Delegates at the 87th American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting cast a resounding vote in support of extending the economic safety net of the current farm bill until a new world trade agreement is reached to increase foreign market access for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

“Our members continue to say they are willing to negotiate about lower domestic support payments if, in exchange, they can secure increased opportunities to sell their products overseas,” explained AFBF President Bob Stallman. “However, as this vote shows, they are not willing to unilaterally disarm. Any revamping of the farm safety net must be done in concert with a WTO agreement that reduces tariffs and grants market access, increases tariff rate quotas, reduces trade-distorting domestic supports and eliminates export subsidies.”

AFBF also reaffirmed its opposition to farm payment limits, and the delegates supported creation of “an energy escalator clause” in farm policy due to the impact of higher fuel and fertilizer costs are having on farm profitability.

“Farmers are feeling the pain of rising input costs, including energy prices, and fertilizer prices that have tripled in just the last few years,” said Stallman. “They are clearly looking for relief from costs pressures, which they cannot pass along to their customers.”

Also on the energy issue, the delegates voted to support the “25 by 25” vision stating that agriculture, by 2025, will produce 25 percent of the nation’s energy supply while continuing to produce abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber. They also urged Congress and the administration to enact policies to increase the domestic fuel supply by increasing refining capacity and authorizing development of energy resources in the Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

On animal identification, the delegates voted to support a mandatory animal ID program.

Reflecting the increased concern about eminent domain since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that state and local governments could take property from private landowners for economic development purposes, the delegates strengthened policy that said eminent domain should not be used to take property for any private use.

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Website