Many eyes were on the presidential debate Monday night, which did not really cover issues concerning agriculture. But the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently asked the two major party presidential candidates their views on issues important to agriculture. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both responded to AFBF’s questions on everything from environmental and regulatory issues to taxes.
Farm Bureau’s Don Parrish says, regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS, Clinton would preserve the status quo, while Trump want’s the rule gone.
Clinton says she will incentivize farm conservation practices, fully fund the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and establish a one-stop-shop for agriculture conservation programs. She argues more voluntary conservation will reduce the need for endangered species protections.
Trump said the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has a poor track record of helping animals facing extinction, and is endangering workers, instead, blocking economic development and denying property rights. Trump has pledged a top-down review of all the Obama administration’s ESA actions, and to work with Congress to modernize the Endangered Species Act.
(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters News Service)