Agricultural News
Congressman Frank Lucas Talks EPA, Feritilizer Woes, the Importance of the 2023 Farm Bill and More with Ron Hays
Thu, 31 Mar 2022 08:31:36 CDT
Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas is delighted that the Environmental Protection Agency has reversed direction and will now allow farmers in 46 counties to use Enlist products from Corteva after a January announcement that they would authorize a renewal of the Enlist Duo and Enlist One label- but over a hundred counties in 9 states were red listed- and would not be allowed to use the products.
Lucas talked with Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays about this unusual change of heart by EPA in now allowing farmers across the country to use Enlist products- "I turned my Science Committee staffers loose on the EPA...sent my scientific people over to say- explain to us exactly why you changed your ruling- what's the justification from a scientific perspective?" Lucas is a current ranking member on the House Science Committee.
Those questions plus pressure from a lot of other lawmakers and ag groups and state officials like Oklahoma Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur seemed to make a difference. "It's not very often you win with EPA- but on this day, rhyme and reason and scientific logic prevailed- I don't call it a miracle, but I do think it's an example of how hard you have to work when silly things are done by federal agencies here in our nation's capitol."
Lucas adds that it was important to remind the politically appointed officials of the Biden Administration that science is science and you have to follow science and follow the rules.
Lucas also talked about his personal experience with sticker shock when it comes to current fertilizer prices- and he says that in the short term- the prices will likely remain elevated- and he says that our current fertilizer squeeze with this important input likely will be a problem for awhile- "I'm not sure how it gets any better quickly- but it's a classic example of why you can't just buy the cheapest products from some of the most disagreeable places- you have to maintain domestic production."
He believes that the quickest solution would be to pressure the Russians to abandon their invasion efforts into the Ukraine and allowing that commerce to resume- we have an ocean of natural gas under our state that is a key ingredient for nitrogen fertilizer- but will domestic manufacturers be willing to ramp up domestic production in the near time.
Hays and Lucas also discussed the 2023 Farm Bill that the Congressman hopes to have a major part in writing as a part of the House Ag Committee- they talk about the Biden Budget proposal and about the midterm elections.
Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
