Farmers speak out against cap-and-trade bill

A cap atop a farmer's head is a common sight at any farm. Farm Bureau officials nationwide hope to make them common sights in the mail of U.S. senators. The agency started a "Don't Cap Our Future" movement that encourages its members to autograph farm caps and send them to senators in objection to a proposed cap-and-trade, climate change bill in Congress. Lexington farmer Joe Dickerson, district director for the Alabama Farmers Federation, fears the legislation would increase taxes on fertilizers, fuel, electricity and other farming needs. ALFA President Jerry A. Newby, of Athens, said the law would harm agriculture, consumers and the economy. "The House has already passed climate-change legislation that is bad for agriculture, and now an even worse bill is nearing action in the Senate," Newby said. "Farmers and ranchers must speak out now to keep this legislation from becoming law." A Farm Bureau release states cap-and-trade laws will result in higher energy and food costs and a reduced U.S. agricultural sector...read more