May. 09, 2022
Dear Commissioner Gary Gensler, As a 4th generation family livestock producer raising and selling cattle and sheep to feed our rapidly growing population, I am writing to submit comments to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed rule on the Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. The proposed rule is overreach by the Securities and Exchange Commission that will decrease food production and increase costs. Farmers and ranchers like me are already heavily regulated by multiple agencies at the local, state and the federal level. We buy everything at retail, sell everything wholesale and pay the freight in both directions. The proposed rule's focus on the value chain for climate-related risks and impacts under Scope 3 means the start of the value chain, like farms and ranches, will face a disproportionate burden in having to provide unknown costs. Farmers play a leading role in climate sustainability. It is the job of elected lawmakers, not unelected regulators at the SEC, to adopt policies related to farms and ranches. I urge you to stay within your jurisdiction and stop this overreach into crate change through small farms and ranches nationwide. One of the unintended results of this type of overreach will be to put more small farms and ranches out of business, requiring more of America's food to be produced out-of-country. Regards, Larry Pressler 3935 Oriole Ct College Station, TX 77845