In a letter to Debbie Stabenow, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the Environmental Protection Agency ended months of speculation by declining to strengthen regulations on coarse particulate matter pollution, better known as farm dust.

For the past several months, agricultural advocacy groups have worried that the EPA might increase its regulations on dust pollution. The agency’s increased oversight into the Chesapeake Bay and the fight over sediment and fertilizer pollution into Chesapeake waterways has only increased these fears.

Environmentalists argue that increased regulation of dust pollution is necessary and beneficial to human health. Farmers and farm advocacy groups argued that tightening dust regulations could cripple many farms, putting countless farmers out of business.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson stated in her letter to Stabenow, “Based on my consideration of the scientific record, analysis provided by EPA scientists, and advice from the Clean Air Science Advisory Council, I am prepared to impose the retention — with no revision — of the current [coarse particulate matter] standard.”

As a part of the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to review air pollution standards every five year and suggest appropriate actions regarding those standards.

To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting .

Follow us on: Twitter

Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer