“New research and ranching practices are showing promising results to reduce methane emissions and keep our farms and ranches thriving,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will invest in further research and provide our producers with tools to improve their farms and ranches.”

“Wisconsin’s farmers and ranchers work hard day in and day out to feed our families and we need to give them all the tools they need to succeed, including supporting the innovative practices for farmers that want to reduce their emissions,” said Sen. Baldwin. “I’m proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to unlock new tools for farmers to cut down their methane emissions and create sustainable farming operations for the next generation.”

“Colorado has led the nation by taking important steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions, including methane – and our state’s family farmers and ranchers play a crucial role in that effort,” said Sen. Bennet. “This bill will help Colorado’s cattlemen and livestock producers access every available tool to voluntarily reduce methane emissions, expand research into this field, and improve the sustainability of their farms and ranches.”

 

“Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of Idaho’s economy,” said Sen. Crapo. “I proudly support this legislation that advances agricultural technology, invests in local ecology and provides hands-on training for the most up-to-date practices in the field,”

The EMIT LESS Act aims to address enteric methane, which is naturally emitted during the digestive process of most livestock species. Through expanding research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), introducing new products, such as feed additives, installing practices that reduce these emissions and creating voluntary incentives through conservation programs will get helpful products into the hands of farmers and ranchers.

 

“Innovative feed ingredients are poised to help U.S. dairy farmers augment their ongoing voluntary, producer-led stewardship efforts,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “Once enteric methane-reducing feed additives are approved, dairy producers will need resources and support as they begin uptake. To that end, we commend Senators Michael Bennet, Mike Crapo, Tammy Baldwin, and Jerry Moran for their bipartisan legislation to better target USDA conservation programs to assist farmers as they begin to use these important feed ingredients on a voluntary basis.”

 

“We applaud Senators Michael Bennet and Mike Crapo for introducing the EMIT LESS Act,” said Jackie Klippenstein, Senior Vice President and Chief Government and Industry Relations Officer of Dairy Farmers of America. “This bill recognizes and supports the environmental efforts of dairy farmers and will ensure that the necessary research and assistance is available to farmers committed to reducing emissions. It will also align existing conservation programs with the important work already taking place in the dairy sector.”

 

“This bill will allow our nation’s livestock producers to be better positioned to compete in the global climate economy,” said Chuck Conner, President & CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. “This bill empowers USDA to direct resources to voluntary livestock practices that have incredible potential to reduce GHG emissions and increase profitability for our nation’s livestock producers. I commend Senator Bennet and Crapo for their bipartisan leadership on this bill.”

 

“Danone is taking action to reduce methane emissions in our fresh milk supply by 30% by 2030,” said Chris Adamo, Vice President of Public Affairs and Regenerative Agriculture of Danone North America. “We are investing in farming partners to support and increase implementation of regenerative agriculture practices and innovative technologies that address methane from enteric fermentation. Reducing livestock methane emissions is vital for mitigating climate change, alongside efforts in decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. We thank Senator Bennet and the co-sponsors of this important bi-partisan legislation for prioritizing funding and training necessary to help U.S. agricultural producers accelerate the deployment of new tools necessary to mitigating methane,”

 

“We thank Senators Bennet and Crapo for introducing a bill that strengthens our country’s research and conservation programs while recognizing the unique role that animal nutrition and feed ingredients play in reducing on-farm enteric methane emissions,” said Constance Cullman, President and Chief Executive of the American Feed Industry Association. ”The EMIT LESS Act shows that right alongside animal food innovators, our country is willing to invest in a more sustainable future,”

 

“The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) commends Senators Bennet and Crapo for supporting farmers and ranchers’ voluntary efforts to reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock,” said the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA). “The bipartisan EMIT LESS Act will bolster ongoing, farmer-led efforts to address enteric methane emissions and support research on the efficiency and environmental benefits associated with novel feed additives,”

 

“New enteric methane-mitigating products and practices hold promise for U.S. beef and dairy producers to both reduce emissions and increase the productivity of their operations,” said David Hong, Federal Policy Director for Food & Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute. “We applaud Senators Bennet and Crapo’s vision for scaling up the testing capacity, training opportunities, and on-farm trials needed to ensure solutions prove their effectiveness at reducing enteric methane, without compromising animal health or safety. The EMIT LESS Act will provide much-needed support for enteric methane research and cost-sharing to enable on-farm emissions reductions, bolstering the long-term sustainability and profitability of animal agriculture.”

 

 

The text of the bill is available HERE.

 

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