Agriculture groups say that the Biden administration’s “30 by 30" plan misses the mark. The plan stands for conserving 30 percent of U.S. land and water by the year 2030, as well as cutting greenhouse gas emissions by half in that same time.
American Farm Bureau’s Public Policy Director says that there are a lot more questions than answers on what the plan really means. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack claims this is not a land grab, but when Senator John Thune questioned the new Deputy Secretary nominee for USDA, she said this: “We need to keep working lands working. So, we have an opportunity to partner with our farms, forestland owners, and others, in a way to do that, in recognizing that history of stewardship, to honor private property rights, and to assure that we have voluntary incentive-based opportunities for our farmers and our forest owners to participate.”
That was Jewel Bronaugh.
Sen. Thune says that her answer leaves too big of a loophole for the government to acquire more land, much of which he claims is unproperly managed.
American Farm Bureau President, Zippy Duvall says that the industry wants to know if their good work will be recognized by the administration.
He says, “We ask that you move swiftly to provide clarification about your intentions, and when you do, make sure to invite public comments because farmers and ranchers are leaders in conservation and deserve to get heard.”