FORT WORTH – Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) expressed disappointment that the climate change bill, S. 1733, passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee despite strong opposition from the cattle industry.

TSCRA encourages legislation that promotes responsible environmental stewardship; however, as written, S. 1733 will have a devastatingly negative effect on the cattle industry.

The higher operating costs, increased federal regulation and higher taxes all associated with S. 1733 will certainly create an economic climate hostile to the environmental conservation and cultivation achieved through ranching.

“For ranchers, immediate impacts of the bill would include drastic increases in the price of fuel, feed and electricity, which would in turn drive up operating costs,” said TSCRA President Dave Scott.