Farm Compliance

Washington, DC - Congressman Bob Filner recently contacted the newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lisa Jackson, asking for further explanation of the agency’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Proposed Rule) for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, especially pertaining to a tax levy on livestock.

“There is a lot of confusion about this so-called ‘cattle tax’ and the EPA must explain what it intends to do,” said Congressman Filner. “Livestock is vital to the economy of Imperial County and this additional financial burden would be devastating to our local cattle ranchers!”

“In its Proposed Rule on greenhouse gases, the EPA included a tax that would charge $175 for each head of dairy cattle, $87.50 per head of beef cattle, and $20 for each head of hog to offset the animals’ methane production. The Obama Administration has put a hold on all new and pending regulations, but it is unclear whether this Proposed Rule is included.