News

Environmental Working Group releases conservation database

The Environmental Working Group has created a conservation database which details how almost $30 Billion in conservation funding has been used since 2005.

Craig Cox, for the non-profit, tells Brownfield while the USDA supports really good programs, funding needs to be more focused on the most effective conservation practices.  “Where there’s really significant threats to public health or the environment, particularly around protecting source water that’s used for drinking water.”

He says even if conservation programs are operating at their most efficient level, it’s not enough to move past environmental challenges.  “It’s time to think about requiring some practices, some basic simple conservation practices that landowners should just have in place on their property.”

Cox says the database does not take into consideration what farmers might already be doing voluntarily which creates a problem when trying to calculate the impact of conservation measures.

The group is asking Congress to create stronger conservation compliance requirements and fewer voluntary practices in the next farm bill.

AUDIO: Interview with Craig Cox