Stallman on Obama's executive order on regulatory reform

Statement by Bob Stallman, President,
American Farm Bureau Federation
Regarding President Obama’s
Executive Order on Regulatory Reform


WASHINGTON, D.C., January 19, 2011—“The American Farm Bureau Federation welcomes the President’s focus on reforming the regulatory process. Today, farmers, ranchers, and countless other business owners face a long list of federal requirements that are eroding their bottom line; they come in the form of regulations, “guidance”, and any number of other agency pronouncements. All too often, these agency actions are far from transparent and lack full consideration of economic impact – let alone any effort to minimize that impact. The most recent and notable example is the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL).

“The President’s Executive Order notes that the regulatory system should promote economic growth, be based on the best available science, allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas, and use the least burdensome tools for accomplishing its ends. EPA’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL rule fails on all these counts. For example, EPA failed to analyze (or at least failed to publicly disclose) the economic impact that would result from its TMDL, even after repeatedly promising to do so. If the new executive order is to have any meaning, we expect it will result in the reconsideration of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Otherwise, we have to wonder whether this Executive Order will bring about any real change.”