Cattle industry leaders are pleased with the mark-up of the 2017 spending bill by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment. The measure would defund the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President Dr. Phil Reetsma the measure clarifies the agricultural exemptions in the section 404 permitting process. He calls it a good start in stopping a problematic rule.

He says the spending bill also defunds new rules under the Clean Air Act and greenhouse gas reporting for manure management systems. Reemtsma says producers are already doing a good job of voluntarily addressing environmental issues.

Reemtsma says there’s good support for passage of the legislation, although it’s still early in the process.

The NCBA and the Public Lands Council are also hailing the legislation and calling for its approval.