On June 10th, The New York Post reported:
Cityslicker state lawmakers from the Big Apple want to limit the number of cows on New York’s dairy farms – a green push that opponents argue would cripple an industry that needs to be beefed up.
The bill would prohibit dairy farms from reaching or exceeding 700 cows as a way to keep bovine farts from spewing the greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere, as well as “billions of pounds of manure” from polluting waterways.
But Chris Noble, co-owner of the 1,800-cow Noblehurst Farms in Livingston County, argued the “arbitrary” cow cap would create an economic burden on dairy farms such as his.
The proposed moo-ve has also sparked an upstate-downstate beef between lawmakers from rural and urban districts — with even Gov. Kathy Hochul viewing the bill as “insane,” according to a source close to the Democratic leader.
“Let’s be clear: this bill makes no sense,” Sen. Mark Walczyk (R-Jefferson) said in a statement.
“By restricting dairy farm expansions, we are undermining successful farmers in an industry that is already incredibly challenging. Why are New York City lawmakers trying to create mandates for farmers in our rural communities? They have no business doing so.”
The bill’s sponsors are Democratic Socialists of America member state Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan). Other supporters include fellow DSA member Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn) and downstate Democrats, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn).
Notice that none of the sponsors of the bill are from areas that have dairy farms–they all represent areas of New York City.
The article concludes:
Critics claim Brisport and Rosenthal – the two sponsors of the bill – don’t understand how farming and upstate agriculture work.
“Our family-run, sometimes women-owned farms take great pride in caring for our land, animals, and communities,” said Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Matteson in a statement provided by Walczyk’s office.
“Many of these farms provide important income to minorities and disadvantaged people.”
GOP House Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is eyeing a run for governor, called out the legislation as did a rival looking to pick up her congressional seat.
Stefanik called the proposal an “anti-farm bill” while Democrat Blake Gendebien, a St. Lawrence County farmer, complained “New York City Dems don’t get agriculture.”
Walczyk said state lawmakers from the city should focus on the five boroughs and “leave Upstate out of it.”
“Our farmers deserve support, not obstacles,” he stated. “This legislation will drive farms out of New York altogether.”
The farms the bill would impact provide the residents of New York City with milk, butter, and cheese. The legislators sponsoring this bill would do well to consider that.
