The agricultural communities of America would be wise to take note of what European parliaments are imposing upon their farmers.

Thousands of farmers have protested against their governments as their national cabinets move to outlaw or excessively tax diesel- and gasoline-powered farm equipment, cut the number of animals on farms, or to close the farms permanently due to “climate emissions.”

Growing up in an agricultural community and now working in the grain industry, I know that what these foreign parliaments propose is detrimental to farmers, and their protests are justified. The Washington community I have lived in my entire life would be severely impacted by any similar proposal made by our representatives, senators, governor, or the federal government.

Recently, Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, has pre-filed a bill to amend the Clean Air Act to ban the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered lawn equipment by 2026. Limited exemptions for government agencies and commercial use are available. Those who do not heed the proposed bill could be jailed for 364 days and pay a fine of $10,000 for every use.

The cries of climate change and pollution caused by lawn equipment will undoubtably eventually move to farm equipment. If our states or federal government enact a formal ban on these petroleum products, it will certainly be to the detriment of farmers and will turn our small villages and communities into ghost towns.

Entire regions would be affected, and thousands of farm families would lose their businesses and livelihoods.

Sebastian King

Harrington, Wash.