USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack fielded several questions on climate change and coming policy plans from the Biden administration relative to agriculture as he testified on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget plans for his agency. While the details of the major portion of the budget are yet to be released, Vilsack addressed questions on the proposed funding increase for USDA climate hubs. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., raised comments by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates that consumers in rich countries should be eating meat alternatives, something Fortenberry said would negatively impact his state and its cattle industry.
Asked if he agreed with Gates' comments, Vilsack stated that he believes farmers are "great stewards" and that they will "embrace climate smart agriculture practices" and animal stewardship activities "and be able to allow us to message the ability and importance of animal protein production."
He also said he did not favor barring certain technologies and expressed support for methane-reducing technologies and the ability to capture methane from cows could be important tools. There was little fresh information offered on the administration's plans for a carbon bank or how they intend to create climate programs for crop farmers.