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southern MN | We are entering an era of mega-regulation.
Dust. (EPA wants dust reduced 50% is the short version, and farming is not getting the exemption it was expeceting.)
Greenhouse gases.
Tier 3 or 4 or 5 diesel engines - whatever they are ramping up to. Along with cat converters on all the little engines, weed trimmers on up.
Wildlife issues.
Manure management issues.
Food regulation such as you mention.
COOL, NAIS, and other labeling/ paperwork/ traceback issues.
This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, as these things have been brewing for decades from both sides of the isle, but are coming to a head rapidly now. People want the feeling of 'safe food' and 'clean environment' and just adding regulations will appear to be the answer; too few city folk and legislators know enough about farming to know what non-source point means, and what it will cost to do things by the book, instead of by the need.
Seems these rules will not apply to imported food, so we will have more & more imports, and less & less exports in the ag industry???? Anyhow, one possible outcome. None of this is to better agriculture, but simpley to apply regulations to it. That often reduces efficiency, reduces output.
Anyhow, one way to view it all.....
--->Paul | |
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