Editor, Times-Union: In the face of the letters of condemnation that have been published here concerning CAFO permitting, I would like to thank the farmers of Kosciusko County and around our state for their work in feeding not only those of us here at home, but around the world.
Many folks don’t recognize it, but American farmers and our agricultural industry are responsible in no small way for the health and strength of our great nation.
Not only do we rely on American agriculture for food, feed, fiber and fuel, our agricultural producers also preserve our environment and help drive our national economy.
Of the 2.1 million farms in America, about 200,000 of them – mostly family-owned – produce 85 percent of what we consume.
Let’s be clear, modern agriculture, including modern livestock and poultry production systems, produces healthful, nutritious and safe food at a price value for consumers. It is done in an environmentally sustainable and humane way providing a safe workplace.
All citizens should be aware that regulatory decisions which are passed to appease the political movement of the day and that limit our ability to increase food productivity, will have consequences. With a growing global population, those consequences will be increased hunger in the U.S. and around the world for future generations.
Joe Moore Executive Vice President Indiana Beef Cattle Association-Indiana Beef Council Indianapolis, via e-mail
