FB Delegates Continue Support for Farm Bill Direction

RENO, Nev., January 9, 2002 – The American Farm Bureau Federation's farmer and rancher delegates today set policies and priorities for this year, reaffirming support for a farm program that improves net farm income, and calling for a prohibition on packer ownership of livestock. Delegates also reaffirmed their commitment to regional dairy compacts and called for a national dairy program that includes a counter-cyclical income assistance component.

AFBF President Bob Stallman, a Texas cattle and rice producer, was re-elected to his second two-year term. Vice President Steve Appel, a Washington wheat and barley grower, also was elected to a two-year term.

Delegates approved farm program policy stating "the next farm bill should continue to focus on a consistent, long-term market-oriented farm policy," that will improve net farm income, enhance the economic opportunity for farmers, preserve property rights and conserve the environment.

Aggressively reaffirming the organization's commitment to continued farmer and rancher income opportunities, the delegates approved a policy to "prohibit packer ownership of livestock" in the belief that such ownership stifles competitive pricing. The policy outlines a provision to exempt "cooperatives or entities owned by cooperatives and packers who slaughter less than 2 percent of total U.S. livestock slaughtered."

In other livestock-related action, the delegates approved policy for a certification process for a "grown in the USA" labeling program. The policy stated, "for animal products to receive this label, the animal(s) must have been exclusively born, raised and processed in the United States." Delegates also approved language calling for a new domestic lamb promotion program.

In other farm policy action, delegates approved policy language supporting a market-oriented dairy program that would include "a national counter-cyclical income assistance component…consistent with a worldwide fair and open trade policy." The body also reaffirmed its support of regional dairy compacts, including the expired Northeast Dairy Compact and the proposed Southern States Compact.

Asserting that protecting the nation's food supply "should be a top priority," delegates said the government should "strengthen existing capabilities to prevent and respond to acts of bioterrorism and eco-terrorism," and stringently enforce anti-terrorism laws.

On the biotechnology front, delegates approved policy language saying that farmers should not have to pay for the testing of crops for biotech components. Delegates also urged that "adequate testing methods must be made available for all commercialized crops" to protect producers from liability, and that such testing be "accepted by end users." They also said producers should not be held liable "for off-farm introduction" of biotech matter.

Delegates reaffirmed Farm Bureau's position to reform the federal tax system, calling for a national retail sales tax to replace the federal income tax. They again called for the permanent elimination of the death tax.

In other action, delegates called for elimination of requirements for specific licenses and the prohibition on third-country financing for agricultural sales to sanctioned countries. To help producers maintain an adequate labor supply, delegates adopted a policy allowing a "one-time adjustment of status for illegal workers currently working in agriculture in the United States."

In other election news, state Farm Bureau Presidents Barry Bushue of Oregon, Don Villwock of Indiana and Terry McClure of Ohio were newly elected to the AFBF board of directors.

Kerry Gibson of Utah was elected to head the AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Committee.

Frances Price of South Carolina was elected to serve on the American Farm Bureau Women's Committee.

Contacts:

Mace Thornton 847-685-8755 macet@fb.org

Don Lipton 202-484-3624 donl@fb.org

This page was last modified Wed Jan 09, 2002 at 01:09 pm