On February 7, 2018, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and recounted a long list of regulatory abuses and missteps by the federal government. Michigan Farm News states that Duvall singled out the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Administrative Procedure Act as laws that are ripe for reform.
“I have met farmers and ranchers who are not sure if they should encourage their children to remain on the farm,” Duvall told committee members. “This is not a partisan issue. This is about allowing our farmers and businesses to be productive. It’s about a goal that I believe we all share: a regulatory process that is credible—one that we can get behind instead of having to fight against.” Duvall also provided specific examples of how regulations are felt at the farm and ranch level.