OFB: Cap And Trade, Wolves Biggest Ag Issues Before Lawmakers

The 2019 Oregon legislative session gets underway in Salem Tuesday, and the Oregon Farm Bureau says Cap and Trade and Wolves will be the top two issues the farming community should watch.  When it comes to Cap and Trade, OFB expressed concern that Oregon is trying to follow the lead of California.  OFB’s Jonathan Sandau said those supporting Cap And Trade says the Ag community will be exempt, which he said is not accurate.  He added California farmers have suffered because of the implementation of Carbon Price program, and he’s concerned Oregon growers are not far behind.

“It dramatically increased fuel costs, it dramatically increased transportation costs, all of the inputs that I just mentioned, they all went up in the California market.  Farmers there are spending more money to get their product to market, to try to get to the port, to get their food move around.”

The other issue the OFB will follow closely is wolf management.

“I think we will see some funding conversations and conversations around the way that wolf management impacts, the ways the funding impacts wolf management," said Mary Anne Cooper is OFB’s Vice President of Public Policy.  "But I think the bigger conversation is going to be at the agency level as the agency looks to finalize the Oregon Wolf Management Plan.”

She added collaring will also be an issue as talks continue.

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