Grassley raises concerns with 30×30 conservation plan

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Grassley raises concerns with 30×30 conservation plan

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley has concerns with President Biden’s 30×30 Plan.

On a call with reporters Thursday, the Iowa Republican was asked if he believes administration claims that it’s not a land grab.

“Well it’s not a land grab in the sense that the farmers lose ownership of their land. But if (the administration) doesn’t handle it right, it’s going to deny young farmers or cash-rent farmers.”

He’s referring to 2013, 2014, and 2015 when he says the federal government made astronomically high payments to farmers who enrolled land in the Conservation Reserve Program.

“So no, it’s not going (about) losing ownership of the land, and there will be income from it for the farmer. But it could be destructive as you take land out of production.”

He says that destruction could reach rural businesses including ag retailers and lead to reductions in animal agriculture.

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has defended the executive order to conserve 30 percent of the nation’s land by 2030 saying the plan will protect private working lands through voluntary programs.

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