WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from changing coarse particle matter standards and would exempt farm dust from federal regulation. H.R. 1633 included an amendment from Congressman Rick Crawford that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to consult with the Department of Agriculture before they issue new regulations that would impact agriculture.

“Some Washington regulations truly are unbelievable. Today, the House took action to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing new regulations on dust – yes dust. While it may seem mind-boggling, the EPA does have the authority to regulate dust,” said Crawford. “As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I have heard testimony from both the Secretary of Agriculture and the EPA Administrator. After hearing this testimony it was obvious that the two agencies do not talk to each other. This is particularly troubling because when I ask farmers in our district about the greatest threat to their operations, they always answer with three letters: E-P-A. Because the two agencies do not talk to each other, I proposed an amendment to the Farm Dust Prevention Act that would direct the EPA to consult with the Department of Agriculture before new dust regulations are set.”

H.R. 1633 passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 268-150.

You can watch the video of Rep. Crawford introducing the amendment here.

Crawford amendment requires EPA to consult with USDA before issuing new regulations