WASHINGTON-(NFU)--National Farmers Union President, Roger Johnson, commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 by a vote of 219-212.
"This legislation recognises the unique role America's family farmers and ranchers can play when it comes to combating global climate change. The agricultural offset programme, overseen by USDA, will help mitigate the increased input costs of a cap and trade programme, while the early actors provision recognizes those producers who have already adopted environmentally friendly practices.
"Failing to pass climate change legislation is not an option. The EPA is poised to act, with the agency's proposed endangerment finding paving the way for a regulatory approach to addressing greenhouse gases. If this were to occur, the positive provisions within climate change legislation would be lost.
"I commend the House leadership for their tireless efforts to include agriculture as part of the climate change solution. Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman were instrumental to the passage of the bill.
"While not perfect, the House-passed bill is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with the Senate as they begin considering climate change legislation," concluded Johnson.
