[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3628]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      EPA RELEASES PRODUCERS' INFORMATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

  (Mr. CRAWFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the 
EPA's recent disregard for our Nation's food safety.
  Two weeks ago, I learned the EPA released phone numbers, addresses, 
and even geographic coordinates that were collected from livestock 
producers. This information was requested by extremist groups, 
including Earth Justice and the Natural Resources Defense Council, 
through a Freedom of Information Act request. The EPA handed over the 
very personal information.
  I have serious concerns about the potential threat these actions pose 
to the privacy of American farm families, as well as the safety and 
security of our Nation's food supply. This is yet another example of 
the EPA's overreach into the lives of hardworking individuals in rural 
America.
  As chairman of the Agricultural Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural 
Development, and Credit, I'm leading a group of 40 House Members in 
writing a letter to the acting director of the EPA expressing our 
concern and asking the acting director to ensure the released 
information is not improperly used.
  Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable for the EPA to do anything that could 
jeopardize our Nation's food security or threaten our Nation's farm 
operations.

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