Cramer Praises Unanimous Court Ruling Against EPA For Sharing Private Information With Environmental Activists

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer praised the recent unanimous ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals that found the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated the Freedom of Information Act when it gave environmental activists the personal contact information of farmers and ranchers.

"Once again, another unanimous court ruling has slapped down a federal agency on its egregious overstep of authority. No federal agency should be assisting environmental activists like Earthjustice in harassing agriculture producers."

He said there have been many rulings during the Obama Administration by the Supreme Court and Appeals Courts, many of them unanimous, that have pushed back on the overreach of federal agencies. "Farmers and ranchers should not have to be concerned that the information they give to federal agencies could then be released to radical organizations that have an intent to harass them."

The lawsuit was brought against the EPA three years ago by the America Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council after the agency released contact information of concentrated animal feeding operations to environmental groups.

"This decision affirms the rights of farm families, and all individuals in general, to know the personal information they provide to federal agencies is protected," Cramer said.

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