our food supply to those actively working against our security interests."
