Tom Latham: “I really resent the idea too that somehow farmers are not conservationists, are not environmentalists. I tell you on our…”

“I really resent the idea too that somehow farmers are not conservationists, are not environmentalists. I tell you on our land, on our farm, we are the ones who have to make a living off of that land. We are the ones who are raising families who drink that water. And anyone who has the idea that a farmer is not concerned about the quality of life and the preservation of that land and also seeing to it that that water is purified is simply wrong and has no idea of what agriculture is about today or about what a family farm is about. And once again, people who think we are out there trying to pollute the environment simply do not understand reality. Earlier someone tried to blame what happened in Milwaukee on a farmer. And the fact of the matter is, and it has been shown that that was wildlife that put that bacteria in the river, and if anyone thinks that a new Federal mandate or regulation is going to control wildlife out here again they certainly do not understand what is outside of the Beltway here in Washington. This debate, folks, is about Washington regulators against the farm families, the small business people, and the local governments in America.”