US Representatives Tracey Mann of Kansas and Rudy Yakym of Indiana have introduced H.R. 4956, the Farmer-Informed WOTUS Act, in response to President Biden's Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule, which is seen as overreaching and unconstitutional.
The legislation aims to create a farmer-led advisory committee at the US Department of Agriculture, comprised of farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, trade association representatives, and state department officials.
This committee will examine the impact of regulations like the WOTUS rule on production agriculture and suggest solutions to streamline agricultural productivity while eliminating unnecessary red tape.
Representative Mann, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, is proud to represent farmers and ranchers in Kansas' Big First District. The district is a significant agricultural producer, with 60,000 farms and ranches and annual sales of $10 billion in livestock, dairy, poultry, beef, milk, and eggs.
The Farmer-Informed WOTUS Act seeks to ensure that farmers have a say in policies affecting their livelihoods and offers a platform for real-world experiences to be shared, allowing for better-informed agricultural regulations.
The proposed committee will also address conflicting rulings and explore clearer rules, including exemptions for those involved in production agriculture.
Representative Mann recently discussed these agricultural concerns at a town hall meeting in Russell, Kansas, emphasizing the importance of considering farmer insights in shaping federal regulations.