Return to April 2024 newsletter
By Kyle K. Weldon and Jim D. Bradbury James D. Bradbury, PLLC
As ruminant animals, cattle produce methane as a byproduct of their digestion. Despite cattle’s unique ability to break down and utilize food sources that are not digestible by non-ruminants and the fact that the agricultural industry accounts for only about 10% of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions, methane as a byproduct of rumen fermentation is something that many climate activists use to point a finger at animal agriculture.
In order to encourage and support reductions in methane emissions from cattle, U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in late March introduced the Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock Act (EMIT LESS Act).
As detailed in a fact sheet from Bennet’s office, the “EMIT LESS Act aims to address enteric methane by expanding research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for products (e.g. feed additives) and practices that reduce these emissions and creating voluntary incentives through conservation programs to help get those products into the hands of farmers and ranchers.”
In addition to expanding USDA research on feed additives that may reduce methane, the EMIT LESS Act also will establish training programs for producers on how to implement feeding practices that can reduce enteric methane emissions. The Act also will seek to add financial incentives to farmers and ranchers who voluntarily use feed products and practices that help reduce enteric methane production.
Importantly, this legislation is not targeted at mandatory reporting or registration by producers; rather, it seeks to reward voluntary efforts by producers.
A copy of the proposed EMIT LESS Act is available here.
A copy of the fact sheet is available here.