Cow Tax Proposal Would Threaten Agriculture Viability

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation ^ | November 15, 2008 | unattributed

[prairiebreeze]

“With the economy in bad shape and the possibility of a deep recession looming, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to levy new taxes—on cows and pigs,” American Farm Bureau Federation Director of Regulatory Relations Rick Krause told Wyoming Farm Bureau members at their annual meeting. Krause spoke in Sheridan on Nov. 7.

“This is no laughing matter,” Krause said. “The cow tax and the pig tax are parts of a larger scheme by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.”

“Under the proposal, if a state charged the “presumptive minimum rate” from the EPA, the cow tax would be $175 per dairy cow, $87.50 per head for beef cattle and a little more than $20 per pig,” Krause explained.

[prairiebreeze]

Not only would a tax of this size "impose severe penalties on livestock producers", it would put many out of business.

[Viking2002]

Hmmmm. Sounds like just another 'gas tax' to me.

[aWolverine]

Not only would a tax of this size "impose severe penalties on livestock producers", it would put many out of business.

That's the idea. Hungry people will gladly apply to their Ministry of Beef for the quota tokens, especially after hearing so many MSM stories about how private farmers were "under-regulated".

[sionnsar]

Bet PETA is behind this...

[ConservativeMind]

How does the EPA have taxing authority? I know they can levy regulations which cost, but taxes?

[tiki]

It would also accomplish what the environazis can’t impose on us otherwise, many people would be forced to become vegetarians. For most cows that would add a 10 to 20% tax and cows are already subject to property tax yearly.

[HighlyOpinionated]

WAIT, didn’t President Bush just sign one of those “last minute” executive orders that gave Mining Cos permission to wreck havoc with mountain tops and watersheds to get at the coal?

And just where was the EPA then?

Why do I keep thinking “hell in a handbasket?”

[NaughtiusMaximus]

“The cow tax and the pig tax are parts of a larger scheme by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Yeah, to impose totalitarianism and destroy America.

[prairiebreeze]

Look at how many people are employed by the Big 3 of Beef (McD, Burger King, Wendy’s) not to mention how many little shops on the corner sling burgers for a buck.

Think there may be any JOBS LOST by such a measure, Misssster Obama?

[prairiebreeze]

Ok. That did make me smile.

Haaa!

[prairiebreeze]

They will propose legislation to the congress, if I’m understanding your question correctly.

There was a lot of rumbling in the industry today about this. It’s not just a story, I’m told.

[Farmer Dean]

Nope,the price of meat would just go up to cover the tax.

[B4Ranch]

I have no problem with the tax IF we equally apply the tax to imported livestock and boxed meat.

[OneWingedShark]

Obama: I hate people being able to AFFORD food...
(e.g. “Let them eat cake.”)

[henkster]

When the Chinese write the “official” history of the downfall of the United States of America, the title will be:

“What the He!! Were They Thinking?”

[prairiebreeze]

You have no problem with a tax that won’t do what it’s ostensibly sold as accomplishing? That will harm producers and make prices rise and demand decline because of it and put more money in the gubmint’s pocket??

Funny, I do.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest/outdoors/rural list please FR mail me. And ping me is you see articles of interest.

As a non cow/pig owner, those are some pretty stiff taxes.

[Political Junkie Too]

I thought the government wasn't supposed to tax food. So the food is still in a living state, it's still food.

If they are taxed because they emit greenhouse gas, so do all living creatures. Do we tax ourselves for breathing, too?

-PJ

[familyop]

"...the cow tax would be $175 per dairy cow, $87.50 per head for beef cattle..."

Whoah, there! Reverse those taxes, so that those with play-ranches (movie stars, other business moguls and the like--always beef) have to pay the higher tax. And get a tax on those millions of horses that are standing around and not being ridden. That should do it.

Under those conditions, the policy would not pass. It can only pass, if meat for the working class folks is taxed.

[Lera]

“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK. That’s not leadership. That’s not going to happen.
Barack Obama “

Lot of Americans will go hungry