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Ag groups form Farmers for a Sustainable Future
Twenty-one agricultural groups representing US farmers and ranchers committed to using sustainable practices have formed a new coalition to address the changing climate.
Farmers for a Sustainable Future is meant to serve as a primary resource for lawmakers and policymakers as they consider climate policies.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says agriculture has a great story to tell with farmers and ranchers at the forefront of climate-smart practices. He says they use science, technology, and innovation to protect the air, land, and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ethan Lane is vice president of governmental affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
“Today’s a really defining moment in agriculture – 21 agricultural groups representing the vast majority of American agriculture are standing together to talk about our environmental record,” he says.
Lane says for too long the national debate regarding agriculture has been driven by false information and bad science. He says the coalition is standing together to help consumers and lawmakers understand how farmers and ranchers produce food with a small environmental footprint.
Michael Formica is the assistant vice president of domestic policy and counsel with the National Pork Producers Council.
“Farmers were the original environmentalists and I want to stretch that some and remind you that farmers are also masters of information and technology and it’s that mastery of technology, it’s an entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s an advancement of technology that has helped all of agriculture continue to meet and achieve pressing environmental challenges,” he says.
The coalition’s guiding principles call for policies that support science-based research and voluntary incentive-based conservation programs.
The members include American Farm Bureau Federation, American Pulse Association, American Sugar Alliance, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council of America, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Sunflower Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, United Egg Producers, US Canola Association, US Dry Bean Council, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, and USA Rice.
The ag groups hosted a press conference today in Washington DC.
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