by Rick Perry
Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Eighty percent of endangered wildlife habitat exists on private land. So why is it when landowners make every effort to attract these species, they’re often punished with additional regulatory restrictions?
Now believe it or not, that statement comes from an environmental Defense Fund report. The announcement goes on to say that the only way the Endangered Species Act will ever work is by rewarding landowners for good stewardship.
The fact is despite some 24 years that the Endangered Species Act has been on the books, it has failed to truly protect wildlife. And according to this EDF report, it’s because the Act has declared war on landowners - the very people who can play the biggest role in protecting wildlife.
Now I’m not about to say I told you so. If anything, Texas landowners should welcome the Environmental Defense Fund’s endorsement of our efforts with open arms. It’s a lot better than getting poked in the nose.
I was in the grocery store the other day and overheard a couple “discussing” the running tab on their groceries. The wife put a jug of milk in the shopping cart while her husband shook his head saying, “Can you believe the price on this?”
No telling what that same guy would have said had he been shopping in Tokyo where - on average - that same jug of milk sells for around $6 a gallon. The fact is no one in the world pays less of their disposable income for food than Americans.
Sure there are some food items on every grocery aisle that will cost you a little more this year than last. But compared with the rest of the world, a trip to the supermarket in the U.S. is a downright bargain. Consumers in Japan would probably stock up on steak if they could pay $4 a pound like we do in this country. Truth is they’re paying $26 a pound for that same sirloin.
In fact, of nine items normally found on our supper tables, shoppers in Paris pay close to $30. Japanese residents pay almost $60. While here in Texas and the U.S., that same supper will cost you $16.91.
So before anybody starts fretting about the high cost of eating, we might want to stop every once in a while and think about that high quality, abundant food supply that American farmers and ranchers have allowed us all.
Just remember: it’s hard to complain when your mouth is full.
Reprint permission given by AgAir Update, P.O. Box 850, Perry, GA 31069 - an international agricultural aviation publication.
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