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Johanns introduces bill to ban EPA aerial surveillance
Nebraska U.S. Senator Mike Johanns has introduced legislation which would ban the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from conducting aerial surveillance of cattle feedlots for one year.
In a speech on the Senate floor today (Wednesday), Johanns said he’s been frustrated by EPA’s failure to provide a complete accounting of the size and scope of its surveillance program.
“I want to be very clear, this legislation does not affect EPA’s ability to use traditional on-site inspections—but given EPA’s track record of ignorance about agriculture, if not downright contempt for it, farmers and ranchers do not trust this agency,” Johanns said. “Until EPA takes a more common sense, transparent, open approach, we need to step on the brakes.
“This bill does that. It places a one-year moratorium on EPA from using aerial surveillance. This will give the agency time to come clean about its activities nationwide and make the case that these flights are an appropriate use of agency authority and taxpayer money.”
The legislation is similar to a bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Nebraska Representative Adrian Smith.
In June, Johanns’ amendment to the Senate farm bill to ban EPA aerial surveillance received 56 votes, including ten Democrats, though it did not receive the 60 votes required to pass.
AUDIO: Johanns’ speech on Senate floor (5:22 MP3)
Link to news release on Sen. Johanns’ web site
2012-08-01 11:04:32
Source: http://brownfieldagnews.com/2012/08/01/johanns-introduces-bill-to-ban-epa-aerial-surveillance/
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