Agricultural News
Wheat Growers Study That Claims Farmers Need to Be Engaged in Climate Change Debate Now Online
Thu, 06 May 2010 14:29:05 CDT
The executive summary of a study commissioned by the National Association of Wheat Growers to examine the implications of various climate change or clean energy proposals is now available online- click here to go and view the details of this study.
The study, undertaken by Informa Economics with support from American Farmland Trust, takes a broad look at possible cap-and-trade policies, examining drivers that could increase benefits and minimize costs.
The executive summary released Thursday concludes that, if structured properly, cap-and-trade has the potential to provide some benefits to farmers. However, there are also plausible policy design outcomes that could be very harmful, and a lack of engagement could leave agriculture in a weaker position if and when a final bill comes to fruition.
The report identifies policy issues that can represent risks or opportunities to the agricultural sector. A few key policy points include:
Carbon allowances distributed to the fertilizer industry are critical in keeping the cost impacts down. It is important that these allowances are maintained, and language is inserted into the legislation to ensure that their benefit is passed on to farmers.
Legislation should maximize the number of carbon offsetting opportunities.
Legislation should ensure continued enrollment in offset programs is available for as long as is justifiable.
Agriculture's involvement is critical in establishing methodologies used to calculate sequestration rates for various carbon offsetting activities.
"This information highlights that we need to pay careful attention to issues of cost containment and potential benefits," said NAWG Environment and Renewable Resources (ERR) Committee Chairman Eric Hasselstrom, a wheat producer from Winchester, Idaho. "For myself and other members of our Board, I know this process has been a learning experience and the study that resulted is a tool we will be able to evaluate legislative text as it becomes available."
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with American Farmland Trust to get this study done," said NAWG President Jerry McReynolds, a producer from Woodston, Kan. "We look forward to continuing to formulate policy priorities as Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency take action related to greenhouse gases."
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