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KyCGA News
For Immediate Release
January 25, 2010
Kentucky Corn Growers Applaud NCGA’s Opposition to House
Cap-and-Trade Legislation
The
Kentucky Corn Growers’ Association (KyCGA) applauds the
recent National Corn Growers Association decision to oppose
H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Several months prior to the National Corn Growers’ decision,
KyCGA board of directors passed a resolution to oppose this
Cap-and-Trade legislation based on information specific to
Kentucky’s corn industry. Wanting to investigate the impacts
on national agriculture further, NCGA retained Informa
Economics of Memphis, Tenn. to conduct an analysis.
“The
results of the Informa study indicate that every corn grower
in the country will experience increased costs of production
resulting from the passage of this legislation,” said Darren
Ihnen, NCGA president and Hurley, S.D. farmer. “We simply
cannot support any policy that will reduce the profitability
of our farmers.”
The
study found that while higher production costs will be
relatively minor in the early years of this legislation,
prices will significantly increase over time, placing
unnecessary burden on growers.
The
analysis also indicates H.R. 2454 will result in diverting
productive farmland into afforestation (newly planted
forests) or perennial grasses solely to gain offset credits.
“Although the analysis shows dramatically less acreage
diversion than noted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
it still diverts land needed to feed and fuel a hungry world
and therefore affects both food security and energy
security,” said Ihnen.
KyCGA
thanks the National Corn Growers Association for their
initiative in studying this important legislation, and is
encouraged by the leadership provided by House Agriculture
Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and other allies to make
this legislation as friendly to farmers as possible.
# # #
Founded
in 1982, the Kentucky Corn Growers Association represents
500 dues-paying corn farmers and the interests of more than
2,000 growers who contribute through the Kentucky corn
checkoff program. KyCGA works with the
National Corn Growers Association to create and increase
opportunities for their members and their industry.
Contact:
Jennifer Elwell, Kentucky Corn Growers Association
jennifer@kycorn.org / (502) 921-2625
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