One of the latest debates in congress- a tax on animals that pollute the air. Many farmers, and the public, find it completely absurd that the government wants to put a tax on gaseous animals that pollute the air.
The cow tax comes as part of the Environmental Protection Agency report after a Supreme Court Ruling in 2008 that greenhouse gases from motor vehicles pollute the air.
The Environmental Protection Agency said each ranch and farm would pay an annual fee of $175 for every dairy cow, $87.50 for every head of beef cattle and $20 for every hog.
The fees would affect those who emit more than 100 tons of carbon emissions a year. Farms that have more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would be effected.
According to the EPA despite the ability to convert unusable plant materials into fiber and food, cows release methane into the air. This gas contributes to global warming.
Farmers in Douglas County (Kansas) find it upsetting and point out it will destroy the industry.
“It’s ridiculous,†said Joyce Williams, of MJ Ranch, 3105 Wild Horse Road told LJ World.com. “That would eliminate agriculture in our country almost, if all animals were taxed. We can’t do that; it’s just almost unthinkable.â€
Luckily for farmers, the EPA is most concerned with focusing on air pollution produced by factories and motor vehicles. This year’s technical report hardly touches on the proposed livestock tax.
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