WASHINGTON – More agriculture groups are expressing opposition to the Waxman/Markey climate change and energy legislation (H.R. 2454).  Since mid-May, 17 more groups have written letters to Members of Congress encouraging them to vote against the measure.  To date, no large farm groups have endorsed it.

The Waxman-Markey bill was passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee. Elements of the bill have now been referred to eight other committees, including Agriculture, for consideration.  The growing chorus of opposition comes as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seems intent to force this bill through the House of Representatives without carefully studying the impact it will have on production agriculture and rural economies.  Politico reported yesterday that Rep. Pelosi informed committee chairmen that they had to finish work on the climate and energy bill by June 19.

Meanwhile, this thinking is at odds with members of the agriculture community.  In the June 3 Agri-Pulse newsletter, an Iowa farmer attending the Farm Foundation Forum at the National Press Club, is quoted as saying “the biggest hazard for agriculture right now is the rush to legislate.”

“This is an enormous bill with enormous consequences for the American people.  The best thing we can do for the American people is allow the legislative process to work by holding hearings and having a markup.  We need to take the time to fully understand the impact of this bill.  Right now, this bill only serves to create a national energy tax that will hammer rural America with a higher cost of living,” said Ranking Member Frank Lucas.

A complete list of the agriculture groups opposed to the bill is included below. Their letters to Members of Congress can be viewed on the Agriculture Committee Republicans’ website www.agriculture.house.gov/republicans.

American Farm Bureau Federation                          Northern Pulse Growers Association              

National Corn Growers Association                        North Dakota Wheat Commission

National Chicken Council                                       North Dakota Barley Council                                     

National Turkey Federation                                    New Mexico Peanut Growers Association

United Egg Producers                                             North Carolina Peanut Growers Association

American Farmers & Ranchers                               Oklahoma Peanut Commission

The Fertilizer Institute                                             Panhandle Peanut Growers Association

Ohio Corn Growers Association                             Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association

Ohio Wheat Growers Association                           South Carolina Peanut Growers Association

Ohio Poultry Association                                        Texas Peanut Producers Board

Ohio Farm Bureau                                                  Virginia Peanut Growers Association

Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association               Western Peanut Growers Association

      Texas Farm Bureau                                                Corn Producers Association of Texas

      North Dakota Grain Growers Association               Texas Grain & Feed Association

North Dakota Farm Bureau                                    Missouri Farm Bureau

Northern Canola Growers Association                    South Dakota Farm Bureau

AmeriFlax                                                              Nebraska Farm Bureau

North Dakota Stockmen’s Association

North Dakota Grain Dealers Association

North Dakota Soybean Growers Association                   

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