EPA Plans Livestock Tax

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for regulating greenhouse gas emissions proposes to levy a global warming tax on livestock. According to calculations by the New York Farm Bureau, a global warming tax will be oppressive.

“The tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, and $87.50 per head of beef cattle. The tax on hogs would [be] upwards of $20 per hog,” the release said. “Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits.”

The Department of Agriculture has weighed in with a warning that the regulatory compliance costs would be unbearable for smaller livestock operations.

To refresh memories, the nation of New Zealand attempted to levy a flatulence tax on livestock back in 2003 but ultimately abandoned the idea.

At first, the New Zealand political class wanted the tax to mitigate global warming but later changed its argument to a desire to fund research on global warming. In any event, the result was massive outrage and protests by the agricultural sector of the economy and the politicians decided to discontinue their fart tax grab.

Personally, I'm troubled by the idea of the EPA having the authority to impose taxes. It's burdensome already that the EPA imposes fines for violations. Although it's a pipe dream, I firmly believe that all global warming concerns would realize the most mitigation by the complete dismantling of the EPA.

Tip: Charley Nestor

Companion post at The Jawa Report.