Vilsack Questioned About EPA

Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackTom Vilsack made his first appearance before the newly reorganized Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday. He found himself answering more questions about the EPA than about the USDA. Pending EPA regulations on dust have farmers in an uproar, and Senators in Washington have been getting the message. As a result, many had tough questions for Secretary Vilsack. “It is getting to the point where you think EPA stands for End Production Agriculture,” said Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. The Iowa Republican told Vilsack he has tried to explain things to EPA officials, “I have told them that when you combine soybeans dust happens, and you cannot just harvest soybeans when the wind is not blowing.” The Secretary found himself in the unenviable position of having to answer for an agency he does not administer. Vilsack assured the committee USDA is doing all it can to try and make the EPA more farmer-friendly...more

EPA = End Production Agriculture

DOI = Deny Operators Income

FS = Forest Circus

BLM = Bad Land Management

I'm sure you can think of more...