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Sen. Ben Nelson proposes a cattle grazing amendment
An amendment to the Farm bill could result in a billion-dollar deficit reduction.
The measure proposed by U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson is sparking a political debate. Some are wondering if this proposal is a personal attack on Senate candidate Deb Fischer. The measure would require that federal grazing fees be comparable to those on private land. Currently, Nelson says the cost to graze cattle on public land is nearly 95 percent below market value. Fischer, the Republican candidate who is vying for Nelson's senate seat, holds grazing rights for hundreds of cattle on thousands of acres of land in north-central Nebraska. Fischer's ranch pays less than $5,000 a year. If the cattle were on private land, the cost would be$117,000. Nelson says this proposal isn't specifically aimed at Fischer. "It's not aimed at any one individual, if the shoe fits wear it, that's always fair, it would be the case if there wasn't somebody running for my seat," said Nelson. During this morning's phone conference, Nelson also spoke about the EPA's use of aerial surveillance. Nelson and Sen. Mike Johanns have both condemned use of the flyovers to spy on farming operations. "Without probable cause it's really sort of invading rancher's space, nobody like that so I'm frustrated with the agencies handlings and their response," Nelson said. The EPA has defended the 10-year practice as a cost-effective way for the agency to monitor animal feedlots that may be polluting water. Senator Johanns introduced the measure as an amendment to the farm bill earlier this week. |
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