Lawmakers recently introduced legislation to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from disclosing private and confidential information of U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Congressman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) and Representatives Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) introduced the Farmer Identity Protection Act (HR 4157) in response to EPA’s release of farmers’ and ranchers’ private information through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Names, addresses, geographic coordinates, email addresses and telephone numbers of more than 80,000 farmers and ranchers were released in early 2013.
According to Drovers CattleNetwork, Crawford is confident the legislation will have enough support to advance through the House, but may struggle with the Senate vote. He encourages farmers and ranchers to reach out to their lawmakers to support the bill.