EPA Funds Used to Accuse Farmers of Polluting Water

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Two billboards violate federal rules because the EPA funds the groups that put up the signs, according to an EPA official. The advertisements accuse farmers of polluting water. The Capitol Press reports a coalition of environmental groups put up the billboards to promote ‘What’s Upstream,’ a media campaign crafted by a public relations firm to link agriculture with water pollution. 

 

The groups used an EPA grant to fund the billboards but did not credit the agency’s financial support, a requirement to receive EPA grants. The Capitol Press inquired to the EPA regarding the billboards last week. An official with the federal agency replied saying the billboards look “like a violation,” adding the EPA believes the groups will bring the signs into compliance. 

The billboards claimed “unregulated agriculture is putting our waterways at risk.” Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas released a statement on the matter, saying “the billboard is another example of EPA’s improper practice of encouraging the lobbying of legislators.” Roberts accused the EPA of having an agenda hostile to agriculture.

 

Sen. Roberts released the following statement:

“This disturbing billboard is a bold example of exactly what America’s farmers and ranchers complain about all the time: the EPA has an agenda antagonistic to producers. Whether it’s overly burdensome and costly regulations or something as obvious as this this malicious billboard, the EPA has much to answer for in maligning those that grow the food and fiber to feed the world. Our farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land and want to see our natural resources protected as much as any other American.

“While there are legal concerns with the lack of disclosure of EPA’s involvement, the billboard is another example of EPA’s improper practice of encouraging the lobbying of legislators. How and why the EPA has allowed taxpayer dollars to be used to attack any industry, including our vital agriculture producers, demands answers.”

 

Source:  NAFB News Service and Sen. Pat Roberts Office. 

 

 

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