Seven livestock and poultry groups submitted comments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the negative effects the federal Renewable Fuels Standard has had on agriculture, including the high cost of feed facing livestock and poultry producers. The comments answer several questions posed by the Committee on the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
"The RFS has been the major driver in increasing corn use for ethanol production, and causing corn stocks to decline to crisis levels," the comments state. "In a market-driven world, ethanol would be priced competitively with gasoline. That has never been true in the entire history of the industry."
Additionally, the groups submitted a study to support their comments titled "The RFS, Fuel and Food Pricews, and the Need for Reform," completed by Dr. Tom Elam of FarmEcon. The study examined the extensive impact the Renewable Fuel Standard has had on food and fuel prices.
The groups appreciate the work of the committee in seeking input from our producers and look forward to working with the committee on reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The comments and study were submitted on behalf of the American Meat Institute, National Turkey Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Milk Producers Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and the North American Meat Association.
The documents were presented to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Ranking Member Henry Waxman, D-Calif.
