THERE IS STILL CONCERN IN CONGRESS ABOUT AN EPA COW TAX

Did you know that Congress is thinking about passing a tax on cow flatulence? One of the things we keep track of for our Ag clients is what's happening in Washington. Below is the article.

(Nebraska Ag Connection) -- The Nebraska Ag Connection reports that Senator John Thune (R-SD) has criticized an announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "that could result in the implementation of new regulations on carbon dioxide and methane gases, including the creation of a 'cow tax.'" The story states that Thune believes "this is the first step in a slippery slope that could result in implementation of a tax on all CO2 emissions." According to the story, in March, Senator Thune and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced S. 527, a bipartisan bill that would prevent the government from imposing a "cow tax" on farmers and ranchers across the country.

The bill was introduced after the EPA last year discussed regulating greenhouse gases, a move that could include requiring farmers to purchase expensive permits. Thune says the "cow tax" would cost South Dakota farmers an estimated $367 million -- or $175 per dairy cow, $87.50 per beef cow, and $20 per hog. "S. 527 is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso and Mike Enzie, both of Wyoming; Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill, both of Missouri; Sam Brownback and Pat Brown, both of Kansas; Chuck Grassley of Iowa; Mike Johanns of Nebraska; and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota." See the story at <http://www.nebraskaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=297&yr=2009>