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Candidates’ surrogates discuss ag issues

Photo courtesy of Farm Foundation

Photo courtesy of Farm Foundation

The impact of government regulations on agriculture was one of the topics discussed this week during a Washington, D.C. forum on the food and agriculture platforms of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Sam Clovis, who is advising Trump on agricultural issues, cited the EPA’s Clean Water Act rule—also known as WOTUS—as a prime example of how excessive regulations are hurting farmers.

“It is one of the greatest and most expansive reaches for power that I’ve seen in my lifetime—and I’ve studied this for a long time,” Clovis said. “This may be the poster child of government overreach.”

Speaking for the Clinton campaign was Kathleen Merrigan, a former deputy secretary of agriculture. She says issues around WOTUS have been blown out of proportion.

“These are worries that are boogeyman worries,” said Merrigan. “But nevertheless, Secretary Clinton has said she’s committed to meaningful process, better communications, and to work with stakeholders to figure this out.”

The two surrogates also clashed over the estate tax, with Clovis saying Trump would end the tax, while Merrigan defended it, saying that issue was also being overblown.

The event was sponsored by the Farm Foundation. Audio from the forum is available on the Farm Foundation website.

Brownfield’s requests for interviews with the actual candidates are still pending.

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