The part of Utah’s economy that depends on agriculture would be hobbled if the government increases pressure on greenhouse-gas emissions, a panel warned Utah’s farmers and bankers.
Randy Parker, Utah Farm Bureau president, said a “cow tax” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing would cost Utah livestock managers $104 million a year. The government would assess a $175-per-cow fee to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
If the rule were in place, Utah ranchers and hog farmers would only have made $92 million in 2007.
“And that was a good year,” Parker said during the 2010 Ag Outlook conference sponsored by the Utah Bankers Association and Utah State University Extension Service.
“If you look at 2008-2009, it is a lot worse.”
Parker was joined by Department of Agriculture Commissioner Leonard Blackham; David Conine , U.S. Department of Agriculture Regional Rural Development Director; and Roberta Wheeler, an officer with the Farm Loan Service.
Parker said climate-change regulations, including the cap-and-trade bill that would limit carbon emissions, hits agriculture particularly hard since farmers work in an energy-intensive industry.
The regulation would drive up costs to produce and buy food, as well as affect the national food supply, Parker warned.
“Do we really want to rely on China, Mexico, India, Brazil and other nations
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to supply our basic needs?” Parker asked.
Conine said there is reason to be skeptical of global-warming claims, but farms cannot dismiss it either.
“If we don’t address [climate change], it will affect agriculture,” Conine said.
Blackham said that farming, and livestock in particular, already help Utah’s environment. Grazing cattle control sagebrush and spur grass growth where they feed, which in turn helps other wildlife.
“If you want to find the best wildlife, look for the livestock,” Blackham said.
Plus, farming is a major part of the Utah economy.
While farming alone only represents 3 percent of the state’s economy, Blackham said the number increases almost five times when related industries By Donald W. Meyers, The Salt Lake Tribune