The Nebraska Farm Bureau is reacting to New York U.S. House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's "New Green Deal" proposal that calls for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 10 years.That includes methane that makes up about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.That includes livestock, primarily cattle.
Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson released this statement:
"Yesterday’s announced ‘Green New Deal’ is totally unrealistic. It is clear its authors and supporters have spent no time in rural areas or even have a basic understanding of how food is produced. The proposal is a blatant and unscientific attack on livestock production as well an assault on Nebraska’s agricultural economy due to our sensitivity to even slight energy price increases. When the House of Representatives attacked agriculture in 2009 with ‘Cap and Trade’, Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers fought back. We intend to do the same thing again.”
The new deal states they plan to work with farmers to eliminate pollution and greenhouse emissions - as much as is technologically feasible as well as support family farms.
Studies show that beef cattle produce about 2% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. It is widely believed that the methane cattle emit is from intestinal gas.That is a false statement as most of the methane they produce comes from burps.The "Green New Deal" offers no suggestions on how to reduce livestock emissions.
Jordan Dux is the Director of National Affairs for the Nebraska Farm Bureau and tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB, "We can all talk about sustainability.We can certainly talk about the efforts the livestock industry has done to reduce its carbon footprint but when you just start talking about the elimination of the industry, you can't even take the proposal seriously."
Governor Pete Ricketts also issued a statement regarding the "Green New Deal" designed to abolish cattle production.
“As the Governor of the Beef State, this announcement is shockingly ignorant. Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez’s plan to end cattle production would kill our state’s number one industry, and destroy countless middle class jobs and family businesses. I urge congressional leaders to kill this resolution swiftly and decisively to send a message to anti-agriculture socialists that we will fight for our way of life.”