EPA boss debunks myths about agency's farm plans

A series of fictions have incorrectly characterized the Environmental Protection Agency's attempts to regulate agriculture, says the agency's director. Speaking to the House Agriculture Committee, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson highlighted five of those myths, Andrew Restuccia of The Hill reports. First was the claim that EPA will implement a cow tax that will regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. "The truth is — EPA is proposing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a responsible, careful manner and we have even exempted agricultural sources from regulation," Jackson said.

Jackson said the claim that EPA will used regulations for oil containment facilities to regulate spilled milk was "simply incorrect," and the agency has moved to exempt milk containers from the law. Sen. Mike Johnanns, R-Neb., "pressed Jackson to finalize" that exemption, Dairy Herd Network reports.

Jackson said EPA had no plans to expand regulation of dust from farms, and the agency does not want to regulate all pesticide drifts from farms. "While no one supports pesticides wafting into our schools and communities, EPA does not support a 'no-spray drift policy'," she said. "EPA has been on the record numerous times saying this, but the incorrect belief that EPA desires to regulate all spray drift persists." Jackson also said EPA is not developing limits on nutrient pollution limits from animal manure and chemical fertilizers. (Read more)