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Posted: 9:36 PM Jan 9, 2009
Belching Cows Could Cost Farmers Dearly
It would be a gas tax of sorts -- farmers with belching cows might have to pay more taxes since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says some farm animals gases are bad for the environment.
Reporter: Dave Benton Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com |
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MASON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It would be a gas tax of sorts -- farmers with belching cows might have to pay more taxes since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says some farm animals gases are bad for the environment.
"I think the government has more problems than belching cows," said Mason County cattle farmer Jack Crank.
He said he's bewildered by a proposal to tax livestock farms where the animals emit massive amounts of greenhouse gases.
In New York, the EPA wants to levy a tax. Here's the breakdown: the tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, $87.50 for beef cattle, and the tax per hog would be $20.
Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits.
"With the high price of hay, soon families won't be able to put food on the table," Crank said.
The proposal in New York state is said to potentially cost farmers more than $110 million a year, which farmers say would have a huge impact on the rural economy and could force countless family farms out of business.
"I don't think families will get a bailout," Crank said.
Nothing is definite yet with the proposed livestock tax, and it's just a proposal at this point in New York. We'll keep you updated if the law is passed.
Latest Comments
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 28, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Cows release methane. Bacteria in the gut of the animal break down food and convert some of it to methane. When these animals belch, methane is released. In one day, a cow can emit ½ pound of methane into the air. Imagine 1.3 billion cattle each burping methane several times per minute!
Posted by: kris
on Jan 18, 2009 at 11:58 PM
I think this is a hole bunch of BULL The gov. needs to back off before we have no food in our store's were do they think the food come from a tree out back ,and we lose a lot more jobs too. the farmers do create jobs for people these people that think this stuff up are over paid they need to come back down to the real world !they need to go back in time & live to see what its all about fools
Posted by: rob
on Jan 18, 2009 at 09:48 PM
ya your right i lost my farm but im not giving up !this is a joke ! the gov needs to back off all the farmers !no food your dead ! i try my best to live off the land but they keep rising the tax so you cant get what you need & the cost of ins's is a joke to ! maybe obmama can get things fixed i hope
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