Tuesday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a final rule that exempts agriculture from reporting air emissions from animal waste on farms. The rule amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know or EPRCA rule. Nebraska Pork Producers Association President Tim Chancellor says they’re pleased with the exemption.

He says pork producers have had a positive impact on the environment and the Administrator recognized that with his ruling.

Chancellor says had agricultural operations been required to report air emissions under EPCRA it would have created a complicated mess.

Administrator Wheeler says the exemption eliminates an onerous reporting requirement and allows emergency responders and farmers to focus on protecting the public and feeding the nation.