Christian Science Monitor on ESA Shakeups: Does Protecting Species Have to be a Zero-Sum Game?

AFBF’s Ryan Yates, director of congressional relations, was quoted in a Christian Science Monitor article on proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. When critical habitat for a species is found on a farm, “you’ve got a farmer that’s really just trying to do normal farming practices, but now those are going to be jeopardized because of all the paperwork and burdens that come with ESA interpretation,” Yates told CSM. He described changes to regulations that Farm Bureau hopes to see, including encouraging more voluntary conservation and forums for discussion between farmers and other landowners, scientists and regulators about the best practices to maintain a species’ habitat while preserving farmers’ livelihoods.