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The winds of change blowing in environmental protection legislature - literally.
A recent Environmental Protection Agency report suggested that the government consider taxes on businesses that emit globe-warming greenhouse gases. This is no longer limited to manufacturing plants, the report suggested that the government tax farmers with "belching and flatulent cattle and pigs."
While this may seem extremely ridiculous, you may be surprised to know that the average cow pumps up to 500 liters of methane into the atmosphere each day, and methane isn't exactly an ally of the environmental activist. It has more than 20 times the heat-trapping potential of carbon dioxide. This has SAGE Members concerned. The proposed "gas tax" could cost a farmers a bundle - up to $175 per cow.
Everyone is against air pollution, and we all want to ensure that this earth will be able to serve as a safe place for our future generations. However, would this measure be too extreme? U.S. agriculture is already on the decline, and a steep tax of $175 per cow would have a silent but deadly affect on the remaining American farmers. In addition, a tax such as this would discourage dairy farmers from continuing with their work. It is likely that many would stop buying cows, and therefore the production of goods such as milk and cheese would significantly decline. Also, the purpose of taxing greenhouse gas emissions is to force the emitters to change their behaviors. Manufacturing CEOs can find ways to make production more environmentally friendly. However, cows cannot help their normal bodily functions, and I would hope that the EPA would not begin to require farmers to start their cows on a Beano regimen. Many senators and agricultural lobbyists believe that this insane tax will not come to fruition. However, the incoming Obama administration is facing significant pressure from environmental groups to curb greenhouse gas emissions. While the EPA has the discretion to exempt small businesses, such as dairy farmers, from an emission tax, there is no guarantee that they will. It is extremely important that we focus on cultivating U.S. agriculture production instead of hindering it. Agriculture is an extremely important part of our nation, and we cannot continue to mount our dependence on other countries to supply our fruits, vegetables and dairy products. If legislators do pass such a tax, it would be regretted later on down the road. By not imposing the tax, we could at least be somewhat sure that agricultural production would stick around for a while. However, if this taxing suggestion becomes reality, I hope that they make anti-gas medication for livestock.
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