1

PolicyoftheNationalFarmersUnion

Enactedbydelegatestothe115thanniversaryconvention

SanDiego,CA

March5-8,2017

NationalFarmersUnionMissionandVisionStatements

Mission–Toadvocatefortheeconomicandsocialwell-being,andqualityoflifeoffamily

farmers,ranchers,fishermenandconsumersandtheircommunitiesthrougheducation,

cooperationandlegislation.NationalFarmersUnionadvocatesforthesustainableproduction

offood,fiber,feedandfuel.

Vision–NationalFarmersUnionwillcontinuetobetherespected,influentialand

independentnationalvoiceandcoalitionleaderthatbridgesfamilyproducersandconsumers

onbehalfofavibrantandgrowinggrassrootsmembership.

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CONTENTS

Preamble....................................................................................................................................................................13

ArticleI–AgriculturalProgramsfortheFamilyFarm..........................................................................15

A. GeneralProgramProvisions................................................................................................................16

1. MeasuresofEconomicEquity........................................................................................................16

2. DirectingBenefitProtectiontoFamilyFarms.........................................................................16

3. ProvidingaSafetyNet........................................................................................................................18

4. FarmViabilityProgramsforFamilyFarms..............................................................................18

5. LocalFood&FoodSystems.............................................................................................................19

6. BeginningFarmersandRanchers(alsoseeArticleIV.A-FarmServiceAgency(FSA)

CreditPrograms)...........................................................................................................................................20

7. UrbanFarming......................................................................................................................................21

B. Dairy,Livestock,AquacultureandFishing....................................................................................22

1. DairyPolicy.............................................................................................................................................22

i. DomesticDairyPolicy.................................................................................................................22

ii. MarketOrderReform..................................................................................................................23

iii. MilkProteinConcentrate/Ultra-FilteredMilkProducts(alsoseeArticleI.D–

LabelingofCommoditiesandCommodityProducts)..................................................................24

iv. ConsumerProtection(alsoseeArticleI.D–LabelingofCommoditiesand

CommodityProducts)..............................................................................................................................25

v. RawDairy.........................................................................................................................................25

2. LivestockPolicy....................................................................................................................................26

i. AnimalWelfare...............................................................................................................................26

ii. LivestockandLivestockProductImports(alsoseeArticleIII–International

Trade,Cooperation,andtheFamilyFarm).....................................................................................27

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iii. ConsumerProtection(alsoseeArticleX.J–FoodSafetyandArticleI.D–Labeling

ofCommoditiesandCommodityProducts).....................................................................................27

iv. LivestockHealth............................................................................................................................28

v. StateAnimalIdentification........................................................................................................31

vi. NationalAnimalIdentification................................................................................................31

vii. Aquaculture,FishingandAlternativeLivestock..............................................................32

1. MarineAquaculture.................................................................................................................33

2. SustainableWorkingWaterfrontsandFisheries........................................................33

C. LabelingofCommoditiesandCommodityProducts.................................................................35

1. Country-of-OriginLabeling..............................................................................................................35

2. LabelingofFoodProducts...............................................................................................................36

3. NutritionLabeling...............................................................................................................................37

D. Commodities...............................................................................................................................................37

1. Wheat,CoarseGrains,Oilseeds,Rice,andCotton..................................................................37

2. OtherProgramCommodities(wool,mohair,honey,pulsecrops,etc.).......................38

3. Tobacco....................................................................................................................................................39

4. Peanuts.....................................................................................................................................................40

5. Sugar..........................................................................................................................................................40

6. TreeFarmsandForestry..................................................................................................................40

7. SpecialtyCrops......................................................................................................................................41

8. Honey/Pollination...............................................................................................................................42

9. Value-AddedandMinimallyProcessedFoods........................................................................43

10. Value-AddedUsesofFarmProducts....................................................................................43

E. Agri-Tourism..............................................................................................................................................43

F. RiskManagement.....................................................................................................................................43

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1. LivestockProducerAssistance......................................................................................................43

2. CropInsurance......................................................................................................................................44

3. NationalFoodLiabilityInsuranceProgram.............................................................................47

4. RiskManagementEducation..........................................................................................................47

G. FarmProgramAdministration...........................................................................................................48

1. Farmer-ElectedCommittees...........................................................................................................48

2. NaturalResourcesConservationService..................................................................................48

3. ImprovedMarketingMechanisms................................................................................................49

H. SpecialAgriculturalPoliciesandServices.....................................................................................49

1. FarmLabor.............................................................................................................................................49

2. SafetyofFarmersandFarmWorkers.........................................................................................50

3. StorableCommoditiesProducerProtection............................................................................51

i. FederalWarehouseAct...............................................................................................................51

ii. AgMerchandiserorSupplierBankruptciesandReceiverships................................52

iii. CommodityBasis...........................................................................................................................52

4. AgriculturalCensus.............................................................................................................................52

5. NationalAgriculturalStatisticsService(NASS)......................................................................52

6. CommodityResearchandPromotionPrograms....................................................................53

7. GrainStandards....................................................................................................................................55

8. GrainInspection...................................................................................................................................56

9. USDA’sInformationMandate.........................................................................................................56

10. NationalOrganicStandards(alsoseeArticleI.D.–LabelingofCommoditiesand

CommodityProducts)...................................................................................................................................56

11. PlantBreeding................................................................................................................................57

12. PlantGeneticResources.............................................................................................................58

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ArticleII–FamilyFarmersandTechnology..............................................................................................59

A. GeneticallyModifiedOrganismsandBiotechnology................................................................59

B. AgriculturalTechnology........................................................................................................................61

C. InformationCollectionandProtection...........................................................................................61

D. UnmannedAerialVehicles(Drones)................................................................................................62

ArticleIII–AgricultureCompetitionandConcentration.....................................................................63

A. CompetitionandAntitrust....................................................................................................................63

B. LivestockMarketReform......................................................................................................................65

C. PoultryMarketReform..........................................................................................................................65

D. ProductionContracting.........................................................................................................................66

E. Profit-TakingbyManufacturersofFarmInputs.........................................................................67

ArticleIV–InternationalTrade,Cooperation,andtheFamilyFarm..............................................69

A. AgriculturalTradeNegotiations........................................................................................................69

B. TradePromotionAuthority(Fast-Track)......................................................................................72

C. FairandTransparentTradePractices............................................................................................73

D. HealthandInspectionStandardsforFoodandFiberImports.............................................73

E. ChinaTrade.................................................................................................................................................74

F. InternationalFoodAssistance............................................................................................................75

G. WorldFarmersOrganization(WFO)...............................................................................................75

H. PoliciesTowardDevelopingNations...............................................................................................76

I. FarmersandFarmYouthEducationalExchangePrograms..................................................76

ArticleV–CreditandtheFamilyFarm........................................................................................................77

A. FarmServiceAgency(FSA)CreditPrograms..............................................................................78

B. FarmCreditSystem.................................................................................................................................79

C. CooperativeFinancing...........................................................................................................................81

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ArticleVI–FarmCooperativesandtheFamilyFarm............................................................................82

A. CooperativeLaw.......................................................................................................................................82

B. RochdalePrinciples.................................................................................................................................82

C. AdditionalPrinciples..............................................................................................................................83

D. TeamworkofFarmersUnionandCooperatives.........................................................................86

E. CHS..................................................................................................................................................................86

ArticleVII–WaterandLandPolicy,ConservationandtheFamilyFarm.....................................87

A. ObjectivesofaComprehensiveLandPolicy.................................................................................87

B. ProhibitionofForeignOwnershipofFarmland,CommercialFishingPrivilegesand

Disclosure.............................................................................................................................................................88

C. LandTransfer.............................................................................................................................................88

D. PublicLands................................................................................................................................................89

E. NationalGrazingLandsCoalition......................................................................................................92

F. ForestHealth..............................................................................................................................................92

G. WaterQuantityandQuality.................................................................................................................92

1. WaterQuantityDistribution...........................................................................................................92

2. WaterQualityProtection..................................................................................................................94

3. CleanWaterAct....................................................................................................................................96

4. DroughtMonitoring............................................................................................................................97

H. AirQuality....................................................................................................................................................98

I. AnimalFeedingOperations(AFOs)..................................................................................................98

J. ConfinedAnimalFeedingOperations(CAFOs)...........................................................................98

K. PesticideRegulation.............................................................................................................................100

L. FertilizerRegulations..........................................................................................................................101

M. InvasiveSpeciesControl................................................................................................................102

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N. PrescribedBurning...............................................................................................................................103

O. LandownerRights.................................................................................................................................103

P. EminentDomain(alsoseeArticleVIII.F–IRSTaxCode1031Exchanges)....................104

Q. Zoning....................................................................................................................................................105

R. ClimateChangeandCarbonSequestration................................................................................106

S. Conservation...........................................................................................................................................107

1. LandRetirementandEasementPrograms............................................................................110

2. ConservationReserveProgram(CRP).....................................................................................110

3. NationalBufferStripInitiative....................................................................................................112

4. ConservationStewardshipProgram(CSP)............................................................................113

5. SodbusterandSwampbusterProvisions................................................................................113

6. Wetlands...............................................................................................................................................113

T. SustainableAgriculture......................................................................................................................115

U. PredatorandRodentControl...........................................................................................................115

V. EndangeredSpecies.............................................................................................................................115

W. ArmyCorpsofEngineers...............................................................................................................116

X. Nuclear,RadioactiveandToxicWaste.........................................................................................116

Y. SurfaceMining........................................................................................................................................117

ArticleVIII–EnergyandtheFamilyFarm..............................................................................................118

A. EnergyObjectives..................................................................................................................................118

B. Distribution..............................................................................................................................................119

1. PetroleumSupply.............................................................................................................................119

2. ElectricityandDeregulation........................................................................................................119

3. EconomicAssistance.......................................................................................................................121

4. PublicOwnershipofPowerMarketingAdministrationandPowerGenerators...122

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5. HydroelectricPower........................................................................................................................122

6. Pipelines................................................................................................................................................122

C. DevelopmentofRenewableEnergyandFuelsfromtheFarm..........................................123

1. Priorities...............................................................................................................................................123

2. Ethanol...................................................................................................................................................127

3. RenewableFuelStandard..............................................................................................................128

4. Biodiesel................................................................................................................................................129

5. CompressedNaturalGas................................................................................................................129

6. WindEnergy........................................................................................................................................129

7. SolarEnergy........................................................................................................................................130

8. RenewableEnergyStorage...........................................................................................................130

9. CooperativeDemonstrations.......................................................................................................130

D. EnvironmentalPrecautioninEnergyProductionandUse.................................................131

1. FuelStorageTanks...........................................................................................................................131

2. WasteProducts..................................................................................................................................131

3. HydraulicFracturingandWastewaterInjection................................................................132

E. LandownerRightsinNaturalResourcesProjectDevelopment(wind,solar,fracking,

oil,etc.)................................................................................................................................................................132

ArticleIX–EconomicRegulationandtheFamilyFarm.....................................................................135

A. FederalBudgetReform.......................................................................................................................135

B. MoneyandCreditPolicy(alsoseeArticleIV–CreditandtheFamilyFarm)................135

C. BankRegulation.....................................................................................................................................136

D. CreditUnions...........................................................................................................................................136

E. EstateandGiftTaxPolicy..................................................................................................................137

F. IRSTaxCode1031Exchanges.........................................................................................................137

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G. IncomeTaxReforms............................................................................................................................138

H. Taxation.....................................................................................................................................................138

I. TaxCredit..................................................................................................................................................139

J. CommodityFutures..............................................................................................................................140

ArticleX–RuralDevelopmentandtheFamilyFarm..........................................................................142

A. RuralCommunityDevelopment.....................................................................................................142

B. Transportation.......................................................................................................................................143

1. U.S.HighwayTrustFund...............................................................................................................144

2. TruckTransportation......................................................................................................................144

3. RailTransportation..........................................................................................................................145

i. RailService....................................................................................................................................145

ii. CertificatesofTransportation(COT).................................................................................147

iii. Safety...............................................................................................................................................148

C. PortDevelopment,ShippingPolicy...............................................................................................148

D. AirTransportation................................................................................................................................149

E. RuralUtilities..........................................................................................................................................149

1. TelephoneServices..........................................................................................................................149

2. ElectricServices.................................................................................................................................149

3. Telecommunications.......................................................................................................................150

4. RuralAccesstoTechnologyandInformation.......................................................................150

F. SmallBusinessDevelopment...........................................................................................................151

1. IndustrialDevelopmentBonds...................................................................................................151

2. SmallBusinessPolicy......................................................................................................................151

3. EnterpriseFacilitation....................................................................................................................151

ArticleXI–QualityofLifeinRuralAmerica...........................................................................................153

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A. HealthCare...............................................................................................................................................153

1. HealthCareCoverage,AccessandCare..................................................................................153

2. PrescriptionDrugs...........................................................................................................................155

3. MedicareandMedicaid..................................................................................................................155

4. Veterans’Rights.................................................................................................................................156

B. Education..................................................................................................................................................156

1. PublicResearch(alsoseeArticleVIII.J–CommodityFutures).......................................159

2. NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture............................................................................160

C. SocialSecurity.........................................................................................................................................160

D. PeoplewithDisabilities......................................................................................................................161

E. Employment:ANationalPriority...................................................................................................161

F. ImmigrationPolicy...............................................................................................................................162

G. ExpandingOpportunitiesforSeniorCitizens............................................................................163

H. FoodandNutritionPrograms..........................................................................................................164

1. AdministrationofFoodandNutritionPrograms................................................................164

2. FoodAssistancePrograms............................................................................................................165

3. ChildNutritionPrograms..............................................................................................................166

I. NutritionMonitoring(alsoseeArticleI.D–LabelingofCommoditiesandCommodity

Products)............................................................................................................................................................166

J. FoodSafety(alsoseeArticleIII.D–HealthandInspectionStandardsforFoodand

FiberImportsandArticleI.D–LabelingofCommoditiesandCommodityProducts)..........167

1. RegulatoryAuthority.......................................................................................................................167

2. FoodSafetyStandards....................................................................................................................167

3. InspectionofPerishableCommodities....................................................................................169

4. Agri-Terrorism...................................................................................................................................169

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K. FoodWaste...............................................................................................................................................170

L. WorldFoodDay.....................................................................................................................................170

M. Housing.................................................................................................................................................170

N. LiabilityInsurance................................................................................................................................171

O. ConsumerProtection...........................................................................................................................171

P. CampaignFinanceandElections....................................................................................................171

1. CampaignFinance.............................................................................................................................171

2. ElectionsandElectedOfficials....................................................................................................172

Q. U.S.FreedomsandLiberties.........................................................................................................173

R. PostalService..........................................................................................................................................173

S. RuralEmergencyServicesandManagementPlanning........................................................174

T. VotingDistricts.......................................................................................................................................174

1. Redistricting........................................................................................................................................174

2. StateLegislativeDistricts..............................................................................................................175

ArticleXII–FamilyFarmersandTheirOrganization.........................................................................176

A. EducationalActivities..........................................................................................................................176

1. SeminarsandWorkshops.............................................................................................................176

2. FarmersUnionYouthPrograms.................................................................................................177

3. FarmersUnionYoungFarmerProgram.................................................................................177

4. FarmersUnionEducationCenter..............................................................................................178

B. Communications....................................................................................................................................178

C. FarmersUnionLegislativeBudgetFund.....................................................................................178

D. PoliticalEffectiveness..........................................................................................................................178

E. MembershipExpansion......................................................................................................................179

F. MembershipBudgetInformation...................................................................................................179

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G. FarmersUnionRelatedServices.....................................................................................................179

H. CooperationwithReligiousOrganizations................................................................................180

I. CooperationwithOtherOrganizations........................................................................................180

FamilyFarmingandCrisisRelief–2017SpecialOrderofBusiness............................................181

FamilyFarmingandDairy–2017SpecialOrderofBusiness.........................................................182

FamilyFarmingandFarmBills–2017SpecialOrderofBusiness...............................................184

FamilyFarmingandExpandedHigherEthanolBlendUtilization–2017SpecialOrderof

Business..................................................................................................................................................................186

FamilyFarmingandLeadingtheWayonClimateChange–2017SpecialOrderofBusiness

.....................................................................................................................................................................................188

FamilyFarmingandTradePolicy–2017SpecialOrderofBusiness...........................................189

Glossary...................................................................................................................................................................190

INDEX 204

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PREAMBLE1

We,themembersofNationalFarmersUnion,inthefollowingpolicystatement,striveto2

articulatethefundamentalprinciplesofafood,fiberandenergypolicyessentialtoournation3

andtoday’sworld.Thisissuetranscendseverysocial,economic,environmental,and4

geographicboundaryofourplanet.5

ThegoalofNFUistoprotectandenhancetheeconomicwell-beingandqualityoflifefor6

familyfarmers,ranchers,fishers,andourlocalcommunities.Ourexperiencesasfamily7

farmers,ranchers,fishers,andthoseconcernedwiththesurvivalofproductivefamily-oriented8

agricultureprovideuswithauniqueandqualifiedperspectivetomakemeaningful9

contributionstothisissue.10

TheFarmersUnionsymbol,atriangleconstructedwitheducationatitsbaseandcompleted11

withcooperationandlegislationonitssides,representsastructurethattakesonmore12

importancethaneverbefore.Educationisnotonlyforouryouth,butalsoforadults,families13

andourseniors.Itaffordsustheopportunitytoshareandlearnfrombothyoungandold.14

Theeducationalprocessmustextendbeyondourfarmsandreachouttoallconsumers,as15

wellasacrossbordersandoceans.Sharinginformationisimportant,butsharingourvalues,16

concerns,andspiritisofgreatersignificance.17

ThegoalsofFarmersUnionhavegrownoutofourunderstandingofGod,nature,andthe18

loveofourcountry,withrespectforthepastandvisionforthefuture.Ourgoalsarenourished19

throughthetruthandrightnessoftheidealsexpressedintheDeclarationofIndependence,the20

ConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesanditsBillofRights.WeaffirmourfaithinabenevolentGod,21

whosegracehasbestoweduponusimmenselyfertileresources,andwhosejusticedemands22

stewardship.23

Woventhroughoutthisdocumentisasenseofmoralandethicalvaluesthatfamilyfarmers24

embraceasweassumetheresponsibilitiesthatarepartofeveryacreofground,dropofwater,25

animal,plantoranyofthemultitudeofresourcesentrustedtoourcare.Wearealsovery26

cognizantoftheneedtoextendbeyondourfencerowsandtownshipstoensurethesegiftsare27

sharedandnotexploitedorwasted.28

Werecognizetheinvaluablecontributionsofstewardshipandexpertiseofferedby29

indigenouspeopleandmultigenerationalfarmersaswellasallfarmerswhoembraceand30

perpetuatehistoricallyrootedandtraditionalapproachestofarmingandfishing.31

14

Thefamilyfarmsystemofagriculturalproductioncanprovideopportunitiesforindividual1

enterprisetoallfamiliesinoursociety.Thissystemachieveseconomicandsocialstability,as2

wellassoil,waterandenvironmentalstewardshipofournaturalresourcesandunparalleled3

productionefficiency.Wecannotchangeorimprovethepastbutwillproactivelyadvance,with4

astrongvisionforthefuture,thebestinterestsoftoday’sfamily-orientedagriculture.5

Weacknowledgethatfamilyfarmersemployawidevarietyofphilosophiesandpractices.6

Ourresponsibilityistobeinclusiveandservealltypesoffamilyfarmsinlegislative,7

educational,andcooperativeareas.8

Thelossoffamilyfarmsandotherindependentlyownedbusinessesisnotinevitable.We9

believetheacceleratedmarchtowardaverticallyintegratedproductionsystemmustbe10

reversed.Thisrequiresactiontoenforceandenhanceantitrustandcompetitionlaws,11

strengthentheregulatorysystemandrevitalizeindependentlyownedbusinessesand12

competitivemarkets.13

Parityisthecornerstoneofourpolicy.Ourdefinitionofparityexpandsbeyondthe14

simpleeconomicdefinition.Webelievethatitshouldencompassasenseofbalancethat15

notonlydiminisheshunger,butalsofosterspeaceandjustice.16

Weremainwhollydedicatedtothestrengtheningofthefamilyfarmsystemandfarmer17

cooperatives.Theessenceofthecooperativemovement–farmersworkingtogetherforour18

mutualbenefit–isthespiritthatmotivatesFarmersUnionactivity.Weviewattemptsto19

restrictfarmer-ownedand–controlledcooperativesasanassaultonfarmersthemselves,and20

wewillvigorouslydefendtheCapper-VolsteadAct.Familyfarmershaveavaluabletoolin21

workingtogetherinfarmer-ownedand–controlledcooperatives.Theyareessentialtoour22

economicwell-beingandsuccess.23

Cooperationalsocomesfromknowledgeaswellasrespectforotherpeopleandcultures.24

Ourspiritofcooperationmustcontinuetogrowandnothavelimits.Ourchallengeistotake25

thisknowledgeandspiritandincorporateitintomeaningfulpolicythroughlegislationonlocal,26

stateandnationallevels.27

Thisdocumentisnotacollectionofwords,butananthologyofthespiritofthehundredsof28

thousandsoffamilyfarmers,ranchers,fishersandtheiradvocatesthatmakeupour29

organization.Wededicatethisdocument,alongwithourenergyandefforts,tobringabout30

long-termmeaningfulpolicythatidentifiesourcommonthreadandutilizesthatenergyforthe31

commongood. 32

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ARTICLEI–AGRICULTURALPROGRAMSFORTHEFAMILYFARM1

Afamilyfarmorstructuredfamilyfarmisoperatedbyafamily,withthefamilyproviding2

thebaseofthelaborneededforthefarmingoperation,assumingtheeconomicrisk,and3

makingthemanagementdecisions.4

Thefamilyfarmisthekeystoneofafree,progressive,democraticnationalsociety,aswell5

asastrongAmerica,andisthebasisofasafe,secureandstablefoodsystem.Avertically6

integratedand/ormultinationalgrainandfoodconglomerateisnotafamilyfarm.7

Thefuturecontrolandownershipofagricultureisafundamentalissuefacingournation8

andtheworld.Nationalfarmpolicymustprovidedirectionwithanemphasisonprofitable9

farmcommoditypricestoensurethatcontrolandresponsibilityofagricultureisvestedwithin10

thefamilyfarm.Thedeclineinthenumberoffamily-sizedcommercialfarmsmustbereversed.11

Thefamilyfarmsystemofagriculturalproductionistrulysustainable.Sustainableagriculture12

integratesthreemaingoals–environmentalhealth,economicprofitabilityandviability,and13

socialeconomicequity.Webelievefarmersengagedinsustainableagriculturesetoutto14

protecttheenvironment,improvetheirqualityoflifeandenhancethecommunitiesinwhich15

theylive.Programsthatencouragesustainableagriculturethroughdiversifiedproduction,16

improvedmarketingstrategies,andenhancedvalue-addedopportunitiescanbekeysto17

reversingthistrend.Anotherimportantaspectofreversingthedeclineinthesefarmsisto18

encouragenewfarmerstoentertheagricultureindustry.Farmsandconsumersneedstability19

andfairnessinafarmprogram.Farmers,ruralcommunitiesandconsumersareatthemercyof20

amarketplacethatisincreasinglydominatedbyverticallyintegrated,multinationalgrainand21

foodconglomerates.22

Familyfarmshavetherighttoafairandcompetitiveenvironmentintheirpursuittobe23

financiallyviable.Wesupportplansthatprotectnetfarmincomeforfamilyfarmers.24

Wecommitourselvestobeinggoodstewardsofthelandandresourcesbyworkingtoward25

innovativeapproachesthatmovebeyondtheparametersofpastfarmprogramsandseekto26

bridgephilosophicaldifferenceswithintheagriculturalcommunityandournation’spolitical27

structures.28

Atthecoreofourwillingnesstoembracenewagriculturalpolicydirectionsisthe29

fundamentalneedtodirectthebenefitsoffederalagriculturalpoliciestotheproductionlevels30

offamilyfarmandranchoperations.31

16

Choiceanddiversityofagriculturalpracticeshavealwaysbeenessentialtothesuccessand1

prosperityofagricultureintheUnitedStates.Asadvancescontinuetooccurinallagricultural2

practices,NFUcallsonallpeopleaffectedbyagriculturetobemindfuloftheirneighborsand3

showmutualrespecttowardtheirfarmingpracticesandproductionchoices.Sixmajorgoalsto4

improveagriculturallegislationforfamilyfarmersare:5

1. Profitability:toenhanceandprotectnetfamilyfarmincomeandprovideasafetynet;6

2. Accountability:toreducegovernmentcostsandpreventactivitiesthatarecounter-7

productivetotheintentoftheprograms;8

3. Directedbenefits:todirectbenefitstowardfamilyfarmingoperations;9

4. Simplicity:torequirelessbureaucracyandredtape;10

5. Conservation:tomaintainandenhanceournaturalresources;and11

6. Diversity:tomaintainopportunitiesforfamilyfarmers,regardlessofcropand12

managementchoice.13

A. GENERALPROGRAMPROVISIONS14

1. MEASURESOFECONOMICEQUITY15

Forgenerations,farmingandranchingincomehaslaggedbehindtheoverallprosperity16

ofthenation.Thenationalfarmpolicybasedon“parity”wasintendedtocreatetoolsthat17

wouldbalancethisinequityofagriculturalincomecomparedtotheaverageincomein18

othersegmentsofsociety.LikeothereconomicmeasuressuchastheConsumerPriceIndex19

andtheCostofLivingIndex,aneconomicyardstickforagricultureisessential.“Parity”20

pricesprovideareasonablestandardformeasuringtherelativeeconomichealthof21

agriculture,andweurgecontinuedsupportofthecalculationofan“AgriculturalParity22

Index.”NFUcontinuestobeuniqueinitsunwaveringsupportforthismeasurementof23

economicequity.24

Wesupportindexingfarmprogramsupportlevelstoreflectchangesinthecostof25

production.Westronglysupportnationalfarmpolicyprovidingareturnofthecostof26

productionplusanopportunityforreasonableprofitforfarmersandranchers.27

2. DIRECTINGBENEFITPROTECTIONTOFAMILYFARMS28

Characteristically,afamilyfarmisownedand/oroperatedbyafarmfamilywiththe29

familyprovidingthebaseofthelaborneededforthefarmingoperation,assumingthe30

economicrisk,makingmostofthemanagementdecisions,anddependingsubstantiallyon31

agricultureforalivelihood.32

17

Familyfarmsareateconomicriskascropandlivestockproductionandlandownership1

arebeingconcentratedintothehandsoffewerandfewerlarger-than-family-sized2

corporatefarmunits.3

Theprimaryobjectivesofnationalagriculturalpolicyshouldbetoenablefarmersto4

significantlyincreasenetfarmincome,improvethequalityofrurallife,andincreasethe5

numberoffamilyfarmers,sofarmersmaycontinuetoprovideareliablesupplyoffoodand6

fiberandserveasstewardsofournation’sresources.Ruralcommunitiesarericherand7

moreviablewithmorefarmers,evenifthereisthesameamountofagriculturalproduction.8

Webelievepaymentlimitsshouldberealisticandmeaningful.Thismeans:9

i. Thedefinitionofapersonwhoisactivelyengagedinproductionagriculture10

needstoremainstrongandrequireactivepersonalmanagementandactive11

personallaborintheactualfarmingoperation;12

ii. Paymentsbetransparentanddirectlyattributabletoapersonwhomeetsthe13

criteriaofactivelyengaged;and14

iii. Pricesupports,togetherwithrealisticoverallper-programandvolume-based15

commodityprogramlimitations,areeffectivetoolstoassistindirectingbenefits16

tofamilyfarmproducers.17

Wesupportdirectingfarmprogrambenefitstotheproductionlevelsoffamilyfarm18

operatorsinsuchawayastoreducegovernmentcostswhilefurtheringthesustainability19

ofourfamilyfarms,ourruralcommunities,andournaturalresources.20

Directedbenefitprovisionsshouldinclude:21

i. Thefamily-sizedfarmshouldbeprotectedfromthecutsscheduledunderthe22

termsofanyfuturebudgetacts;and23

ii. Prohibitionofartificialsubdivisionoffarmstoavoidlimitsshouldbeenforced.24

Whileweopposedecouplingfederalfarmprogrampaymentsfromplantingdecisions25

andbelievethatproduction-orientedbenefitsarethemostviablepublicpolicyalternatives26

availabletodaytorespondtothecrisisfacingfamilyfarmagriculture,werecognizesome27

farmers,byvirtueoftheirenterpriseandchoiceofharvest,cannotbenefitfrompayments28

unlessharvestoccursmechanically.Therefore,wesupporttheopportunityforallour29

membersandproducerstochoosefarmprogramsthatbestfittheiroperation.30

Wesupportfuturefarmpolicywhichrecognizesourgeographicaldifferencesand31

providesforflexibilityregardlessofthetypeofagricultureoperation.32

18

3. PROVIDINGASAFETYNET1

NFUurgesCongresstogivethesecretaryofagriculturetheauthoritytoimplement2

commodityloanprogramswithloanratessetatalevelthatatleastequalstheregionalcost3

ofproductionasmeasuredbytheEconomicResearchService.4

Toprovideasafetynet,wemusttakeactionto:5

i. Improveandfullyfundapermanentdisasterprogram;6

ii. Improvecommodityloanrates,andextendtheloanperiodfromninemonthsto7

18months.Aproducershouldhavetheoptiontoforfeitafterninemonths;8

iii. Improveandexpandriskmanagementtools(seeArticleI.G.2-CropInsurance);9

iv. Adequatelyfundlivestockcompensationprogramstopreventthesell-offofbase10

breedingherdsoftheUnitedStatesintheeventofadisasterdeclaration;11

v. Establisharegionalizedcostofproductionfloorunderdairyprices;12

vi. Establishafarmer-ownedStrategicNationalFood,FeedandBiofuelsFeedstock13

Reserve;14

vii. ExpandtheFoodSecurityCommodityReserveProgram;15

viii. Implementaneffectiveinventorymanagementprogramforallfarm16

commodities;17

ix. Enhanceafarmstoragefacilityloanprogram;18

x. ContinueandsupportaneffectiveConservationReserveProgram(CRP);and19

xi. Limittheauthorityofthesecretaryofagriculturetotakediscretionaryactions20

thatwouldresultinlowerfarmincome.21

4. FARMVIABILITYPROGRAMSFORFAMILYFARMS22

Congressshouldcontinuetosupportprogramstoimprovetheprofitabilityoffarmsand23

increaseopportunitiesforfamilyfarmersandranchers.Wesupportrevitalizinglocaland24

regionalfoodandenergysystems,increasingwealthandasset-buildinginrural25

communitiesandencouragingentrepreneurshipandinnovationinfarmingandranchingby26

fundingprogramsthataddress:27

i. Marketdevelopmentandpromotion;28

ii. Productdevelopment/differentiationandpromotion;29

iii. Consumereducation;30

iv. Businessplanning;31

v. Alternativeownershipmodelsandstructures;32

19

vi. Localandregionalinfrastructureneeds;1

vii. Localandregionalfoodsecurityneeds;2

viii. Localandregionalenergyneeds;and3

ix. Attractingnewandbeginningfarmers.4

5. LOCALFOOD&FOODSYSTEMS5

NFUsupportsallinitiativesaimedatregionalizingourfoodsystem.Thismayinclude6

encouragingthedevelopmentofregionalfoodhubs,incentivizingthosefarmswhocommit7

togrowingnon-commodityfoodcropsandeasing/simplifyingtherestrictionsonsmall8

meatpackerstoprocessmeatforretailsale,aswellasthefarmerswhoselldirect-to-9

consumerandinstitutionsthatpurchasetheirproductsforresale,andeducating10

consumers.Wesupporttheexpansionofagriculturaloperationsinurbanandperi-urban11

areas.12

Thelocalfoodmovementhasmanybenefitsincluding:13

i. Enhancedmarketsfortheproductsthatmanymembers’farmsproduce;14

ii. Theabilityforfarmerstocapturealargershareoftheretailfooddollar;15

iii. OpportunitiestoemployandengagemoreAmericans,inmoreregions,inthe16

pursuitofagriculture;17

iv. Keepingconsumerdollarscirculatingineachrespectiveregion,andtothefamily18

farmstherein;19

v. Reconnectingconsumerstothefoodtheyeatandtheirfamilies;20

vi. Reducingtransportationcosts;21

vii. Providingfresher,healthierfoodproducts,withareducedneedfor22

transportation,long-termstorage,processingortreatment;23

viii. Foodsecurity:encouragingfoodproductiontobespreadacrossthecountry;and24

ix. Allowingformoreprofitableandsustainablemethodsofagriculturetobe25

employed.26

Wesupport:27

i. USDA’spromotionofbuyinglocalandregionalagriculturalproducts,suchasthe28

“KnowYourFarmer,KnowYourFood”initiative,asameanstoprovidenewand29

largermarketsforsmallerspecialtycropfarmers.Localwillbedefinedbythe30

consumertobetheimmediatearea,state,orregion,butmustbeU.S.-produced;31

ii. Promotionoffarm-to-schoolandfarm-to-institutionprograms;32

20

iii. Promotionoffarmersmarketsandcommunity-supportedagriculture(CSA);1

iv. Regionalfoodhubdistributioncenters;2

v. Thepurchaseofsurplusfruitsandvegetablesforfederalfoodaidprograms;3

vi. Removalofbarriersandincentivessothatfarmersmarketsandfarmstandscan4

redeemfederal,stateandlocalnutritionbenefits;5

vii. GeographicallydisadvantagedprovisionsforU.S.areasnotincludedinmain6

farmprograms;7

viii. Localseedproducerswhoproduceregionallyadaptedseed;and8

ix. Improvedaccesstoreasonablypricedliabilityinsuranceforsmalllocal-market9

anddirect-marketingproducers.10

6. BEGINNINGFARMERSANDRANCHERS(ALSOSEEARTICLEIV.A-FARMSERVICE11

AGENCY(FSA)CREDITPROGRAMS)12

WerecognizethattheaverageageofaU.S.farmercontinuestoincreaseandamajority13

ofthenation’sfarmlandwillchangehandsinthecomingyearsduetotheagingfarmer14

population.Theabilityofthenextgenerationoffamilyfarmerstocontinuetoproducefood15

andfiberiscriticaltotheeconomy,health,andsecurityofournationandlocal16

communities.Inordertoaddressthiscriticalconcern,thenecessaryprogramsmustbein17

placeandfundedinordertomeettheuniqueneedsandbarriersfacingbeginningfarmers18

andranchers,withspecialemphasisonreturningmilitaryveterans,andensurethatthey19

canenterandsustainfarmingorranchingasaviablelivelihood.20

Wesupport:21

i. TheBeginningFarmerandRancherIndividualDevelopmentAccountsprogram;22

ii. TheloancategorywithinFarmServiceAgencythatdirectsoperatingloansto23

provideflexiblecapitalthroughoperatingmicroloansforbeginningfarmersand24

ranchers;25

iii. Maintainingtheloanset-asidewithinthedirectandguaranteedFarmService26

Agencyloanprogramforbeginningfarmersandrancherswhilereducingthe27

farmmanagementexperiencerequirementfrom3yearsto2years;28

iv. Increasingthedownpaymentloanprogramlimit;29

v. Incentivesand/ortaxcreditstolandownerstoleaseorselltobeginningfarmers30

orranchers(alsoseeArticleVI.C-LandTransfer);31

21

vi. Cost-sharedifferentialsandfundingset-asidesforbeginningfarmersand1

ranchersintheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP),Conservation2

StewardshipProgram(CSP),andotherprograms;3

vii. Includingapriorityforprojectsbenefitingbeginningfarmersandranchers4

withinValue-AddedGrantProgramandfosteringnewentrepreneurial5

opportunitiesforbeginningfarmersandrancherswithintheRuralDevelopment6

grantsandloansprograms;7

viii. Continuationandfundingprogramsthatprovideeducationandtrainingto8

beginningfarmersandranchers,includingforagriculturalrehabilitationand9

vocationaltrainingprogramsformilitaryveterans;10

ix. TheRiskManagementAgency(RMA)ensuringfairaccesstocropandrevenue11

insurancebybeginningfarmersandranchersincludinganadditionalcrop12

insurancesubsidy;13

x. NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculturesupportingresearch,education,and14

extensiononissuesrelatedtobeginningfarmersandranchers,farmtransition,15

andfarmentry;16

xi. Thereauthorizationandfullfundingofprogramspreviouslyadministeredby17

theNationalSustainableAgricultureInformationServicetoserveasaresource18

forbeginningfarmersandranchers;19

xii. TheestablishmentofafundingpriorityforthefederalFarmandRanchLand20

ProtectionProgramforeasementsconservingfarmlandforwhichthereisa21

generationalfarmtransferplan,easementswhichincludetheuseofanOptionto22

PurchaseatAgriculturalValueoreasementswhichoccurinconjunctionwiththe23

transferoftheconservedlandtoabeginningfarmer;and24

xiii. SpecifictrainingandeducationforstateandcountyFSAandNRCSstaffon25

helpingbeginningfarmersandranchersaccessprograms,withemphasison26

specialtycropsandalternativeenterprises.27

7. URBANFARMING28

NationalFarmersUnionrecognizesurbanagricultureasanimportantpartofmeeting29

risingfooddemands,supplyingeasieraccesstohighlynutritiousvegetablesandfruits,30

reconnectingthefoodconsumerwiththefarmer,storingcarbonoutoftheearth’s31

atmosphereandalsoasanimportantnewmarketopportunityforemergingfarmers.32

22

B. DAIRY,LIVESTOCK,AQUACULTUREANDFISHING1

1. DAIRYPOLICY2

i. DomesticDairyPolicy3

WeurgeCongresstodevelopacomprehensivedairyprogramtoallowdairy4

producersacrossthenationtoreceiveaprofitablereturnontheirinvestment.5

Itshould:6

a. Encourageandenableproducerstousesustainableenvironmentalpractices;7

b. Provideahigh-quality,stablesupplyofdairyproductstoconsumers;8

c. Assistnewfarmersenteringintodairying;9

d. Balancemilksupplyanddemandthroughalong-termsupplymanagement10

program;11

e. Encouragevoluntaryproducerassessmentsforanindustry-managed12

programthatmustclearlydemonstratetheywillstabilizeandincrease13

producerprices;14

f. Prohibitmandatoryproducerassessmentsunlessitcanclearlybe15

demonstratedthattheysubstantiallyincreaseproducerincome;16

g. ProvidefullfundingoftheSchoolMilkProgramandSpecialMilkPrograms;17

h. Include100percentrealdairyproductsintheNationalSchoolLunch18

Programaswellasinschoolvendingmachines;19

i. UtilizetheCommodityCreditCorporation(CCC)tomitigatelowprices;20

j. Providetransparencyinmilkpricereporting;21

k. RequiremandatoryparticipationofprocessorsinanauditedNational22

AgriculturalStatisticsService(NASS)survey;23

l. Requiremandatoryparticipationofprocessorsinanauditedcold-storage24

report;25

m. Includedevelopmentofatransparentpricingmechanismtoreplacethe26

inadequateChicagoMercantileExchange(CME)pricingsystem;27

n. Ensureresearchandpromotionactivitiesaredirectedtowardenhancing28

incometofamilyfarmers;29

o. Provideanincentivepaymenttodomesticproducerswhoagreetovoluntary30

limits.Fundingshouldbeprovidedbythoseproducerswhoincrease31

23

productionfromthepreviousyearandproducemorethanaleveltargetedto1

family-sizedfarms;2

p. Prohibitvolumepremiums;3

q. Includemarketlossassistanceduringtimesoflowprices,withcapped4

paymentsbasedonproduction.Thecaplevelsshouldbetargetedtofamily5

farmers;6

r. Prohibitfederallegislationallowingdairyforwardcontractsthatgive7

processorsandmarketerstheabilitytopaybelowtheminimummarket8

orderprice;9

s. Includeafloorpricepolicyformilk.Thefloorpriceshouldhelpproducersin10

allregionsofthecountryandprovideforsupplymanagement.Thefloor11

priceshouldbesetatalevelthatallowsproducerstoearnafairreturnon12

theirmilkfromthemarketplace;13

t. Provideforminimumpricesthatarebasedonaformulathatreflectswhat14

consumersarepayingforalldairyproducts;15

u. RequireplantstopaytheminimumpricesestablishedbyUSDAforbutter,16

nonfatpowder,andcheddarcheese;17

v. Prohibittheuseoffluidmilkasalossleaderattheretaillevel;and18

w. RequireUSDAandCMEtostandardizelabelingandpackagingofsurplus19

dairyproducts.20

Anyfuturedairyprogramshouldinclude:21

1. Feedpriceadjusterbasedonregionalfeedprices;22

2. Federalgovernmentassistancecommensuratetolevelsconsistentwith23

othercommodities;and24

3. Acapacitymanagementmechanism.25

ii. MarketOrderReform26

Afederalordersystemshouldbemaintainedandexpandedtoincludeallareas27

withinthecontinentalUnitedStates.Anationalmilkmarketingorderandpricing28

reformshouldemphasizemaximumreturntoproducers.Transportationdifferentials,29

qualitypremiums,andusageresultinpricedisparitiesthroughouttheUnitedStates.A30

revisednationalmilkmarketingordershouldinclude:31

24

a. Apricediscoveryformulaattheproducerlevelallowingforvariablemarket1

conditions;2

b. Afloorpriceonallclassesofmilk;3

c. Priceincentivesthatreflectthevalueofallmilkcomponents;4

d. TestsforcomponentpricingthatarecheckedforaccuracybyUSDA;5

e. Anationalmakeallowancethatisadjustabletocoverprocessingand6

fortification.Thisallowanceshouldbegeneratedfromthemarket,not7

deductedfromtheestablishedpricethroughend-productpricing;8

f. Abasemakeallowancethatisadjustabletoreflectthedifferencebetween9

milkpricesandtheproducer’scostofproduction;10

g. Eliminationofblocvotingonmarketorders;11

h. Thecontinuationofthecurrentorderprovisionsfollowingthedefeatofa12

proposedchange.Ordersshouldonlybeeliminatedthroughaproducer13

referendumwithnoblocvoting;and14

i. TheestablishmentofafederalmilkmarketingorderthatincludesCalifornia15

sothatCaliforniadairyproducerpricesarebroughtinlinewithpricespaid16

inthefederalorder,whichwillbenefitalldairyproducersnationwide.17

iii. MilkProteinConcentrate/Ultra-FilteredMilkProducts(alsoseeArticleI.D–18

LabelingofCommoditiesandCommodityProducts)19

Importedcasein,milkproteinconcentrate(MPC)andultra-filtered(UF)milk20

products,blends,andfoodpreparationshavebenefitedfromasignificantloophole21

inU.S.dairytradepolicyandhavedistortedthenation’sdairymarket.Under22

currentlaw,caseinandMPCimportsarenotlimitedundertheHarmonizedTariff23

SchedulesoftheWTO.Inaddition,casein,MPC,andUFproductsarebeingusedin24

thecurrentproductionofstandardizedcheeses,althoughtheydonotmeettheU.S.25

FoodandDrugAdministration’s(FDA)definitionofmilk.26

Wesupport:27

a. MaintainingFDA’scurrentdefinitionofmilktopreventcaseinandMPCfrom28

beingusedinstandardizedcheese;29

b. Actionsthatrestricttheimportationofcasein,MPC,dairyblends,andfood30

preps;31

25

c. Properlyinformingconsumersabouttheuseofcasein,MPC/UFdairyblends1

andfoodprepsinfoodproduction,includinglabeling;2

d. Immediatepassageoflegislationtosubjectcasein,MPC,andotherdairy3

blendstoatariffratequota;4

e. Imposingstrongpenaltiesforthedairyplantsusingcaseinand/orMPCand5

dairyblendsinstandardizedcheeseproduction;6

f. Requiringanend-usecertificationonallimportsofMPC,dairyblendsand7

foodpreps;8

g. BringingatradeactionagainstnationsthataredumpingsubsidizedMPC,9

dairyblendsandfoodpreps;10

h. DisallowingMPCforhumanconsumptionuntilitmeetsthenecessary11

generallyregardedassafe(GRAS)requirements;and12

i. ProhibitinggovernmentsubsidizationoftheproductionofMPC.13

iv. ConsumerProtection(alsoseeArticleI.D–LabelingofCommoditiesand14

CommodityProducts)15

Rapidlychangingtechnologywithintheproductionofdairyproductshasledto16

consumersbeinguninformedaboutthetruenatureofalldairyproducts.We17

supportthefollowinginitiativestoensureconsumerscanmakeinformedpurchase18

decisions:19

a. StateandfederallegislationtorequireallschoolstouserBST-freemilk;20

b. RestrictingtheuseoftheRealSealtodomesticallyproduceddairyproducts21

andsubsequentenforcementofitsstandards;22

c. EducatingandpromotingtheRealSealprogramtoconsumers;23

d. Increasingthefederalstandardsforfatandsolidsinfluidmilktomeetthe24

nationalaverageofthemilkcontentproducedonU.S.farms;25

e. Requiringimportstomeetthesamehighstandardsusedfordomestically26

produceddairyproducts;and27

f. Prohibitingtheadditionofartificialsweeteners,suchasaspartame,todairy28

products.Ifallowed,theymustbelabeledassuch.29

v. RawDairy30

Wesupport:31

26

a. Theproductionandsaleofraw/unpasteurizedmilkasitprovidesamarket1

nichefordairies.Becauseofthepossiblerisksofcross-contamination,we2

recommendthatraw/unpasteurizedmilkbebottledastheproductofa3

singlesourceandwhereverpossibleatthephysicallocationofthatsource.4

Single-sourcebottlingwillkeepintactthechainofresponsibilityandgreatly5

aidintrackingpossiblecasesofcontamination;6

b. Policies,practicesandstandardsforresponsibleraw/unpasteurizedmilk7

productionfordairyproducersthatchoosetoproduceraw/unpasteurized8

milk(orraw/unpasteurizeddairyproducts)forhumanconsumption;9

c. Equalaccesstoraw/unpasteurizedmilk(and/orrawdairyproducts)for10

humanconsumptionforallconsumersthatchoosetoconsume11

raw/unpasteurizedmilk;and12

d. ProducersconformingtoGradeAproductionspecifications.13

2. LIVESTOCKPOLICY14

i. AnimalWelfare15

Wesupport:16

a. Producers’rightstoownandraiselivestockandhavelivestockandtheir17

productsrecognizedaspersonalproperty;18

b. Promotionofanimalwelfare,asopposedtoanimalrightsinitiativeswhich19

wouldlimitproductionagriculturebyimposingmandatoryrestrictionson20

traditionalmethodsofagriculturalanimalproduction;21

c. Responsiblecareandmanagementofanimalstoprovideforthewelfareof22

herdsandflocks;23

d. Educatingthepublicregardingtheimportantuseofanimalsforagricultural24

andmedicalresearch.Anyillegalactionstakenbyanimalrights25

organizationstowardproducersshouldbeprosecutedtothefullestextentof26

thelaw;and27

e. Thedevelopmentofeggsexingtechnologiestoeliminatetheeuthanasiaof28

malechickshatchedinegglayingoperations.29

Weopposeabanontheslaughterofhorsesandthecriminalizationofindividuals30

processing,shipping,transporting,purchasing,selling,delivering,orreceivingany31

horse,horseflesh,orcarcassforthepurposeofharvest.32

27

WecallforthereinstitutionoffacilitiesandUSDAinspectiontodealwiththe1

processingandhumanedisposalofhorses.2

ii. LivestockandLivestockProductImports(alsoseeArticleIII–International3

Trade,Cooperation,andtheFamilyFarm)4

Theunrestrictedimportationoflivestockandlivestockproductsiscausing5

seriousdamagetoourdomesticindustry.Additionally,alackofsufficientmeat6

importinspectionposesanincreasedpotentialofcontaminatedfoodreaching7

tablesintheUnitedStates.WerecommendthatCongressincorporatethefollowing8

stepstoprotectU.S.livestockproducersfromunfairtradingpractices:9

a. InvestigatetheimpactofforeignpricingpracticesontheU.S.market;10

b. Imposecountervailingdutiestooffsetsubsidiespaidtoforeignexporters;11

c. Requiretheamountofimportedmeatandliveanimalsintendedfor12

slaughterbereportedweekly;13

d. Re-establishSection301,allowingtheUnitedStatestoimposetrade14

sanctionsagainstforeigncountriesthattheUSTRdeterminesapplicable;15

e. Re-establishtheMeatImportAct,whichwasreplacedundertheUruguay16

Round,byreplacingexistingtariffratequotasystemwithanimportquota17

system;and18

f. Requireend-usecertificatestomonitortheflowoflivestockbeingimported.19

iii. ConsumerProtection(alsoseeArticleX.J–FoodSafetyandArticleI.D–Labelingof20

CommoditiesandCommodityProducts)21

Wesupport:22

a. StrengtheningUSDAandFDAsafetystandardstopreventbovine23

spongiformencephalopathy(BSE)contaminatedproductsfrombeing24

imported(alsoseeArticleI.C.2.iv–LivestockHealth);25

b. Requiringmorevigorousinspectionofimportedmeatprocessing26

facilitiesandimportedmeatstoensureforeignstandardsareequalto27

U.S.standards;28

c. Banningmeatand/ormeatproductsfromforeigncountriesthatallow29

useofmedicationsoradditivesnotapprovedforuseintheUnitedStates;30

d. ProhibitingtheimportationofgroundandshavedmeatintotheUnited31

States;32

28

e. Enforcingallexistingquarantinerequirementsandhealthstandardsas1

setforthbyUSDA/AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService(APHIS)2

regardingimportsoflivestockandothercommodities;3

f. USDAensuringarigorousandenhancedmeatinspectionsystem,inorder4

tomaintainconsumerconfidenceinthesafetyandwholesomenessof5

meatandpoultryproducts;and6

g. ExpandingthecoverageoftheLivestockIndemnityProgramtoinclude7

animalsthatdiefrompneumoniaasadirectresultofaneligibleadverse8

weatherevent.9

Weoppose:10

a. TheshippingofU.S.beef,pork,poultry,orfishtobeprocessedinforeign11

countriesthatisthenreturnedtotheU.S.forU.S.consumption;and12

b. Anychangestoslaughterinspectionthatmovesinspectiontasksaway13

fromUSDAinspectors.ThisincludesanyexpansionoftheHACCP-Based14

InspectionModelsProjectoranyotherprojectthatwouldprivatize15

inspectionroles.16

iv. LivestockHealth17

Livestockhealthiscriticaltoproductionagricultureandournation’sabilityto18

provideasafefoodsupply.Achievingthenecessarymeanstoensurelivestockhealthis19

apriorityforNFU.Wesupportgoodanimalhusbandrypracticesastheprimarymeans20

oflivestockhealthmaintenance,aswellasthefollowinginitiativestoensurelivestock21

health:22

a. Weencouragealllivestockproducerstodevelopprofessionalrelationships23

withtheirveterinarianstounderstandallaspectsoftheVeterinaryFeed24

Directiveasimplemented;25

b. ContinuetoallowFDAtopermittheuseoftherapeuticantibioticsapproved26

foruseinlivestockunlessvalidscientificevidenceprovestheproductis27

unsafe.NFUbelievesthatantibiotictreatmentshouldbereservedforclinical28

treatmentofillnessandforjudicioususeinpreventingillnessduringperiods29

ofstress,andsupportsproducers’righttotreathisorheranimalswith30

antibioticstoaddressherdhealthissueswhileopposingtheconstant31

subtherapeuticuseofantibiotics;32

29

c. Inordertoprotectthecontinuedandeffectiveuseofantibioticsforhuman1

healthcare,weopposetheoff-labeluseofantibioticsand/orarsenicalsand2

fluoroquinolonesinanimalproduction;3

d. Fullyfunddiseaseeradicationprograms,includingtestingofwildlife,non-4

traditionallivestockspeciesandimportedlivestockandlivestock5

byproducts;6

e. Banlivestock,animalproteinproducts,andmeatimportsthatwould7

jeopardizeU.S.effortstoeradicatelivestockdiseases,includingBSEand8

Foot-and-MouthDisease(FMD);9

f. Encouragecongressionalsupportforemergencyeconomicassistancefor10

producerswhohavesufferedeconomicandmarketlossesasaresultofan11

incidentoflivestockdisease,ascoveredbytheAnimalHealthProtectionAct12

(PL108-498);13

g. EstablishfundingforavoluntaryJohne’sDiseasetestingprogram;14

h. Increaseresearchontransmissionmodes,vaccineregimens,andprotocolfor15

vesicularstomatitisbyfederalofficialsandprivateorganizations;16

i. Re-evaluatethequarantinerestrictionandreclassificationofvesicular17

stomatitisfromClassAtoaClassBdisease;18

j. PreventBovineSpongiformEncephalopathy(BSE)andFoot-and-Mouth19

Disease(FMD)through:20

1. Increasingfederalandinternationalresearchtounderstandand21

preventBSE/FMD;22

2. Continuingthesite-specificbanonprocessing,blending,andshipping23

ofmeatfromaplantwhereBSEhasbeenfound,untilsubsequenttest24

resultsshowthattheplantisfreeofBSE;25

3. RescindingtheUSDArulesthatallowtheimportoflivestockand26

meatproductsfromcountrieswithactivediseaseoutbreaksand27

returningthatauthoritybacktoCongresswithproducerand28

consumerinput;29

4. Continuingthebanonlivestockandmeatimportsfromcountries30

withBSE/FMDoutbreaksuntilthediseaseiscontrolledand/or31

eradicated;32

30

5. Banningallmeatandfeedimportsfromcountriesthathavenot1

implementedandenforcedaruminant-to-ruminantfeedban;2

6. Prohibitingtheimportationofanimalproteinproductsfrom3

countriesthatcannotcertifyBSE-andtransmissiblespongiform4

encephalopathies(TSE)-freeproducts;5

7. ProhibitingTSE-positivematerialsinnon-ruminantfeeds;and6

8. Cross-referencingallregulationsforcompleteconsistencyof7

standards.8

k. Developacomprehensivestrategyandworkwithelectricproviderstohelp9

producersdetectandeliminatestrayvoltage.Thestrategyshouldinclude10

researchonstrayvoltage,inspectorstodetecttheproblem,andpublic11

educationaboutfundingavailabletoassistproducerswhohavesuffered12

lossesduetostrayvoltage;13

l. EnforceSection21GeneralRequirementRule215-BoftheNationalElectric14

SafetyCodetoprohibitusingthegroundasthesoleconductororreturnto15

utilitiessubstations;16

m. Requireuser-feesforimporterstoimplementinspectionsanddisease17

prevention;18

n. EncourageCongresstocontinuefundingresearchandpreventionmethods19

forallharmfulandlife-threateningstrainsofinfluenza.USDAshoulddevelop20

astrategicplantohelpproducersdetect,monitor,anderadicateinfected21

animals.Vaccinationcompensationformandatorycullingshouldbedirected22

towardproducerswithlimitedfinancestopreventthedrivingoutofsmall23

producers;and24

o. UrgeCongresstoupgradethePlumIslandAnimalDiseaseCenter;however,25

weopposecompletionoftheNationalBio-andAgro-Defenseresearch26

facilityinanylocationcriticaltofoodproductioninournation.Ifcompleted,27

rigorousstandardsofcontainmentmustbedevelopedandthegovernment28

shouldassumecompleteliabilityshouldcontainmentnotbesuccessful.29

Fundingmustbefull,adequateandcontinuoustomeettherigorous30

standardsofcontainment.Topreventanybiosecurityrisk,fundingforthis31

facilityshouldbeexemptfromanybudgetarycuts.32

31

p. LegislativeeffortstoamendtheMinorUseandMinorSpeciesAnimalHealth1

Actof2004toincludelanguagethatwouldprovidefederalincentives,tax2

andothers,forthedevelopmentandlabelingofmuchneeded3

pharmaceuticalsforminorspeciesandminoruses.4

v. StateAnimalIdentification5

WesupporttheUSDA’sactiontoleaveanimalidentificationfordisease6

managementtothestates.Weurgestateprogramstoestablishvoluntaryindividual7

animalidentificationsystemsthatrecognizethatthecollectedinformationisthesole,8

proprietarypropertyoftheproducerandthoseauthorizedtouseit.Anylivestock9

databaseshallbehousedatthestategovernmentlevel–notprivatelyheld.Thedata10

shallonlybesharedintheeventofadiseaseoutbreakandtotheextentnecessaryfor11

itscontrol.12

vi. NationalAnimalIdentification13

NFUdoesnotcurrentlysupportamandatoryNationalAnimalIdentificationSystem14

duetoavastarrayofissuesnotyetaddressed:15

a. Costsofimplementingtheprogramremainuncertain.TheDepartmentof16

HomelandSecurity(DHS)hasstatedthenecessityofanationalanimalI.D.17

programtocombatterrorism;therefore,weurgeCongresstoprovidethe18

fullfundingnecessarytocreateandmaintainthedatabaseandprovide19

compensationtoproducersfortheircostsofimplementingtheprogram;20

b. AnynationalanimalI.D.programshouldbeadministeredbyUSDA;21

c. Mitigateproducerliabilityforcontaminatedfoodproducts.Aseamless22

systemshouldbeprovidedatallretaillevelsthatensurestheinformation23

gatheredthroughanI.D.systemiscomplementarywiththatprovided24

throughmandatorycountry-of-originlabeling;25

d. Useoftheproprietaryinformationshouldincludeclearlimitstoensure26

protectionundertheFreedomofInformationAct(FOIA).Accesstoproducer27

informationshouldbeavailableonlytorelevantfederalandstateagencies28

andonlyintimesofanimaldiseaseoutbreaksorbioterrorismattacks;29

e. Ensureduniformityofidentificationsystemwithtrackingtechnologyand30

databasemanagement;and31

32

f. Controlofthedatabaseneedstoremainunderthecontrolofthefederal1

government.TheconcernswehavewithUSDA’sproposaltoallowa2

privatelymanageddatabasesysteminclude:3

1. Itforcesproducerstobearthefinancialburden,whichtheycannot4

afford;5

2. Thispublicdatabasewillcreatearevenuesourceforprivateentities6

seekingtomakeaprofit;7

3. Itdoesnotcontainoversighttoprotectconfidentialproducer8

information;9

4. Itdoesnotmitigateproducerliability;10

5. Itwillcreateopportunitiesforpackerstoconditionthepurchaseof11

livestockuponparticipationinavoluntaryI.D.program;12

6. Itassumescoordinationamongacomplexwebofdatawithno13

guaranteesofsuccess;and14

7. Itassumesallsectorsofthelivestockindustrywillagreeuponthe15

developmentandmaintenanceofasingleentitytorepresenteach16

species’interests.17

vii. Aquaculture,FishingandAlternativeLivestock18

Theland-basedaquacultureandalternativelivestockindustriesrepresent19

opportunitiesforfamilyfarmerstoestablishnewand/ormorediversifiedfarming20

enterprises.21

Inordertoensureconsumerconfidenceinthehealthandsafetyoftheseproducts,22

wesupport:23

a. Theextensionoffederal,orequivalentstate,foodinspectionservicesfor24

theseproductsandrecommendthatauniforminspectionfeesystembe25

adoptedbytheagencyofjurisdiction;26

b. Recognizingfarm-raisedfreshwaterfishandshellfishproductionasa27

domesticatedlivestockunderUSDAdefinitionandmovingitsinspection28

fromFDAtoUSDAjurisdiction;29

c. Recognizinggamefarmsaslivestockoperationsandsubjectingthemtoall30

livestockhealthregulations,aswellasmakingthemeligibleforanybenefits31

providedtraditionallivestockoperations;32

33

d. Recognizingvermicultureasanagriculturalpracticeandwormsasan1

alternativelivestock;2

e. Recognizinginsectfarmingasanagriculturalpracticeandinsectsasan3

alternativelivestock;and4

f. USDA,utilizingstatedepartmentsofagriculturewherefeasible,beingthe5

agencythatregulatesallhealthissuesforthesefarmsandranches,aswellas6

providingproduction,processing,andmarketdevelopmentassistancefor7

theseproducts.8

1. MarineAquaculture9

Thedevelopmentofindustrial-scaleoffshorefinfishaquacultureisdetrimental10

tothefamilyfishersandlocaleconomiesofhistoricfishingcommunities.Itshould11

notbeallowedtoproceedunlessanduntilthereisnationallegislationinplacethat12

ensuresitcanbeconductedwithoutharmingmarineecosystemsandcoastalfishing13

communities.14

Weoppose:15

a. Promotionofoffshoreaquacultureoperationsthatdisplaceorendanger16

traditionalfishingpracticesandonshoreinfrastructure;17

b. Inefficientuseofmarineresourcesasfeedwithinsuchoperations;18

c. Federalsubsidiestopromote,sustainorfurtherdevelopsuchoperations;19

and20

d. Marinefishingoperationsthatarenotcommunity-basedanddonot21

contributetothepromotionoflocallyandsustainablycaughtwild22

seafood.23

2. SustainableWorkingWaterfrontsandFisheries24

Smallboatfishersfacemanyofthesamechallengesasfamilyfarmers:anaging25

population,consolidationofthefishingfleet,andhighcostofproductioninfueland26

licensecostsmakeithardtoenterorsustainafishingbusiness.Overfishingof27

foragefishhabitathasledtoacurrenteconomiccrisisformanysmallboatfishers28

andtheircoastalcommunities.Drasticdeclinesincommercialandgroundfishoffof29

allU.S.coastswillnecessitateextremecutstofishharvest.Theeconomicimpactof30

thesereductionswillbedevastatingforsmallboatfishers.31

Wesupport:32

34

a. Protectingourworkingwaterfrontssothatviablefamilyfishing1

businessescanthriveandgrow;2

b. Disasterassistanceforsmallboatfishers;3

c. FullassistanceofUSDARiskManagementAgencyforsmallboatfishers;4

d. Developmentandsupportofcooperativemarketing,processingand5

brandingmodelsthatprovideafairlivelihoodforfishingfamilies,6

healthylocalfoodproducts,andsustainabilityofwildharvestfisheries;7

e. ExtensionofthefullrangeofUSDAKnowYourFarmer,KnowYourFood8

(KYF)programstosupportsmallboatfishersandprovideaccessto9

educationandtrainingforbeginningfishers;10

f. Programsthatprovideregionallyappropriateresearchandtechnical11

assistancetoimproveprofitabilityofsustainablefishingpractices,12

enhancedmarketingandprocessingofsustainablycaughtfish;13

g. Programsthatenhancetheproductionandprocessingoflocalmeatand14

poultryshouldbeextendedtoincludefish;15

h. USDAconservationprogramsthatsupportthedevelopmentand16

adoptionofsustainablefishingpracticesandprotectcoastalecosystems;17

i. Nutritionincentivesshouldbeextendedtofreshfish;18

j. Catchlimitsasessentialmeansofrebuildingfishstocks;19

k. Selectiveharvestingpracticesthatallowhealthystockstobetargeted,20

whileat-riskanddepletedstocksareavoided;21

l. Reviewingcurrentpracticesaswellasdevelopmentofnewfishinggear22

ortechniquesthatavoiddepletedstocks;23

m. Foragefishpopulationsbeingcarefullymanagedtoavoidoverharvest24

usingscience-basedannualcatchlevelsandariskadversemanagement25

strategy;26

n. Developmentofmeaningfulprotectionsforsensitiveseafloorhabitat27

essentialfortheneedsofmanagedspeciesbasedonbestavailable28

science;and29

o. Prohibitingfishinggearsand/orpracticesthatarenotconduciveto30

protectingtheseimportantandvulnerableareas.31

35

Weopposeopeningclosedareasoftheoceanfisheriesinresponseto1

recentdeclinesingroundfishstocks.2

C. LABELINGOFCOMMODITIESANDCOMMODITYPRODUCTS3

1. COUNTRY-OF-ORIGINLABELING4

Wesupportreauthorizationandfullimplementationofmandatorycountry-of-origin5

labeling(COOL)foragricultural,aquacultureandwild-caughtseafoodproducts.Mandatory6

COOLisavaluablemarketingtoolforproducers,anditallowsconsumerstoknowwhere7

theirfoodisproduced.U.S.producershavetherighttodistinguishtheirproductsfrom8

thoseofothercountriesandU.S.productsshouldnotbecategorizedasaNorthAmerican9

product(alsoseeArticleII–AgricultureCompetitionandConcentration).10

Wesupportthefollowingprinciplesinthecontinuedimplementationofmandatory11

COOLinordertoqualifyandbelabeledasU.S.-produced:12

i. Meatproductsmustcomefromananimalborn,raised,andslaughteredinthe13

UnitedStates;14

ii. Freshproduce,honey,andnutsmustbeexclusivelygrownandprocessedinthe15

UnitedStates;16

iii. Dairyproductstobelabeledtoindicatecountry-of-origin;17

iv. Farm-raisedfishandshellfishmustbehatched,raised,andprocessedinthe18

UnitedStatesorwildfishandshellfishharvestedandprocessedsolelyinthe19

UnitedStatesorbyaU.S.-flaggedvessel;20

v. USDAshouldprohibitanythird-partycompliancereviewsandthirdparties21

dictatingwhattypesofrecordsproducersneedtokeepandthemannerinwhich22

therecordsshouldbekept;23

vi. USDAshouldperformany/allproducerauditstodeterminecompliancewiththe24

law;25

vii. AllowthosewhosolelyproduceU.S.productstoself-verifythatfact;26

viii. Allowproducers,processorsandretailerstomaintainrecordsinamannerof27

theirchoosing,aslongastheinformationisavailableandcanbetransferredtoa28

standardizedformatintheeventofanauditbyUSDA;29

ix. IntheabsenceofmandatoryCOOL,thesamelabelingstandardsoutlinedin30

mandatoryCOOLshouldbemaintainedtobenefitproducersandconsumersin31

anyvoluntaryprogram;and32

36

x. Ifanationalanimalidentificationprogramisimplemented,theinformation1

shouldincludecountry-of-origindistinctionforconsumersofcovered2

commoditiesatallretaillevels.3

2. LABELINGOFFOODPRODUCTS4

Thoroughandaccuratefoodlabelsareanimportanttoolthathelpsconsumersmake5

informeddecisionsandallowsproducerstodifferentiatetheirproducts.Wesupport6

conspicuous,mandatory,uniform,andfederallabelingforfoodproductsthroughoutthe7

processingchaintoincludeallingredients,additives,andprocessessuchas:8

i. Artificialgrowthhormones;9

ii. Productsderivedfromclonedanimals;10

iii. Theidentityoftheparentcompany;11

iv. Carbonmonoxideinjectedinmeatandseafoodorpackagingforappearanceor12

shelf-lifepurposes;13

v. Pointoforiginandproducer-determinedstandardsforgeographicindicators,14

includingpercentagecomingfromthatorigin;15

vi. Dateofkill,formeatandseafood;16

vii. Whetherthemeatwasfrozen;17

viii. Thedate/datesthemeatwassubsequentlyrefrozen;18

ix. Irradiatedproducts,andwecallforfurtherresearchonitslong-termeffectson19

humanhealth;20

x. Maintainingandprotectingtheintegrityoforganiclabeling;and21

xi. Labelingstandardsforthesaleoforganicproducts,whilenotlimiting22

opportunitiestomarketothernaturalorsustainablyproducedfoodproducts.23

xii. Requiringlabelingofmilkfromcowsinjectedwithrecombinantbovine24

somatotropin(rBST),ahormonetostimulatemilkproduction.Intheabsenceof25

federallabelingrequirements,weencouragefarmer-certifiedrBST-freelabeled26

products;27

xiii. Requiringlabelingofimitationandsubstitutedairyproducts;28

xiv. Labelingtheuseofcasein,MPC/UFdairyblends,andfoodprepsinfood29

production;and30

xv. Requiringthelabelingofartificialsweeteners.31

Weoppose:32

37

i. Labelingpoultrychilledbelow26degreesFahrenheitasfresh;and1

ii. USDAregulationthatallowstheadditionofuptoeightpercentwater-weightto2

poultryproductswithoutmandatingthattheseproductsaresolabeled.3

3. NUTRITIONLABELING4

Wesupportprovidingconsumerswithinformationonnutrientsinfoodproductsto5

helpavoidmisleadinghealthclaims.6

D. COMMODITIES7

1. WHEAT,COARSEGRAINS,OILSEEDS,RICE,ANDCOTTON8

Afarmprogramshouldrecognizethemarketrealitiesofthefundamentallyunique9

businessoffarming.Suchaprogramshouldincludethesebasicprovisions:10

i. Pricesupportandincomesupportmechanismforwheat,coarsegrains,oilseeds,11

rice,andcottonthatestablishesafloorundermarketpricesandenables12

producerstoobtaintheirincomefromthemarketplace;13

ii. PriceandincomesupportsshouldprimarilybeprovidedbyCCCnon-recourse,14

commodityloans;15

iii. Loanmaturityperiodsshouldbeextendedatthediscretionoftheproducer,for16

upto18months;17

iv. PricesupportandCCCloanratesshouldbesetatlevelstoensureproducers18

havetheopportunitytoreceiveafairreturnontheirinvestment.Theloanrate19

shouldnotbeforlessthantheUSDAnationalaveragecostofproduction.CCC20

loanratesshouldbeadjustedannuallytoreflectinflationandproductivity;21

v. PricesupportsandCCCloanratesshouldbeannuallybalancedinanupward22

manner,inordertopreventmarketandplantingdistortions;23

vi. NFUstronglyurgestheestablishmentofavoluntary,farmer-ownedmarket-24

driveninventorysystemthatreducesvolatilityinagriculturalcommodity25

markets.Inorderforsuchasystemtosucceed,werecommendthefollowing:26

1. USDAwillofferperbushelstorageratesforcommoditieswhenpricesfall27

belowadesignatedloanrate,whichissetnearthemidpointbetweenthe28

variableandfullcostofproductionforeachcommodity.Enrollmentin29

thestorageprogramwillceasewhenpricesrecover;30

38

2. Farmersmayenteranyportionoftheircropintostorage,whichmust1

remainenrolledintheprogramuntilthemarketpriceforthecommodity2

reachesthereleaseprice,orapproximately160percentoftheloanrate;3

3. Farmersmustmaintainthecropinproperconditionwhileinstorage;4

4. Economicallysoundinventorycapsshouldbesetoneachcommodity.5

Shouldtheinventorycapbereachedforacommodity,avoluntaryset-6

asideprogrammaybemadeavailablebyUSDA;7

5. Whenthereleasepriceisreached,thefarmermaysellthecommodity8

intothemarketorholdthecommodity,butstoragerateswillcease;9

6. Allowingthesecretaryofagriculturetheauthoritytomanageprice-10

depressingsurplusesbyprovidingproducersincentivestoplant11

dedicatedenergycropsonacreswhicharenow,ormaybeproduced,in12

surplus;13

7. Commoditysupportbasedonactualproductionhistory(APH),where14

available.ForcaseswithoutAPH,theprogramyieldcannotbelowerthan15

countyFarmServiceAgencyyields.Additionally,weurgethe16

establishmentofAPHfloorstoprotectproducersintheeventof17

successivecropfailurebroughtonbynaturaldisasters;18

8. Plantingflexibility;19

9. Low-interestgrainstoragefacilityloansshouldbemadeavailableto20

producers;21

10. Eachfarmoperatorandcropsharelandlordshouldbeeligiblefor22

maximumloanvolumetargetedtofamily-sizedproducers;23

11. Farmersshouldhavetherighttoperiodicallyupdateacreagebasesand24

provenyieldsonallcropsforeachfarm;and25

12. Farmersshouldhavetheoptiontostoreforfeitedgrainandreceive26

storagepaymentsuntilfinalsaleisconsummated.27

NFUbelievescottonshouldbeacoveredcommodityinanyfuturefarmbill.Wesupport28

thedesignationofcottonseedasan“otheroilseed”forthepurposeoftheAgriculturalRisk29

Coverage(ARC)programandthePriceLossCoverage(PLC)program.30

Weopposethegrowing,harvesting,orprocessingofcastorbeans.31

2. OTHERPROGRAMCOMMODITIES(WOOL,MOHAIR,HONEY,PULSECROPS,ETC.)32

39

Wesupport:1

i. Theestablishmentofaneconomicsafetynetprogramforothereligible2

commoditiesbasedonpriceincomesupportsprovidedthroughCommodity3

CreditCorporation(CCC)non-recourse,commodityloansinamanner4

comparabletomoretraditionalfarmprogramcrops.Othereligiblecommodities5

include,butarenotlimitedto:a)wool;b)mohair;c)honey;d)pulsecrops;and6

e)foragecrops,ifhayedorgrazed;7

ii. FundingtheWoolandMohairProgramfromtariffsonsheepandwoolimports;8

and9

iii. ThePulseHealthInitiative,afocusedefforttoincreaseandleveragescientific10

researchontheadvantagesofpulsecrops11

3. TOBACCO12

WeurgeactionbyCongressandtheadministrationto:13

i. Provideforaplanandfundingforeconomicdevelopmentassistancetotobacco-14

dependentcommunities;15

ii. Establishcountry-of-originlabelingfortobacco;16

iii. Ensurethatallimportedtobaccomeetsthesamestandardsofdomesticleafand17

ismonitoredandtrackedinasimilarfashionasdomesticleaf;18

iv. Toacttoincludeprovisionstocontinuetheinspectionofforeigntobaccofor19

U.S.-bannedchemicalsandpesticides;20

v. ContinueUSDAresearchtodevelopnewusesfortobaccoplants,suchas21

developmentofanypesticidalpropertiesandmedicalresearch;22

vi. Supportthepresident’sCommissiononTobaccorecommendationsandthe23

effortsoftheAllianceforHealthEconomicandAgriculturalDevelopment24

(AHEAD);25

vii. EstablishanewchapterundertheFood,DrugandCosmeticActforthefairand26

effectiveregulationofalltobaccoproductsinthewayinwhichtheyare27

manufactured,sold,labeledandmarketedandensurethatgrowersandother28

stakeholdershavetheopportunitytoprovideinputandcommentsonanyfuture29

rulesissuedbyFDA;30

viii. Ensurethatadequatefundingisprovidedforgrowercompensation,aswellas31

tobaccocontrol,education,andcessationprograms;and32

40

ix. Establishmechanismsbywhichtobaccoandtobaccoproductscanbemonitored1

andtrackedininterstateandforeigncommercetopreventtheillegal2

manufacture,saleanddistributionoftobaccoproducts.3

4. PEANUTS4

Historically,U.S.farmpolicyhasrecognizedthatforpeanuts,thecostofrequirementsof5

thesector,suchasspecialtyharvestingequipmentandstoragefacilitieswouldattracta6

limitednumberofequipmentdealers,processors,andmarketers.Therefore,family-sized7

farmswouldrequireparticularattentiontotheorderlyandhonestmarketingofsucha8

crop.9

Wesupport:10

i. Growermarketingassociationsandfederalmarketingandwarehouseassistance11

toaidinthemaintenanceoffairandtransparentmarketcompetition;12

ii. Increasedresearchfundingtodevelopalternativeusesforpeanuts;13

iii. Prohibitingtheimportationofpeanutsoranypeanutproductsfromcountries14

thatproducenopeanuts;and15

iv. Prohibitingtheimportationofpeanutsorpeanutproductsfromcountriesthat16

haveplantdiseaseproblems,useunjustlaborpractices,orhavelessstringent17

pesticideregulationsthantheUnitedStates.18

5. SUGAR19

Wesupportthecontinuationoftheno-costU.S.sugarprogramandencourageCongress20

toworkwithU.S.sugarproducerstoadoptastrongsugarprograminfuturefarmbills.21

Today’sprogramhassuccessfullyprovidedconsumerswithstable,reliablesuppliesof22

sugaratreasonableprices,providedsugarproducerswithdecentincomeandprovided23

goodemploymentopportunitiesinruralcommunities.24

Programquotalimitsmustbecarefullysafeguardedtoprotectdomesticproducersfrom25

themaskingofsugarimportsintheformofstuffedmolassesandotherstealthproducts26

capableofrefinement.27

Weopposeethanolproducedfromimportedsugarreceivinganytaxpayersubsidies.28

6. TREEFARMSANDFORESTRY29

Theeconomicwell-being,aswellastheindependentexistenceoffamily-sizedtree30

farmers,isthreatenedbyregulatoryuncertainty,over-regulationofwetlands,and31

restrainingbufferzones.Wesupportthefamily-sizedtreefarmers.32

41

NFUencouragesprivatelandownerstoadoptcooperativesustainableforest1

managementpractices,includingbutnotlimitedtocompletionandimplementationof2

foreststewardshipmanagementplansasrecognizedbyUSDA’sForestService.3

NFUencouragesstateandlocalgovernmentstoprotectprimeharvestableforestlands4

throughlocalzoningordinances.5

7. SPECIALTYCROPS6

Specialtycropsincludebutarenotlimitedtofruits,vegetables,treenuts,driedfruits,7

nurserycrops,floricultureandhorticultureincludingturfgrass,sod,Camelliasinensisteas,8

coffeeandherbalcrops.Congressshouldprovidemandatoryfundingforasafetynet9

program,includingriskmanagementtools,toallowproducerstoearnthecostof10

productionplustheopportunityforareasonableprofitfromthemarketplace.11

Wesupport:12

i. MandatoryfundingfortheSpecialtyCropBlockGrantProgram.Specialtycrop13

blockgrantsthatareprovidedtostatesshouldbeprovidedtoproducersandnot14

supplantstatebudgets;15

ii. Collaborationwithconsumer,culinaryandotherfoodgroupstopromoteU.S.16

specialtycrops;17

iii. Protectionforspecialtycropproducersfromimportsduringtheprimaryharvest18

seasonforperishablecrops(windowofharvest);19

iv. Incentivesforallfederalnutritionprogrambeneficiariestousetheirbenefitsat20

farmersmarkets,CSAsandotherdirectmarketingoutlets.Reauthorizationand21

expansionoftheSNAP-basedFoodInsecurityNutritionIncentiveGrantProgram22

andtheChildNutritionActwithcontinuedprioritizationforthedirect-to-23

consumermarketingandthelocalandregionalsourcingoffruitsandvegetables;24

v. Reclassificationofindustrialhempasanon-controlledsubstanceandadopting25

policytoallowAmericanfarmerstogrowindustrialhempunderstatelaw26

withoutaffectingeligibilityforUSDAbenefits,andsupportinglegislationto27

allowforindustrialhemptobecomeacropintheU.S.again;28

vi. Astate’srighttomaketheirownchoiceonmedicalandrecreationalmarijuana29

bycallingonCongressandU.S.DEAtoreclassifymarijuanaasaschedule2or30

lowerdrug;31

vii. USDAdesignationoftreesyrupsasaspecialtycrop;and32

42

viii. Bothseedexchangesandseedlibrariesfortheopenexchangeofheirloomand1

open-pollinatedseed.2

8. HONEY/POLLINATION3

Pollinatorsarevitaltoagricultureandinparticulartotheproductionoffruitsand4

vegetables.Bee-pollinatedforageandhaycropssuchascloverandalfalfaarealsousedto5

feedlivestockanddairyanimals.Introducedparasiteshavehadasignificantimpacton6

honeybeesintheUnitedStates.Undeterminedfactorshaveledtoanobservedcollapsein7

thebeepopulations,commonlyreferredtoasColonyCollapseDisorder.8

Therefore,wesupport:9

i. Agriculturalresearchandeducationtoencourageinnovativeapproachesto10

protectinghoneybeehealthandimprovegeneticstocksofhoneybees;11

ii. Developmentandexpandedresearchtoenhancenativepollinators;12

iii. EncouragingEPAtoenforceitspesticideuselabelstoensureproperapplication13

ofpesticides;14

iv. Encouragingcollaborationbetweenthepesticidemanufacturingandpollinator15

industriestoeducateapplicatorsandproducersaboutthepotentiallyharmful16

effectsofpesticidesonpollinatorpopulations;17

v. Continuedmonitoringofpestpopulationsandpestcontrolmethods;18

vi. Continuedmonitoringofpollinatorimports,accidentalimportationofpestsand19

invasivespecies;20

vii. Ensuringthatpollinator-beneficialhabitatandbestmanagementpracticesare21

eligibleforcost-sharingassistanceandincentivesinUSDAconservation22

programsintendedtoassistproducers;23

viii. Publicresearchofeffectsofpesticides,suchasneonicotinoids,onbeecolonies,24

especiallyrelatedtoColonyCollapseDisorder;25

ix. TheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)defininghoneyasafoodproduct26

basedontheCodexAlimentariusstandardssothatU.S.beekeepershavethe27

abilitytoutilizetradeandlegalmechanismswhenimportedhoneyis28

adulterated.UntiltheFDAdefineshoneyasafoodproduct,wesupporteffortsat29

thestateleveltoauthorizestatedepartmentsofagriculturetodefinehoney30

usingtheCodexAlimentariusstandardsasaguideline;and31

43

x. Thecontinuedconsiderationofhoneybeesandhivesforinclusioninlivestock1

compensationprograms.2

Weopposeanyattempttoclassifysweet,white,oryellowcloverasaninvasivespecies3

ortoprohibitthesaleorplantingofsweetcloverseedbecauseofitsimportantrolein4

honeyproduction.5

9. VALUE-ADDEDANDMINIMALLYPROCESSEDFOODS6

Wecommendandsupportartisanproducersfortheirpioneeringeffortsinrevitalizing7

agricultureintheirlocalcommunities.Theireffortshaveresultedinmultiplebenefitsby8

creatingvalue-addedrevenuestreamsforthemselvesandtheircommunities.9

Theseproductsalsosupplyahighquality,balanceddietforconsumers.10

Wesupportpoliciesandprogramsthatencouragethefurtherdevelopmentofthese11

typesoffarm-basedenterprises.12

10. VALUE-ADDEDUSESOFFARMPRODUCTS13

Wesupportvalue-addedusesoffarmcommoditiesthatencouragethedevelopmentof14

bio-degradableconsumerpackagingasthestandardchoiceforstoragecontainers,15

packagingandbags.16

E. AGRI-TOURISM17

Wesupport:18

1. Theinclusionofagri-tourism,includingon-farmbedandbreakfasts,aspartofthe19

definitionofagricultureandencourageUSDAtorecognizethevalueofagri-tourism;20

and21

2. USDAdevelopingandimplementingaprogramtoeducateproducersabout22

liabilitiesassociatedwithagri-tourismoperations.23

F. RISKMANAGEMENT24

Weencourage:25

1. Theexpansionofriskmanagementtoolstocoverallcommodities;and26

2. TheFSAtoalwaysconsiderpreventedplantacresinrevenuecalculationsnot27

limitedtofarmsafetynetprograms,riskmanagementprogramsanddisaster28

programs.29

1. LIVESTOCKPRODUCERASSISTANCE30

Wesupport:31

i. Fullandpermanentfundingforthelivestockcompensationprograms;32

44

ii. Safeguardstoassurethatprogrambenefitsaretargetedtofamilyfarmersand1

ranchers;and2

iii. Deferringthetaxconsequencesofaforcedliquidationoflivestockifitisdueto3

severeweatherconditionsorothercausesandiftheanimalsarereplacedwithin4

a5-yeartimeframe.5

2. CROPINSURANCE6

Cropinsuranceandrevenuecoverageshouldnotbeconsideredareplacementforfair7

marketpricesandanadequatepricesupportprogram.8

Wesupport:9

i. Thecontinuationandimprovementofthefederalcropinsuranceprogram;10

ii. Apermanentdisasterprogram,inadditiontocropinsurancethataddresses11

bothcatastrophicandshallowlosses;12

iii. Enhancingtheaffordabilityofcoverageabove75percentofactualproduction13

history(APH);14

iv. Alimitationonthecumulativevalueofallfederalpremiumsubsidiesforthe15

purchaseof“buy-up”cropinsurancecoverage.Intheeventbudgetcutsresultin16

decreased“buy-up”premiumsubsidies,thosecutsshouldbeaccomplishedby17

capsonper-individualsubsidies.Cropinsurancesubsidiesshouldbeattributed18

toindividualsbasedontheirshareofownershipofinsurableproductionand19

entitiestheyown;20

v. Developmentoffederalcropinsurancepoliciesthatprovideadollar-per-acre,21

multi-perilcoverageoptionsimilartopoliciesthatexistforsingle-perilhail22

coverage;23

vi. Developmentoffederalcropinsurancepoliciesbasedontheregionalaverage24

costofproductionfortheinsuredcommodity;25

vii. Developmentofnewproductsthatallowproducerstoprotecttheirincomein26

timesoflowpricesand/orqualitylosses;27

viii. Expandedproductionlossandrevenueprotectionprogramstocovermore28

cropsandlivestockinanequitableandcomparablemannerinallstates;29

ix. Developmentofproductsthatallowproducerstobetterprotectagainst30

livestockandlivestockfeedlosses;31

45

x. DirectingtheRiskManagementAgencytofurtherdeveloptheWholeFarm1

RevenueProtectionProgram;2

xi. LegislativeactiontoprovidetheRMAauthoritytoallownationwidecropand3

revenueinsurancepilotprograms;4

xii. Legislativeoradministrativeactiontoincreasetheproducerrepresentationon5

theFederalCropInsuranceCorporation(FCIC)boardofdirectorsandestablish6

alocalappealsprocessincludingconflictresolution;7

xiii. Providingfamilyfarmproducerstheopportunitytoutilizeallavailabledisaster8

programswithoutpenalty;farmersrelyingonsurfacewaterforirrigation9

shouldnotbepenalizedbybeingforcedtosignupcropasdry-landinsteadof10

irrigatedlandduetoan“actofGod”resultinginlackofwaterbecauseof11

drought;12

xiv. Reasonablefundingforcropinsuranceagentandcompanyreimbursement;13

xv. NoreductionofAPHforfederalcropinsurancepurposeswhenproductionis14

reducedbynaturaldisasters;15

xvi. Offeringanadequate,individualcatastrophiccoverageprogramtoprovidea16

safetynetagainstcropdisasterswithagraduatedpremiumbasedonacres17

ratherthancrops;18

xvii. Signuprequirementsthatcontainenoughflexibilityincludingchangesto19

establishedplantingdatestoallowproducerstorespondtoweatherchanges;20

xviii. Beingeligibletoplanta“ghost”cropwhenaproducercollectsapaymentfora21

preventedplanting;22

xix. Theuseofcovercropsforstewardshippurposesonpreventedplantedacres23

whenfeasible;24

xx. Replacementofcovercroprulestiedtoeligibilityforcropinsurancecoverage25

withtheestablishedGoodFarmingPracticesprocess;26

xxi. Preventedplantingprovisionsininsurancepoliciesthatcanprovidevaluable27

coveragewhenextremeweatherconditionspreventexpectedplantings.To28

maintaintheintegrityoftheprogramandavoidabuse,producersshouldmake29

plantingdecisionsbasedonagronomicallysoundandwell-documentedcrop30

managementpractices.WeencouragetheRMAtodevelopguidelinesthatare31

objectiveratherthansubjective;32

46

xxii. Maintainingeligibilitytoreceivepreventedplantingindemnitypayments1

regardlessoftheproducer’splantinghistory;2

xxiii. Theinclusionoflocalqualityandbasisadjustmentsinrevenueassurance(RA)3

products;4

xxiv. Theriskmanagementprogramtorecognizeandaccommodatetheunique5

productionandactuarialexperienceofproducersofcertifiedorganic6

commodities;7

xxv. Notreducingestablishedcropinsuranceduringthatcropyear;8

xxvi. Thedevelopmentofanoptional,supplementalcropinsuranceproductto9

expandproductionlosscoveragebyhelpingoffseteithercatastrophicormodest10

productionlossesintheeventofweather-relatedorotherinsurabledisaster11

losses;12

xxvii. RequiringtheRMAandtheFSAtocoordinatealldefinition,reporting13

requirementsandinformationtechnologies;14

xxviii. Thecreationofregionaladvisorycommitteescomposedofproducers,insurance15

agentsandinsurancecompanyofficialstoworkwithRMAregionalstaffand16

officestoestablishappropriatepolicies,proceduresandeducationalactivities17

fortheindividualRMAregions;18

xxix. Thedevelopmentandexpansionofproductsthatallowproducersofnon-19

programcommodities,smalldiversifiedfarmingoperationsofspecialtyand20

minorcropstohaveequitableinsurancecoveragebasedonthemarketfor21

whichitisproduced.USDAshouldmakewhateverregulatoryoroperational22

changesarenecessarytoremovebarriersandensurefairaccesstocropand23

revenueinsuranceforbeginningfarmersandranchers;24

xxx. Theconceptofariskmanagementaccountthatwouldbeaprivate,self-insured25

policyforfarmersthatissimilartothecurrenthealthsavingsaccount.Thisis26

notareplacementforcropinsurance;rather,itisanalternativetoolforfarmers;27

xxxi. Preventativeplantinglossesincludingallweathercontingencies,including28

drought;29

xxxii. AcropinsurancepremiumduedateofDecember1withnointerestchargesto30

thepremiumiftheclaimisunsettled;31

47

xxxiii. Conservationcompliancetobeeligibleforfederalcropinsurancesubsidies,but1

recognizetheneedforthefollowingspecializedcarve-outprovisions:2

a. ExpeditedlandclassificationdeterminationsbyNRCS;3

b. Expeditedclassificationappeals;4

c. Abilitytowaivepenaltiesfor“ingoodfaith”orotherminorerrors;5

d. Abilitytomitigatebeforepenaltiesareassessed;6

e. Assessmentofpenaltiesonindividualstractsonly,notwholefarms;7

f. Severabilityofpenaltiesbetweenlandownersandtenants;8

g. Penaltiesapplyingonlygoingforwardfor“ingoodfaith”errors;9

h. Relaxedrequirementsforregionsthathavenotreceivedthebenefitof10

naturaldrainageincooperationwithNRCS;11

xxxiv. Thecontinueddevelopmentofriskmanagementtoolsfororganic-certified12

crops;and13

xxxv. Additionalcropinsurancesubsidiesforfarmersusingprovenandeffective14

conservationpractices.15

Weoppose:16

i. RMAallowingoutsideinfluenceoncropinsurancepremiumlevelswithregard17

tospecificcropinputs,practicesortechnologies;18

ii. Thesaleofcropinsurancebyaglendinginstitutionsandotheragindustriesthat19

areabletocoercetheproducer,i.e.lendersdiscountinginterestorrequiring20

purchaseofthelender’sowncropinsuranceproductasconditionofreceivinga21

loan;22

iii. Thevoidingofanentirecropinsurancepolicyduetoanerrorinasinglelineof23

thepolicy;and24

iv. Thesaleofcropinsurancebyfederalagencies.25

3. NATIONALFOODLIABILITYINSURANCEPROGRAM26

Wesupportanationalfoodliabilityinsuranceprogramtoassureatanationallevelthat27

unprocessedorlessprocessedwholefoods,freshfruits,cheeseanddairyproducts,meats28

andfreshvegetablescontinuetoremainaccessibleinthemarketplace.CurrentU.S.food29

liabilitycultureplacesthefarmerinanunfairpositionandthismustbeaddressedifwe30

intendtohavefarm-freshorlessprocessedfoodsavailabletoconsumers.31

4. RISKMANAGEMENTEDUCATION32

48

WeencouragetheUSDAtocontinuefundingriskmanagementeducationgrants.1

G. FARMPROGRAMADMINISTRATION2

Weurgefullimplementationandfundingofallprovisionsofthe2014FarmBill,consistent3

withtheintentofCongress.4

1. FARMER-ELECTEDCOMMITTEES5

Wesupport:6

i. Theintegrityandindependenceoffarmer-electedcommitteesincarryingout7

farmprograms;8

ii. Sufficientfundingsothecommitteememberscanbetrainedandcanfunction9

effectively;10

iii. AppointeestostateFSAcommittees,whichadministerfarmprograms,being11

familyfarmers;12

iv. Farmer-elected,county-orarea-farmercommittees;13

v. UniformityofinterpretationofUSDAprogramstothemaximumdegreepossible,14

whilestillmeetinglocalneeds;15

vi. Offeringappealsatthelocal,state,andnationallevels;16

vii. Continuinganindependentappealsprocessandtheproducer’srightto17

mediation;18

viii. Programstoeducateproducersandothersaboutmediationprocesses;and19

ix. GreaterauthoritygiventoFSAcountycommitteesindeterminingthedisaster20

designationsandtheappropriateprogramapplications.21

Weopposeselectionofthecountyorareafarmercommitteesbypoliticalappointment.22

2. NATURALRESOURCESCONSERVATIONSERVICE23

TheNaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)shouldbetheserviceagencyto24

providetechnicalassistanceworkingwithlocalboardsandlocalconditionswhenever25

possible.WesupportthefollowingchangestoNRCS:26

i. Implementationofanappealssystem;27

ii. Givingthesoilconservationdistrictboardstheauthoritytohearfarmerappeals28

onconservationland-useissues,includinggood,fairvariances;29

iii. Providingfullfundingforconservationtechnicalassistancetoimplement30

conservationprograms;31

49

iv. AppointeestotheNRCSstatetechnicalcommittees,whichprovideadviceand1

counseltostateconservationists,beingactivelyengagedinafamilyfarm2

operation;3

v. NRCSstatetechnicalcommitteeshavingvotingpoweroverthecost-sharerates4

andrankingprocedures;and5

vi. FundsdesignatedtoNRCSprogramsbeingusedtohirelocalfishersandfarmers6

toimplementconservationprojects.7

Weoppose:8

i. TheprivatizationoftheservicesoftheNRCSandobjecttoforcingfarmerstopay9

forthetechnicalassistance,whichshouldbeprovidedbyNRCSstaff;and10

ii. AnyefforttoeliminateNRCSorshiftconservationservicestosomeotheragency11

orbranchoftheUSDA.12

3. IMPROVEDMARKETINGMECHANISMS13

NFUreaffirmsitssupportforenablinglegislationtoestablishaNationalAgricultural14

RelationsBoardorseparateboardforsinglecommoditiesorgroupsofcloselyrelated15

commodities.Onceestablished,thisboardshould:16

i. Bringfarmersandfarmcooperativestogetherwithhandlersandprocessors,for17

thepurposeofbargainingoverpricesreceivedbyagriculturalproducers.18

Farmersneedandareentitledtoafirmlegalprocedurewhichwillenablethem19

tomanagetheproductionandmarketingoftheirproducts;and20

ii. Helppreservethelong-standingrightsoffarmerstoparticipateinbargaining21

associationsandcooperativeswithoutbeingsubjecttoantitrustaction.22

H. SPECIALAGRICULTURALPOLICIESANDSERVICES23

1. FARMLABOR24

WeencourageCongresstocontinuefundingexistingprogramsandestablishnewgrant25

initiativesthataimtoimprovethesupply,stability,andtrainingoftheagriculturallabor26

force.27

TheNationalLaborRelationsActshouldbeextendedtoworkersoncorporateand28

otherfarmsthatemployenoughhiredhelptobesubjecttothefederalminimumwage29

provisionsapplicabletoagriculturalworkers.30

Wesupportenforcementofthefollowinglaborstandards:31

50

i. Workerprotectionstandardsregardingwagerates,health,safetyandhousing1

conditionsformigrant,seasonal,minorityandotherfarmlaborersandfor2

educationoftheirchildren;3

ii. Allowtherightsofworkerstobargaincollectivelyforfairwages;and4

iii. Providealivableminimumwage.5

2. SAFETYOFFARMERSANDFARMWORKERS6

AgriculturehasbeendeterminedtobeahazardousoccupationintheUnitedStates.7

Farmmachineryisnotsubjecttofederalsafetyregulationsorrecallsbutisinstead8

manufacturedaccordingtovoluntarystandardssetbytheAmericanSocietyofAgricultural9

andBiologicalEngineers.10

Werecommend:11

i. Farmerstakeadvantageoftrainingopportunities,includingpesticideapplicator12

programs,asoftenaspossible;13

ii. Farmequipmentmanufacturersbesubjecttorulesrequiringproductsafety,and14

thatmanufacturersbeliablefordamagessufferedduetoinjuriescausedby15

faultyequipment;16

iii. Developingincentivesforthepurchaseofrolloverprotectionforfarm17

equipment;18

iv. Standardizedhazardandcautionlightsanddistinctturnsignalsonallfarm19

equipmentthatusespublicroadways,andincreasededucationofthepublicon20

theneedtorespectthem;21

v. DiscouragingtheuseofSlowMovingVehicleemblemsforpurposesotherthan22

theirintendeduse;23

vi. Farmersandtheiremployeeshaveaccesstoinformationregardinghazardous24

materialsusedonthefarm;25

vii. Farmersmaintainadequaterecordsontheirtransportation,use,storage,and26

disposaloffertilizersandpesticides;27

viii. Farmersandsmallbusinesseshaveavoiceinassuringthatrulesimplementing28

theOccupationalSafetyandHealthActof1970,establishedfortheprotectionof29

thoseemployedbyfarmersandsmallbusinesspersons,arereasonableand30

workable.ThisassuresthatOSHArequirementsarewithinthereasonable31

51

financialreachoffarmsandbusinessesaffected,thatthepenaltiesarenot1

excessive,andthatreasonableperiodsoftimeareallowedforcompliance;2

ix. Congressprovideforcontinuedexemptionofsmallfarmsandbusinessesthat3

have10orfeweremployeesfromtheinspectionprovisionsofthelaw;4

x. Familyfarmersexercisereasonablecaretopromotethesafetyofthemselves5

andtheirfamilies;and6

xi. DevelopingInternationalLaborOrganization(ILO)standardsthatadequately7

protectthehealthandsafetyofchildren.8

3. STORABLECOMMODITIESPRODUCERPROTECTION9

i. FederalWarehouseAct10

Wesupporttherightofindividualstatestoregulatethegrainmerchandising11

activitiesofwarehouseslicensedbythefederalgovernment.NFUwillopposefederal12

preemptionofstateregulatoryauthorityovergrainmerchandisingunless:13

a. Federalregulationincludesappropriateandeffectiveoversightoffederally14

licensedwarehousesandmerchandisingactivities;15

b. Modificationstofederalwarehouseandmerchandisingactivitiesthatmay16

haveanimpactonproducersareproposedandadoptedthroughpublic17

rulemakingproceduresratherthantheannuallicensingprocess;18

c. Producersareprovidedaprotectionprogramfundedbythewarehouseand19

merchandisingindustryagainstlossesfromwarehouseandmerchandising20

companyinsolvenciesandbankruptciesatnolessthan:21

1. 100percentinthecaseofwarehousereceiptedstoredgrainand22

grainsoldforpaymentwithin30daysofdelivery;and23

2. $3millionperproducerforeachcommoditystored,delivered,or24

contractedwithin31-365daysofdelivery25

d. Limitationsontheleveloflicensingflexibilityprovidedtograinwarehouses26

andmerchandisersareenactedtoensureitdoesnotresultinareductionin27

existingfinancialprotectionsforproducers;and28

e. States’abilitiestofundoperationsandinventorytransactions,liquidity,and29

maintain“weights-and-measures”regulationsareprotected.30

Wefurtherurgethateachstateprovidesupplementalguaranteesbeyondany31

federalmaximum.Congressshouldtakewhateveractionisnecessarytoensurethat32

52

storedcommoditiesremainthepropertyofthosepersonswhodeliveredthemfor1

storage.Warehousesshouldberequiredtoissuenegotiablewarehousereceiptsupon2

request,atacostnottoexceedthedumpcharge.3

ii. AgMerchandiserorSupplierBankruptciesandReceiverships4

Farmersshouldbegivenfirstpositionpriorityinagmerchandiserorsupplier5

bankruptciesandreceiverships,includingcommoditiespricesunderdeferredpriceand6

delayedpaymentcontracts.7

iii. CommodityBasis8

Basisshouldreflectthecostoftransportationandstoragefromthepointoflocal9

deliverytothepointofterminaldeliveryanditisnottobeusedasariskmitigationtool10

forthegrainmerchandiser.Wecallforoversightbytheappropriatefederalagency11

and/ortheCommodityFuturesTradingCommissiontoinvestigateabusesofthebasis12

levels.13

4. AGRICULTURALCENSUS14

Censusdataareusefulindesigningfarmprogramsanddefendingandpromotingthe15

interestsoffamily-sizedfarmoperations.Thecensusofagricultureprovidesdatathatshow16

thetrendsintheagriculturaleconomyofeachcountyandstateandforthenation.NFU17

encouragesthefollowingrelativetothecensusofagriculture:18

i. Continuetobeconductedeveryfiveyears;19

ii. Oppositiontoeffortstoincreasetheminimumfinancialcriteriaforclassifying20

agriculturaloperations;21

iii. Continuedcollectionofneededdatarelatingtocorporateinvolvementin22

agricultureandcoordinationwithinformationcollectedonforeigninvolvement23

inthepurchaseoffarmlandandagriculturalenterprisestomoreclearlyreflect24

thepatternofownershipandmanagementofU.S.agriculture;and25

iv. OppositiontoUSDAusinginformationobtainedinthecensusinamannerthatis26

detrimentaltofamilyfarmersandranchers.27

5. NATIONALAGRICULTURALSTATISTICSSERVICE(NASS)28

WesupportadequatefundinglevelsforNationalAgriculturalStatisticsService(NASS)29

andrecognizetheimportanceofsurveys.AsUSDAusesNASSinformationformultiple30

programs,NASSshouldworkwiththefarmerstorecordtheneededinformationinsteadof31

usinganotherdatasource.32

53

WeencourageproducerstorecognizetheimportanceoffillingoutNationalAgricultural1

StatisticsService(NASS)data,whichisusedbyUSDAtodeterminepriceandyield2

informationformultipleUSDAprogramsandgrantopportunitieswithinourstatesand3

countygovernmentsthatcallforsuchmetrics.4

6. COMMODITYRESEARCHANDPROMOTIONPROGRAMS5

Wesupportavoluntarycheckoff,withproducerparticipationdeterminedatthepoint6

ofsale.Oursupportforproducer-financedcommodityresearchandpromotionprogramsis7

determinedbytheextenttowhichproducerswhoareactivelyinvolvedinproduction8

agriculturecontroltheprograms.9

NFUwillsupportprogramsfinancedfromtheproceedsofsalesbyproducersof10

agriculturalcommodities,onlyifthefollowingcriteriaaremet:11

i. Researchandpromotionprogramsareforthesolefinancialbenefitofdomestic12

familyfarmers;13

ii. Disbursementoffundscollectediscontrolledsolelybyboardsofnon-processing14

domesticproducerselectedbythedomesticproducersassessed,andthe15

operationsoftheprogramaresolelycontrolledbythosedomesticproducer16

boards;17

iii. Membersofnationalproducer-fundedboardsshallbenominatedandelectedby18

producers,withtheelectionprocesssupervisedbyFSA;19

iv. Itshallbemandatorythatalleligibleproducersbeprovidedwithaballotforall20

electionsandreferendums;21

v. Eachproducerofanagriculturalproducttobecoveredunderanymulti-22

commoditycheckoffshallhaveonevoteinanyreferendumtodetermine23

whetherthatcheckoffprogramshouldbecreatedandtheboardsocreated24

shouldadequatelyrepresentindependentfamilyfarmproducers;25

vi. Approvalisby60percentofproducersvotinginareferendumpriorto26

implementationoftheorder,withspousesallowedtovoteindividually,andno27

blocvotingallowed;28

vii. Theoutcomeofproducerreferendumsshouldbedeterminedsolelyonthebasis29

ofonevoteperperson;30

54

viii. Changesinleviesandadministrativeandoperationalproceduresshouldbe1

submittedtoproducersaffectedandsubjecttoapprovalbyasimplemajority2

vote;3

ix. Periodicreviewreferendumsshouldbefinancedandconductedbythefederal4

governmenteveryfifthyear,withnoproducerfundsusedtoinfluencethe5

voters.Asimplemajorityofproducersvotinginareferendumshallbeableto6

recallacommoditycheckoffprogram.USDAshallmakeavailablethetotal7

numberofproducers;8

x. WhenanassessmentiscollectedfromU.S.producersofacommodity,anequal,9

non-refundablefeeshouldcontinuetobeassessedonforeignimportsofthat10

commodity,ineitherrawormanufacturedform.Anyspecialprovisions11

extendedtoU.S.regions,remotestatesorterritoriesshouldnotbeextendedto12

importedproducts;13

xi. Theassessmentshouldalsobecollectedfromthoseintegratorswhoare14

currentlyexemptedbyvirtueofbeinginaverticallyintegratedoperation;15

xii. Periodicindependent,outsideevaluationsandauditsofallfinancialrecords16

shouldbeconductedtoensurethatthebenefitsoftheprogramoutweighthe17

coststoproducers,withcopiesoftheauditsavailabletoallwhopaythe18

assessments;19

xiii. Proceduresshouldbeprovidedtoenableproducerstoimmediatelyobtainthe20

refundsoftheresearchandpromotionfundstheywereassessed;21

xiv. Researchfundsgeneratedthroughproducerassessmentsshouldnotbeusedas22

asubstituteforpubliclygeneratedresearchfunding;23

xv. Farmersandranchershavetherighttodesignatetheuseofthecheckoffdollars24

heorshecontributesforresearch,promotion,expandedcooperative25

development,ornutritionprogramsandfoodbanks;26

xvi. Prohibitingtheuseofdairyproducers’checkoffmoneytoconductresearchinto27

theuseofcaseinand/orMPC’sinthemakingofcheeseandotherdairyproducts,28

ortopromoteanythingotherthanU.S.-producednaturaldairyproducts;29

xvii. Mandatoryproducerassessmentsshouldnotgotoorganizationsthatengagein30

lobbying.Nofundsshouldbedonatedorcontractsprovidedtoorganizations31

thatcarryoutpoliticalorlobbyingactivitiesortotheirsharedstaff,evenif32

55

recordsarekeptwhichseparatetheiractivity.Nocheckoffprograms/events1

shallbeheldinconcertorconjunctionwithanypolicyorganization’s2

programs/events.Severecriminalpenaltiesshouldbeassessedforusingfunds3

forpersonal,political,orlobbyingactivities;4

xviii. Thepaymentofamandatorycommoditycheckoffmustnotconstitute5

membershipinaproducerorganization;and6

xix. Producer-fundedresearchshouldremainthepropertyoftheproducers.Patents7

grantedasaresultoftheresearchshouldalsobelongtotheproducers.Royalties8

collectedshouldbereturnedtotheproducers’researchfund.9

7. GRAINSTANDARDS10

Ournation’sgrainstandardsfailtorewardproducersforproductionofclean,higher-11

qualitygrain.Thecurrentstandardsprovideawidemarginformanipulationbygrain12

buyersandprocessorsthroughblendingandotherdevices.Thegradelimitationsare13

arbitrary,permittingbuyerstoestablishlargediscountsoffactorsthatarenotnecessarily14

relatedtorealdifferencesinthevalueofagivencommodity.Ourgrainstandardsalsofailto15

identifymanyqualitycharacteristicsrelatedtotheactualend-usevalueofthecommodity.16

Wesupport:17

i. Producersreceivingapremiumforhigherqualitygrain;18

ii. Regulationorlegislationthatprovidesaconsistentgradingandmoisture19

discountscalethatismonitoredandenforcedatthelocalelevatorormill;and20

iii. Aperiodicreviewofournation’sgrainstandardssoourproducerscanmore21

effectivelycompeteinworldmarketsbasedonthequalityoftheirproduction.22

Revisedstandardsshould:23

i. Rewardpositiveactionstakenbyproducers,suchasgeneticimprovementand24

soundgrain-handlingpractices;25

ii. Establishgradeandnon-gradefactorsthatcanbecommonlyunderstoodand26

mutuallydeterminedbyproducersandend-users;27

iii. Adoptdry-mattergradingbythegraintradeasabetterwayofcompensatingthe28

producerforthegraindeliveredtotheelevator;29

iv. Beimplementedinsuchamannerthatthegradedeterminedatthetimeofthe30

initialsaleisconsistentwiththegradereceivedbytheenduser;31

v. Ensuretestingstandardsthatreflectactualgrainquality;and32

56

vi. Establishstandardizedteststhatareaccurateandreproducible.1

8. GRAININSPECTION2

Wereaffirmourpositionforthehighstandardsingraininspectionandsupportthe3

weighingsystemasauthorizedundertheoriginalFederalGrainInspectionAct.4

ToprotectandimproveourreputationasexportersofU.S.commodities,wesupport5

legislationthatwould:6

i. Prohibitandpenalizeexportersaddingforeignmaterialormoisturetoany7

commodityforoverseasshipment;8

ii. Requireexportcustomerstopayforshipmentsonaclean-grainbasis,justas9

farmersarepaidonaclean-grainbasis;10

iii. ProvidegraininspectionpersonneltospotcheckU.S.grainatforeignportsto11

determinewhetheritisofthesamekind,class,quantityandconditionthatwas12

certifieduponshipment;13

iv. Prohibittheimpositionofuserfeesfortheinspectionandgradingofagricultural14

commodities.Federalinspectionandgradingofsuchcommoditiesisinthe15

publicinterestandshouldnotbechargedtotheproducer;16

v. Continuetoinvestigategraincompaniesastothetotalpricingsystemandany17

qualitydiscountssuchasthoseforproteinschedules,testschedules,DON18

(vomitoxin)levels,fallingnumbersandscab;and19

vi. Prohibitprivatizationofgrainexportinspections.20

9. USDA’SINFORMATIONMANDATE21

USDAshouldprovideaccurateincomestatisticsforfarmersandranchers.Separationof22

incomelevelsforproducers,landlordsandintegratorswouldpermitmoreaccuratenet23

farmincomesinUSDA’sfarmprojections.24

Aeriallandmapsarevitaltoproducersforproximatelanduse,saleandproductivity.25

ThesemapsshouldbemadeavailablebyUSDAtothepublicforthegainoftheproducer.26

WeopposecharginguserfeesforformerlyfreeUSDAreportsandinformationor27

supplyingthemonlyonapaidbasisbycomputer.28

10. NATIONALORGANICSTANDARDS(ALSOSEEARTICLEI.D.–LABELINGOF29

COMMODITIESANDCOMMODITYPRODUCTS)30

57

NFUrecognizesthegrowingimportanceoforganicfamilyfarming.Organicfarmingisa1

management-intensivemethodofproductiondesignedtoachieveabalanceinthe2

agriculturalandlivestocksystemsimilartothatfoundinnaturalsystems.3

Wesupport:4

i. Theenforcementandmonitoringofthenationalorganicstandardspromulgated5

byUSDA;6

ii. StrictuniformenforcementoftheUSDANationalOrganicProgram(NOP)“1207

daypasturerule”forallcertifiedorganicdairyproducers;8

iii. Ensuringaccreditationandcertificationcostsdonotdiscriminateagainstsmall9

producers,includingsupportandfundingfortheNationalOrganicCertification10

Cost-ShareProgram;11

iv. RequiringUSDAtomaintaintheroleoftheNationalOrganicStandardsBoard12

(NOSB)astheofficialsourceofdevelopingpoliciesandprocedurestointerpret13

andimplementthefederalorganicstandards.Adequatestaffingmustbe14

providedtoenabletheNOSBtofulfillitsobligationtoorganicproducers;15

v. Maintainingorganiclivestockproductionstandardsthatareuniformand16

accountforfeedingandanimalhealthcarepracticesforcontinuousor17

transitionalorganicmanagement;18

vi. Prohibitinggeneticallymodifiedorganisms,irradiation,andtheuseofsewage19

sludgethatcontainsheavymetals;20

vii. Protectingorganicproducersfromchemicaland/orgeneticpollutionand21

providereasonableredressforanydamagecausebythisdrift;22

viii. USDAnegotiatingtradearrangementstoeliminatetheneedforNOP-certified23

U.S.farmerstocertifythroughmultipleinternationalagencies;24

ix. Thecontinueddevelopmentofriskmanagementtoolsfororganic-certifiedcrops25

(alsoseeArticleI.G.2–CropInsuranceandArticleX.B.1–PublicResearch);and26

x. Requiringincreasedmonitoringandtestingoforganicproductsoriginating27

outsidetheUnitedStatestoensurethoseproductscomplywithUSDAorganic28

standards.29

11. PLANTBREEDING30

58

WesupportthemodificationofthePlantVarietyProtectionActof1994intheareaof1

royaltyfees,takingintoconsiderationareasonableperiodoftimeforspecificcommodities2

andbasedonscientificmethods.3

Wesupportimmunityfromlegalactionforgrainhandlersfromconsequencesofthe4

PlantVarietyProtectionActwhenhandlinggrainwithoutafee.5

Wesupportprecisionbreedinginnovationsthatdonotmovegeneticmaterialfromone6

speciestoanother.7

12. PLANTGENETICRESOURCES8

Wesupport:9

i. Enhancinganddiversifyingthegenomeandplantgeneticresourcespools;10

ii. Recognizingfarmers’contributionstothedevelopmentandconservationof11

plantgeneticresourcesbyprotectingfarmers’rights,includingtherighttosave12

seed;and13

iii. Keepingpublicresearchandresearchresultsinthepublicdomainandprotected14

fromacquisitionbycorporationsorotherprivateentitiesattemptingtodevelop15

theirownproductsderivedfrompublicresearchgeneticpools.16

59

ARTICLEII–FAMILYFARMERSANDTECHNOLOGY1

Withthecontinueddevelopmentoftechnology,weasanorganizationareinvestedin2

agricultureandexcitedabouttheseopportunities.Technologywillofferfarmers,ranchersand3

fishersmanyadvantagesbuttherearepossiblerisksthatneedtobeconsidered.4

A. GENETICALLYMODIFIEDORGANISMSANDBIOTECHNOLOGY5

Therightsofbothgeneticallymodifiedorganism(GMO)producersandnon-GMOproducers6

shouldberespectedasappropriateregulatoryagenciescontinuetoresearchandevaluateGMO7

concerns.Allproducersshouldhavetherighttoaccuratelyadvertise,labelandpromote8

products.9

Werespectallnations’sovereigntyandfoodpoliciesandthusurgeopendialogue,10

cooperationandunderstandingintradenegotiationsrelatingtobiotechnology.11

Wesupport:12

1. ThereleaseofnewGMOtraitsafterissuesofcross-pollination,liability,commodity13

andseedstocksegregationandmarketacceptanceareobjectivelyaddressedand14

fairlyresolvedfortheprotectionofallproducersandconsumers.Whilebiotech15

traitsareunderpatent,thepatentholdershouldbepreparedtoindemnifyitstrait16

usersagainstfinancialburdenscausedbyclaims;17

2. Researchconductedinanenvironmentallysecurefacilitybeingexemptfromthe18

aboverequirements.Researchconductedinopenfieldsproductionshouldbe19

subjecttomandatorypublicdisclosureof:personsorentitiesinitiatingtheresearch,20

locationoftestsites,specificspeciesandtraitsinvolvedandthecharacteristicsof21

theintendedresultantgeneticallymodifiedplanttobecreated;22

3. Legislationtoprohibitthepatentingofheritageseedandanimalandbiological23

genetics;24

4. Legislationtoprohibitthereleaseofterminatorseedtechnology;25

5. Therightoffarmerstoplantseedderivedfromproprietaryorganismsontheirown26

land;27

6. NewproductsinvolvingGMOsbeingcertifiedassafebytheFDAintestingdone28

independentlyofthepatentholder,beforebeingallowedonthemarket.Such29

testingistobedoneattheexpenseofthespecificpatentholdersseekingtomarket30

suchproducts;31

60

7. LegislationrequiringthatpatentholdersorownersofGMOtechnologybeheld1

strictlyliablefordamagescausebygenetictrespassincludingsafety,health,2

economic,andenvironmentaleffects.Farmersarenottobeheldliableforfood3

safety,humanhealthorenvironmentalproblems,includingcross-pollination,4

relatedtotheuseofGMOsaslongasgenerallyacceptedcropproductionpractices5

arefollowed;6

8. Congressionalactiontoregulatethebiotechindustry’stechnologyagreements.7

Farmersshouldnothavetosignawaytheirfundamentalrights,includingbutnot8

limitedtoajuryoftheirpeersincourt,inexchangefortheprivilegeofgrowing9

biotechcrops.Grievancesshouldbesettledinthehomestateofthefarmer,notthe10

stateofthebiotechcorporation;11

9. Anydamagescausedtofarmersthroughlowerprices,lostmarkets,or12

contaminationshallbefullyreimbursedtofarmers,includinglegalfees,bythe13

companyproducingthegeneticallymodifiedproduct;14

10. AlldatausedintheanalysisofthehealthandenvironmentaleffectsofGMOsbeing15

publicrecord,andthatcriminalpenaltiesbeestablishedforthewillfulwithholding16

oralteringofsuchdata;17

11. Prohibitinggovernmentregulatoryagenciesfromlicensinggeneticallymodified18

productsthatarenotacceptableforbothhumanconsumptionandanimalfeed;19

12. USDAandFDAimprovingoversightandregulationofpharmacrops.NFUdoesnot20

endorseorsupportpharmafarmingbasedoneconomic,environmental,foodsafety,21

andliabilityriskstoproducersandconsumers;22

13. Requiringgovernmentalregulatoryagenciesandinputsupplierstoensurefarmers23

areinformedofallpotentialmarketrisksandsegregationrequirementsassociated24

withplantinganylicensedgeneticallymodifiedcrop;25

14. RequiringUSDAtofurtherinvestigateandresearchtheeffectsofGMOfeedson26

livestock;27

15. Governmentregulatoryagenciesconsideringdomesticandforeignconsumer28

acceptanceoftheproductwhenlicensing;29

16. RequiringallGMOseedtobeclearlylabeledwiththefollowinginformation:30

i. Markets(foreignordomestic)wheretheproductisnotaccepted;and31

ii. Allplantingrestrictions;32

61

17. Developmentofaverificationsystemandastorage,transportationandmarketing1

plantoaidfarmerswithnon-GMOgrains;2

18. Identity-preservedsystemsandinsisttheyreceiveprotectionfromcross-3

contamination;4

19. Thedevelopmentandimplementationofpatentrules,legislation(i.e.theHatch-5

WaxmanActforpharmaceuticals)orregulations,whichpromoteandmaintainfree6

marketcompetitioninregardtogenericproduction;and7

20. Prohibitingthesaleofseedforpesticideresistantcropsifthepesticideshavenot8

receivedregulatoryapproval9

B. AGRICULTURALTECHNOLOGY10

Wesupport:11

1. TheNebraskaTractorTestLaboratory,theonlyU.S.-approvedOrganizationfor12

EconomicCooperationDevelopmentlaboratoryandtheunbiased,third-party13

testinginformationthatitprovidesatlittleornocosttoU.S.farmerssotheycan14

makeinformedbuyingdecisions.15

2. Thefirst-saledoctrine,wherebyanindividualwhoknowinglypurchasesa16

copyrightedworkfromthecopyrightholderreceivestherighttosell,display,or17

otherwisedisposeofthatparticularcopyandprotectionsnototherwiseavailable18

forlicensees.19

3. FairRepairandRighttoRepairlegislationthatwouldallowfarmersand20

independentmechanicsaccesstodiagnosticsoftware,information,andothertools21

inordertorepairmodernequipment.22

C. INFORMATIONCOLLECTIONANDPROTECTION23

Detailedfielddatashouldonlybecollectedwiththeproducer’sconsentinamannersoas24

to:25

1. Ensuredatacollectedremainthepropertyoftheproducer;26

2. Protectprivacy;27

3. Avoidconsolidationofmarketpower;28

4. Maintaincompetition;and29

5. Preventmanipulatingmarkets.30

62

D. UNMANNEDAERIALVEHICLES(DRONES)1

Wesupport:2

1. Theuseofunmannedaerialvehicles(drones)foragriculturalpurposes,only3

afterlandownerorlandoperatorapproval;and4

2. OpeninguptheNationalAirspaceSystemtoallowdronesforagricultural5

purposes6

Weopposetheuseofdronesforcovertsurveillanceofagriculturaloperations.7

63

ARTICLEIII–AGRICULTURECOMPETITIONANDCONCENTRATION1

Inadequatemarketcompetitionisoneofthemostpressingissuesfacingproducers2

acrossthecountry.Asevidencedbythesharpdeclineinthenumberoffamilyfarmsin3

thepastdecadeandtheincreasingtrendtowardhorizontalandverticalconcentration4

intheagricultureandfoodsector,independentproducerscannotsucceedinthe5

absenceofprotectionfromunfair,anti-competitivepractices.Competitiveprovisions6

shouldbeestablishedthatensurefairness,transparency,protectionandbargaining7

rightsforproducers,andrestoreandenhancecompetitionforagriculturalmarkets.8

Packershavealwayshadtheabilityinmoststatestoownanimalsfortheir9

company’spersonalusewhenthespot/openmarketforliveanimalsfromindependent10

producerswashigherthantheywantedtopay.Byslaughteringtheirownanimalsfor11

daysandevenuptoweeks,thesupplyoflivestockfromindependentproducerswould12

escalate,causingthepriceonthespot/openmarkettodrop.Tofurtherdecreasethe13

competitioninthepackingindustry,thetopfourpackersin2015controlled14

approximately85percentofcattle,66percentofhogs,51percentofbroilers,and5715

percentofturkeys.Economistsstateanyconcentratedmarketpowerover40to6016

percentwoulddemonstratealackofcompetitionincommercewithintherespected17

industry.18

Farmersareoftenincorrectlyblamedforrisingfoodandfiberprices.Retailprices19

aremoreoftendeterminedbyforcesoutsidethecontroloffarmers,ranchers,and20

fishers.Wesupporteffortstoincreasethefarmer’sshareoftheconsumer’sdollar.21

A. COMPETITIONANDANTITRUST22

Wesupportthefollowinginitiativestoachievetruecompetitionforproducersinthe23

marketplace:24

1. Implementationofatemporarymoratoriumonlargeagriculturalmergersto25

provideCongresswithtimetoreviewandstrengthencurrentlawsas26

appropriate;27

2. RequiringUSDAtocollectandpublishconcentrationinformation;28

3. ClarificationofthePackersandStockyardsActtoallowindividualproducers29

toseekrecourseforabuseofmarketpowerwithouthavingtoprove30

competitiveinjurytotheentiremarketplace;31

64

4. RequiringtheJusticeDepartment(DOJ),FederalTradeCommission(FTC),1

andtheSurfaceTransportationBoard(STB)whereapplicabletorequire2

firmstosubmitinformationonjointventuresandalliancesbetweenfirms3

aboveacertainsize.Inmanycases,firmsthatareparticipatinginjoint4

venturearrangementsbehavejustlikefirmsthathavemergedandshouldbe5

subjecttothesamelevelofantitrustscrutinyasmergers.Thedisclosure6

requirementshouldbesetatathresholdsufficienttoincludefirmsthat7

accountforasignificantpercentageofmarketshareataregionallevel;8

5. RequiringtheDOJ,FTC,orSTBtopubliclydisclosewhyamergersubjectto9

antitrustreviewisapproved;10

6. ExpandingtheroleofUSDAtoinitiateand/orparticipateinthereviewof11

proposedmergersintheagriculturalsector;12

7. Requiringeconomicandenvironmentalimpactstatementsdetailingthe13

impactofaproposedmergeronfarmers,ranchers,andconsumerspriorto14

approval;15

8. EstablishinganOfficeofSpecialCounselonCompetitionwithinUSDAto16

streamlineandincreasetheeffectivenessofUSDAinvestigationand17

enforcementofcompetitionlaws;18

9. Establishingalevelofconcentrationthattriggersapresumptionofa19

violationofantitrustlawtomakeiteasierfortheDOJ,FTC,orSTBtoprevent20

highlevelsofconcentration;21

10. Therightofproducerstoholdretailers,distributorsandmanufacturers22

responsibleforpricegouging;23

11. Prohibitingslottingfeesthatprovidewindfallprofitstoretailersandcreatea24

barrierfornewfirmsandproducts;25

12. Atargetpriceprogramonalimitedvolumeofproductionasautomatic26

compensationforlivestockproducerswhenalackofantitrustenforcement27

orunfairimportsdamagetheirmarkets;28

13. Congressrepealingstatutoryprovisionsthatexemptrailroadsfromthe29

antitrustinjunctiveactions,aswellasthejudiciallydevelopedKeogh30

doctrinethatlimitsantitrustdamageremedies;31

65

14. Supportingstateanti-corporateandcontractproducerprotectionlegislation;1

and2

15. Providingstrongprotectiontoemployeesthatreportnon-competitive3

practices.4

B. LIVESTOCKMARKETREFORM5

Wesupportthefollowinginitiativestoreducelivestockmarketconcentrationand6

enhancecompetition:7

1. Restrictionofallformsofdirectandindirectownershiporcontrolof8

agriculturalproductsbyagribusinesses,includingtheprohibitionof9

ownership,controlandfeedingoflivestockbypackingcompanies;10

2. Encouragingdevelopmentoffarmer-ownedcooperativesformarketingand11

processing;12

3. Placingrestrictionsonthepercentageofcaptivesupplyandthatfirm-bid13

pricingbeestablishedinforwardcontractsasdirectedintheCaptiveSupply14

ReformAct;15

4. Makingpermanentthemandatorypricereportinglaw;16

5. Effortstoincreasetransparencyofmandatorypricereportinginformation,17

includingbutnotlimitedto:18

i. Eliminatingorloweringthekillcapacityreportingexemption;19

ii. Regularreportingafterthefact,evenwhenaproprietaryexemption20

precludespriceandvolumereportingonadailybasis;and21

iii. Enhancingthereporteddatetobeuserfriendly.22

6. Protectingthelivestockproducersfromunfaircompetitionandmonopolistic23

practicesbystrengtheningthedefinitionofthePackersandStockyardsAct.24

Alllivestockproducersshouldhaveequalaccesstomarketsthatdonot25

discriminateagainstfamily-farmlivestockproducers;and26

7. Enactinglegislationthatclearlydefinesandprohibitsvolume-basedprice27

discriminationinlivestockmarkets28

C. POULTRYMARKETREFORM29

WesupportenactinglegislationtogiveUSDA’sGrainInspection,Packers,and30

StockyardsAdministration(GIPSA)fullenforcementoverpoultry.Wealsorecommend31

fortheprotectionofpoultrygrowers:32

66

1. ExtensionoftheprotectionofthePackersandStockyardsActtoproducers1

whogrowandcareforbreederhens,pulletsandcommercialeggs,notjust2

broilers;3

2. ModificationstoregulationsunderthePackersandStockyardsActthat4

governintegratorfair-tradepracticesandstrengthentheenforcement5

mechanismstherein,including,butnotlimitedto,regulationsto:6

i. Prohibitcompaniesfromretaliatingagainstproducersforspeaking7

outaboutproblemsintheindustryorabouttheircontracts,orfor8

attemptingtoorganizeotherproducerstonegotiateasagroupfor9

bettercontractterms;10

ii. Prohibitcompaniesfromrequiringproducerstomakeunnecessary11

upgradestotheirfacilitiesunlessthecompanypaysforthecostsof12

thoseupgrades;13

iii. Reformthesystemusedtopayproducer,i.e.therankingsystem,to14

assurethatproducersarenotpenalizedforinputscontrolledbythe15

company,andthatthereisfulltransparencyinthefactorsusedto16

calculatetheproducers’payment;17

iv. Prohibitcompaniesfromcancellingaproducer’scontractorreducing18

thenumberoflivestockunitsplacedontheirfarmbasedsolelyonthe19

failureoftheproducertomakeequipmentchanges,solongas20

existingequipmentisingoodworkingorder;and21

v. Requiretheproductioncontractsbelongenoughintermtoallow22

producerstorecouptheirinvestments.23

3. Enactmentofstatelegislationwhichbetterdefinescontractproductionfor24

growingarrangements;and25

4. Requiringintegratorstoprovideanaccuratecash-flowanalysistonew26

poultrycontractoperations.27

D. PRODUCTIONCONTRACTING28

Currentlawfallsshortofensuringfairnessandprotectionforproducersunder29

contract.Wesupportthefollowinginitiatives/legislationtoenhancecontractproducer30

protection:31

67

1. StrengtheningtheAgriculturalFairPracticesActtoprovideimproved1

protectionforcontractproducers;2

2. ImplementationofallGIPSAprovisionsincludingdisclosureofcontract3

clausesforfarmerswhocontract,therighttodiscussthecontractwiththeir4

lawyer,financialadvisororfamilymember;5

3. Requiringcontractsandcontractrightstobewritteninplainlanguageand6

discloseriskstoproducers;7

4. Providingcontractproducersthreedaystoreviewandcancelproduction8

contracts;9

5. Providingproducerswithafirst-prioritylienforpaymentsdueunder10

contracts;11

6. Protectingproducersfromcontractterminationorpricereductionbecause12

of:13

i. Retaliationpurposes,14

ii. Inadequateorfaultyinputs/servicesprovidedbycontractor,and15

iii. Denyingopportunitytoremediateproblemsrelatedtoproduction16

specifications;17

7. Makingitanunfairpracticeforprocessorstoretaliateordiscriminate18

againstproducerswhoexerciserightsundertheproposedlegislation;19

8. Authorizingproducerbargainingtoencouragecontractproducerstoform20

collectivebargainingunitstonegotiatewithintegrators;21

9. Prohibitingtheuseofmandatoryarbitrationclausesinlivestockandpoultry22

contractstoassurethatfarmershaveadequateaccesstojusticeintheevent23

offraud,misrepresentation,breachofcontractorothercontractdisputes24

withaprocessororintegrator.Arbitrationshouldbeavoluntarymechanism25

fordisputeresolutionagreedtobybothpartiesafteradisputearises;26

10. Prohibitingcontractsinvolvingagproducersfromcontaininglanguagethat27

prohibitsatrialbyjury;and28

11. Publicizingandwidelydistributingeducationalmaterialsregardingthe29

rightsofcontractproducers.30

E. PROFIT-TAKINGBYMANUFACTURERSOFFARMINPUTS31

68

Wecallforallfarmersandmember-drivenand–controlledcooperativestoplace1

pressureandinfluenceonmanufacturersoffarminputs,whoselevelofprofitability2

comesattheexpenseoffarmers.3

69

ARTICLEIV–INTERNATIONALTRADE,COOPERATION,ANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

Futuretradeagreementsmustbedesignedtopromoterurallivelihoodsbyensuring2

fairmarketreturnsforproducersandproductionofsafe,qualityfoodforconsumers.3

Thus,futuretradeagreementsmustnotbelimitedtoregulatingdomesticsupport4

levels,exportsubsidies,andmarketaccess.Rather,everyfuturetradeagreementmust5

addressdifferencesinlaborstandards,environmentalstandards,healthstandards,and6

thetrade-distortingeffectofcurrencymanipulationandcartelizationofagriculture7

markets.8

ThemeasureofthesuccessofatradeagreementhastobeitsbenefittoU.S.9

agricultureandspecificallyofitsproducers’netincome.Vaguepromisesof“market10

access”toforeignmarketsdonotoffsetopeningourbordersforevenlargeramountsof11

foreign-producedgoodstoenterourmarkets.Marketaccessdoesnotequalmarket12

share.NFUsupportsthefederalgovernmentconductingaformalandthoroughanalysis13

ofcurrentagriculturaltradeagreementstodeterminetheirsuccessatmeetingtheir14

promisedgoalsbeforeanynewtradeagreementsarenegotiatedorproposed.15

Companieswhorepeatedlysendbannedproductstocountrieswithspecified16

requirementsandstandardsforimportsshouldbeheldliableformarketlossesby17

producersresultingfromtheshipment.18

Ourtradenegotiatorsneedtorecognizethatfoodsecurityisnon-negotiablefor19

manytradingpartners,andthattheywillneveragreetogiveusfullmarketaccess.20

A. AGRICULTURALTRADENEGOTIATIONS21

Fairtrade,notfreetrade,holdsthepotentialtoincreasefamilyfarmprofitability22

andU.S.foodsecurity,buttradebyitselfisonlyonetool.Increatingafairagricultural23

tradeenvironment,wesupporttheinclusionofthefollowinggoals,objectives,and24

provisionsinU.S.tradepolicyandininternationaltradenegotiationsandagreements25

that:26

1. Requireallcountriestomeethealth,environmental,foodsovereignty,27

workingconditions,andlaborrightsstandardsequaltothoseofproducers28

intheUnitedStates;29

2. AllowU.S.producerstherighttodistinguishtheirproductsfromthoseof30

othercountries.U.S.productsshouldnotbecategorizedjustasNorth31

Americanproducts;32

70

3. Callforaformalandthoroughanalysisofcurrentagriculturaltrade1

agreementstodeterminetheirsuccessatmeetingtheirstatedgoalsbefore2

anynewbilateralorregionaltradeagreementsarenegotiatedorapproved;3

4. Addressdomesticfoodsafety,security,andinadequateeconomicreturnsto4

producersresultingfrommarketfailure,lackofmarketcompetition,andan5

imbalanceinsupplyanddemand;6

5. Ensureglobalfoodsecurityandsafety,includingtheeliminationofunilateral7

sanctionsonagriculturalandpharmaceuticalproducts;8

6. Enhanceproducerreturns,economicdevelopment,andindividualstandards9

ofliving;10

7. Fostertheeconomicandresourcesustainabilityandefficiencyoffood11

productionanddistributionsystems;12

8. Achieveanequitabledistributionandbalanceofthecosts/benefitsof13

agriculturaltradeamongallparticipants,includingproducersand14

consumers;15

9. Acknowledgeandaccommodatethemulti-functionalityofagriculture,16

includingnon-economicconsiderationsofvaluetoproducersand17

consumers;18

10. Diminishpovertyandhunger;19

11. DonotundermineU.S.laws,jurisdictionorsovereigntyofacountryandits20

politicalsubdivisions;21

12. Arenegotiatedandenactedthroughatransparentdemocraticprocess;22

13. Provideconsumerswithanadequate,high-quality,safeandaffordable23

supply;24

14. Generatereasonableratesofreturntoagriculturalproducersby25

coordinatingeffortstoreducedumping,balancesupplyanddemand,share26

responsibilitytoprovidenutritionassistanceandmaintainanoptimallevel27

ofbufferstocksforfoodsecurity;28

15. AllowtheUnitedStatestoimposetraderemediesagainstnationsusing29

currencymanipulationtogainanunfairtradeadvantage;30

16. Haveaspeedyandfairmethodofresolvingdisputesamongtrading31

partners;32

71

17. AdvocateforthereformoftheWTOadjudicationprocesssothatcasesare1

decidedbyanindependentandunbiasedjudiciary;2

18. Allowflexibilityforindividualnationstoprovideeconomicsafetynet3

programsandaddressunforeseenproduction,market,andtrade4

circumstances;5

19. Encourageabalanceofincreasedandtransparentmarketcompetition,limits6

ontheconcentrationofmarketpowerandcoordinatedpubliccompetition7

policytoensuretheefficientandappropriateallocationofresourceswithin8

allagriculturalsectors;9

20. Maximizetheopportunityforindividualandcooperativeparticipationinall10

segmentsofagriculture;11

21. Createaneffective,efficient,timelyandtransparentimplementation,12

compliance,anddisputeresolutionprocess;13

22. Preventfurtherconversionofrainforeststoproductionagricultureto14

preservetheiressentialbiodiversityandtheirvitalroleincarbon15

sequestrationandtheglobalclimatesystem;16

23. Publishmeaningful,current,andstandardizedreportsonimportsofdairy17

products,quantitiesandtypes,andaUSDAreportontheimpactoftheWTO18

ondairyproducers;19

24. Establishtariffsonforeignimportsofalldairyingredientsthatdisplace20

domesticallyproducedmilkusageincludinganimalfeedingredients;21

25. UseGSM-102exportcreditguarantees;and22

26. FurtherutilizetheMarketAccessProgram(MAP)andForeignMarket23

Development(FMD)program.24

Wesupportthefollowingcurrentnegotiatingtopics:25

1. Unified,worldwideeliminationofexportsubsidies;26

2. Increasedtransparencyandmarketdisciplinesofstatetradingenterprises;27

3. Greaterequityandbalanceinagriculturaltariffandtariffratequotaregimes;28

4. Developmentofanimprovedandmoreinclusivemethodologyformeasuring29

thelevelandimpactofdomesticsupportprograms,includinggreenbox30

supportsandeffectivesubsidiesconveyedthroughmonetarypolicyand31

laborandenvironmentalregulation;32

72

5. Therightsofcountriestoaddressthecircumventionoftariffsandtariffrate1

quotasbytradingpartners;2

6. Theneedtoprovideconsumerinformation(labeling)onagricultural3

productsasameanstoaddressfoodsafetyconcernsandenhancemarket4

access;5

7. Nationalflexibilityinthedesignandimplementationofdomesticsupport6

programswithinreasonablenegotiatedlimitssuchastheTradeAdjustment7

Assistanceprogram;8

8. Cooperativedevelopment,implementationandenforcementofcompetition9

policies;10

9. Utilizationofend-usecertificatestomonitortheflowofallagricultural11

imports;and12

10. Allowingcountriestorestricttheimportofagriculturalcommoditiesthatare13

contaminatedorinfectedwithdiseaseorothertoxicornoxiousorganisms14

thatthreatendomesticproductionand/orfoodsafety.15

Weoppose:16

1. Eliminationoftariffs,tariffratequotasanddomestictraderemediesutilized17

tocountertheeffectsofdumpingandotherunfairtradepractices,including18

theuseofmonetary,labor,andenvironmentalregulationsthatcreate19

competitivetradeadvantages;20

2. Eliminationof“credit”forsupplymanagementprograms(bluebox);21

3. Requirementsthatdomesticsupportprogramsbede-coupled;and22

4. Importationofagriculturalproductsfromcountriesthatdonotgrowor23

producesuchproducts.24

B. TRADEPROMOTIONAUTHORITY(FAST-TRACK)25

WesupporttheimmediaterepealofTradePromotionAuthority(TPA).26

Weoppose:27

1. Fast-tracknegotiatingauthorityforthepresident;and28

2. Thefast-tracksystemofratificationoftradeagreementsinwhichtheentire29

tradepackagemustbeapprovedwithoutamendmentorrejectedintotalby30

Congress.31

73

Congressshouldhavefullopportunitytoreviewandamendprovisionsofatrade1

agreement,consistentwiththeauthorityandpowerendowedbytheU.S.Constitution.2

Becauseagricultureisonlyoneareaconsideredinthetradeagreementnegotiation,3

fast-trackcouldeasilysweepagriculturalconcernsaside.4

C. FAIRANDTRANSPARENTTRADEPRACTICES5

U.S.productsenteringintointernationaltradearesubjecttovariouspotential6

exclusionarymechanisms,impediments,andmanipulations.Thesebarrierstofairtrade7

includetariffs,unnecessaryphyto-sanitaryrequirements,arbitrarilyadjustedexchange8

rates,prejudiciallyappliedborderandvalue-addedtaxes,aswellasselectivelyapplied9

localtaxesandregulationsspecificallydesignedtopreventfairandequitabletreatment10

ofourproducts.Theseunfairtradepracticesareasignificanteconomicburdenon11

domesticproducers.Therefore,wesupport:12

1. Anti-dumpingpetitionsonbehalfofallU.S.producers;13

2. Creationandimplementationofa“greentariff”tobeimposedonall14

importedgoodsandservicesproducedorcreatedunderlessrestricting15

environmentalconstraintsthanthoseoriginatingfromU.S.sources;16

3. Conductingadequatesupplychainauditsinordertoidentifysourcesof,and17

seeksolutionsto,uncompetitivepracticesthatinfluencepricetothefinal18

consumer;19

4. Re-establishmentoftheByrdAmendment;and20

5. TheU.S.TradeRepresentativeinvestigatingcountriesforrevocationof21

GeneralizedSystemofPreferences(GSP)benefitsfromcountriesthatmay22

nolongerqualifyforprogrammingandsupportingtheU.S.Congresslooking23

intothewaythatothercountriessubsidizeagricultureanditsdetrimental24

effectsonU.S.farmers.25

D. HEALTHANDINSPECTIONSTANDARDSFORFOODANDFIBERIMPORTS26

WebelievethatfoodimportsposeamuchgreaterfoodsafetythreattoAmerican27

consumersthandomesticfood.Onlyaminimalamountoffoodimportsarephysically28

inspected,andofthosewhichareinspected,manyarerejectedforreasonsrangingfrom29

mislabelingofresiduestopesticidesbannedforuseinthiscountry.Wesupport:30

74

1. IncreasedfundingandnumberofinspectorsfortheAgricultureQuarantine1

InspectionsProgramandtransferinspectorsbacktoUSDAfromDepartment2

ofHomelandSecurity(DHS);3

2. Prohibitingtheexportofchemicalsnotregisteredforfoodandfiberusesin4

theUnitedStatesforfoodandfiberusesinothercountries;5

3. Strictmonitoringofimportstopreventimportationofresiduesofchemicals6

bannedintheUnitedStatesforfoodandfiber;7

4. Requiringallimportedfood,feed,fiber,milkproteinconcentrate(MPC)and8

animalproductsandby-productstomeetthesamefoodsafetyand9

inspectionstandardsasthoserequiredfordomesticproducts.Importsthat10

donotmeetthesestandardsshallbeappropriatelylabeled;11

5. Processingfacilitiesforsuchimportedproductsshouldbeinspectedatleast12

annually.Foodproductsfromthatfacilityshouldbelabeledassuch,evenif13

theproductoriginatedintheU.S.;14

6. Requiringinspectionbecontinuousandthorough,notjustanoccasional,15

minorsampling.Productsthatfailinspectionshouldbecondemnedandnot16

allowedasecondopportunitytoenterourcountry;17

7. Expensesforallinspectionscomingfromfeesontheimportedproductspaid18

bytheexporteratthepointoforigin;and19

8. ImplementingincreasedUSDA,FoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)and20

customsinspectionandregulationofcasein,milkderivativesandmilk21

adhesivesimportedforfooduse.22

E. CHINATRADE23

WesupportannualreviewsoftheimpactofthePermanentNormalTradeRelations24

(PNTR)forChinatodocumentitseffectonU.S.farmers.Suchreviewsshouldalso25

addresswhetherChina:26

1. RatifiesandenforcesallpendingUnitedNationscovenantsonhumanrights;27

2. Developsahistoryofactuallycomplyingwithinternationaltrade28

agreements;29

3. Enactsandenforcesrulesthatprotectindividualrights,establishes30

appropriateenvironmentalstandardsandfostersfairtrade;and31

75

4. Enactsandenforcesfoodandproductsafetystandardsequaltothose1

requiredofproducersintheUnitedStates.2

Weopposetradeprovisionsthatpittheagriculturalsectoragainsttheindustrialor3

manufacturingsectors(alsoseeArticleIII.A–AgriculturalTradeNegotiations).4

F. INTERNATIONALFOODASSISTANCE5

Everyoneshouldhavetherighttohaveaccesstosafeandnutritionalfood.We6

supportthefollowingprovisionstoenhanceinternationalfoodassistance:7

1. FundingforfoodaidprogramsbeusedtopurchaseU.S.-producedfoodwhen8

in-countrylocalfoodisunavailable;9

2. Foodanddevelopmentalaidforthosehereandabroadwhoarepoor,and10

certainlyforthoseendangeredbyfamine,toassuretheirsurvivalandwell-11

being;12

3. Providingavailablemeansandagenciestosupplythenecessaryfood;13

4. Emphasizingdistributionoffoodonceitreachesrecipients’country;14

5. Providingdonationsofhigh-qualitycommoditiesinsteadofusingpoverty-15

strickennationsasadumpinggroundforpoor-qualitygrains;16

6. AdequatefundingoftheMcGovern-DoleInternationalFoodforEducation17

andChildNutritionprogram;18

7. ContinuedworkwithCAREandotherhungerandagriculturalorganizations19

tosupporteconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesforpeopleinless-20

developedcountries.21

8. ForfeitedgrainfromNon-recourseMarketingAssistanceLoansbereverted22

backtotheUSDAtobeusedforoverseasreliefpackagestothirdworld23

countries;24

9. Developmentofaworldfood/grainreservethatisstructuredastonot25

depresspricesordiscouragefoodproductionindevelopingcountries;and26

10. ContinuedsupportofP.L.480aslongasfoodaidisnotusedforpolitical27

objectives.28

WeopposethemonetizationofU.S.foodaidtopurchasefoodcommoditiesfor29

developingcountrieswhenadequatesuppliesofU.S.-producedfoodsareavailable.30

G. WORLDFARMERSORGANIZATION(WFO)31

76

AsafoundingmemberoftheWorldFarmersOrganization(WFO),webelievethat1

WFOplaysavitalroleinprovidingtheworld’sfarmerswithaforuminwhichto2

exchangeideasandinformation,notonlyaboutfarmingtechniques,butpoliciesthat3

affectfarmers’economicwell-beinganddailylives.4

WeurgeWFOtobeanactiveadvocatefortheworld’sfarmers.5

H. POLICIESTOWARDDEVELOPINGNATIONS6

Wesupport:7

1. TheuseoftheUnitedStates’economicstrength,incooperationwithour8

privatesectorandothernations,topromotetheeconomicdevelopmentof9

less-developednations;10

2. EndingtheembargoandestablishingfairtraderelationswithCuba;11

3. Respectingthefoodsovereigntyofdevelopingcountriesbynotundercutting12

thepriceoflocalstaples;and13

4. Theadequatecompensationofindigenouspeoplesfortheconsumptionof14

theirresources.15

Weoppose:16

1. Thedumpingofagriculturalproductsindevelopingcountrieswhichputs17

localfarmersoutofbusinessanddestabilizeslocaleconomies;18

2. Theforcedremovalofindigenouspeoplesfromtheirtraditionalhomelands;19

and20

3. Theexploitationofdevelopingcountriesthroughforcingthemtoabandon21

theirowndomesticfoodsecuritypoliciesand/orindigenousseedstocksand22

foods.23

I. FARMERSANDFARMYOUTHEDUCATIONALEXCHANGEPROGRAMS24

Sinceabetterunderstandingofagricultureandtradecanhelppromoteamore25

peacefulandprosperousworld,webelievethateducationalexchangeprograms26

includingfarmers,farmleaders,andfarmyouthsshouldbeencouraged. 27

77

ARTICLEV–CREDITANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

Werecognizethatagriculturaldebtwillcontinuetobeaproblemuntilthereisa2

genuineandlastingimprovementinfarmincomeopportunities.Wesupport:3

1. TheeffortsoftheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureautomonitorandact4

onavailabilityofloansandtransparencyofloanservicingactivities;5

2. Policiesthatensureequalaccesstocredit,regardlessofgender,race,orage;6

3. Afarmcreditpolicythatisadequatelyfinancedandthatincludestheuseof7

third-partylendingagenciestohelpre-establishAmerica’sfamilyfarmsand8

providespecialassistancetobeginningandsociallydisadvantagedfarmers;9

4. TheFederalAgriculturalMortgageCorporation(FarmerMac)tocontinueas10

aviablesourceoflong-term,fixed-ratecreditforfamilyfarmers.FarmerMac11

shouldbemonitoredtoensurethatitfollowstheintentofCongressand12

helpsfamilyfarmers,ratherthantransferringtheownershipoflandto13

corporateinvestors.FarmerMacshouldnotbeusedtoweakenstate14

borrowerprotectionlawsorpenalizeborrowerswhomakeprepayments.15

Congressshouldamendthestatutetostreamlinetheoperatingstructureand16

eliminateprovisionsthatreduceFarmerMac’sefficiencyinprovidingloan17

productswithcompetitiveinterestratestofamilyfarmersandranchers;18

5. TheFederalFinancingBank,toexpediteinsuredandguaranteedloan19

programsandopposeanyattemptstoreducethevolumeofthebank,which20

wouldpushborrowersintoprivatesectorcredit;21

6. FamilyfarmersbeingeligibleforSmallBusinessAdministrationloansthat22

areavailabletootherbusinessesatlowinterestrates;23

7. Cooperativecreditunions,initiativestoallowfarmerinvestmentsintocredit24

unionsandallowingfarmerstoobtainagriculturalcreditfromcreditunions;25

8. FarmersUnionorganizationsaggressivelyformingandfurtheringcredit26

unionsandpromotinglegislationontheirbehalf;27

9. “AggieBond”programsallowedunderfederallawbeingenactedbystate28

andlocalgovernments.Theseprogramsshouldnotbeusedforloansfor29

contractproductionunlessthecontractisapprovedasaUSDAmodel30

contract;31

78

10. Thecontinuation,funding,andexpansionoftheCertifiedAgriculture1

MediationProgram(CAMP),andextensionoftheprogramauthorizing2

matchinggrantstostateswithqualifiedmediationprograms;3

11. MaintainingChapter12aspartofpermanentbankruptcylaw,reformingthe4

filingprocessandencouragingeducationaleffortstofarmersabouttheir5

rightsunderChapter12;6

12. Taxamnestyfortaxesimposedonfamily-sizedfarmsandranchoperators7

whofacetaxliabilitiesafterrestructuringorforcedsales;protectingthe8

interestsandrightsofborrowers,lenders,andtaxpayersthroughtheproper9

andconsistentimplementationofexistinglegislation;prohibitingadebtorto10

reorganizeintoalarger-than-family-farm-sizeunit;andencouragingall11

optionsbemadeavailableforFSAborrowerswithsharedappreciation12

agreements,duetoartificiallyinflatedlandvalues;13

13. Specialattentiongiventothecreditneedsofsurvivingspousesoffarmers14

whowanttocontinuefarming;and15

14. Requiringbanks,creditunions,andotherfinancialinstitutionstopublish16

andidentify,independentlyofinterestrate,anyadditionaldiscounts,17

whetheradditionalpointsorcreditratedecreaseorincreasebasedonother18

businesswiththeinstitution,includingcropinsurance.19

A. FARMSERVICEAGENCY(FSA)CREDITPROGRAMS20

Guaranteedloanprogramshavenotandcannotbecomeaviablesubstitutefor21

directlending.Wesupport:22

1. Emphasizingadequatefundingfordirect-lendingprogramsforfarm23

ownershipandoperatingexpensestobeginningandsocially-disadvantaged24

familyfarmers(alsoseeArticleI.B.5.–BeginningFarmersandRanchers);25

2. Increasingthemaximumloanamountstoreflectlandvaluesandprovide26

opportunitiesforadditionalfamilyfarmers;27

3. Aconsistent,sufficientfundingmechanismensuringloanfundingallocations28

areavailabletoallapprovedFSAloansinatimelyfashion;29

4. Increasingemergencyfundingsothatitisavailableonatimelybasis;30

5. Encouragingthesecretaryofagriculturetoseekthenecessaryauthorityto31

increasethemaximumleveloffederalemergencyfarmoperatingloansthat32

79

maybemadeavailabletoproducerswhohavesufferedmultipleyearsof1

weather-relateddisasters;2

6. Educatingborrowersonsoundfarmmanagementprinciplesinaneffortto3

reduceforeclosurerates.Borrowertrainingshouldbeprovidedbyexisting4

programs,includingFarmBusinessManagementandCooperativeExtension;5

7. Permittingtheguaranteeofloansforstockpurchasesinthefarmer-owned,6

value-addedcooperative,aslongasthecooperativecandemonstrateits7

feasibility;8

8. Allowingproducerswhohaveuseddebtrestructuringtobeeligibleforall9

federalloans,includingFSAandemergencyloans;10

9. Processingapplicationsforcreditandappealsinatimelymannertomeet11

productiondemands;12

10. Notgarnishingfederalfarmprogrampaymentstopaydelinquentfarmcredit13

paymentsexceptincasesofdelinquencyinexcessof3yearswithoutloan14

restructuring;15

11. Streamlininganddigitizingloanprogramsand/orappealsprocess;16

12. Implementingdebtrestructuring,includingdebtforgiveness,asequitablyas17

possibleandallowingadditionalrestructuringtobeconsidered;18

13. ContinuingtoenabletheUSDANationalAppealsDivision(NAD)tobean19

independentandfairforumforagriculturalproducers,asintendedby20

Congress,andbethefinaldecisiononproducerappealscases;21

14. Increasingconsistencyandeducationonthecountyandstateappeals22

processandFSAservicingresponsibilitiestotheborrower;23

15. Prohibitingtheuseofprivatecollectionagenciesandoffsetsofincometax24

refundstorecoveroutstandingdebtfromborrowerswhovoluntarily25

liquidatetheirassets;26

16. Eliminationoftermlimitsfornon-delinquentborrowers;27

17. Prohibitingtheimpositionoflong-termorpermanentwildlifeor28

conservationeasementsonlandacquiredbyFSAforeclosures;and29

18. EstablishingarevolvingloanpoolforallFarmServiceAgency(FSA)loansto30

ensureloanrepaymentiscreditedtotheFSAbudget.31

B. FARMCREDITSYSTEM32

80

TheFarmCreditSystem(FCS)shouldfollowitsoriginalpurpose-keepingthe1

familyfarmerontheland-byactivelyprovidingcredittoallfamilyfarmswithintheir2

district,regardlessofsize,andmaintainingfarmer-electedcontrolofFCSboards.3

Wesupport:4

1. ProhibitingdifferentialinterestratesforFCSmember-borrowersbecause5

theyarecontrarytocooperativeprinciples;6

2. Aninvestigationofthediscriminatoryeffectsofdifferentialinterestrates;7

3. LocalcontrolandparticipationofallFCSassociationsandbankswhile8

remainingontheforefrontofgoodgovernancepracticestokeepthesystem9

viableforproducersinthefuture;10

4. AllFCSdirectors,officers,andbondholderstotaketheleadinadvocating11

improvedfarmincomeasthebasicmeansofrepayingfarmdebtand12

securingtheFCS;13

5. FCSenforcementofregulationsgoverningtheborrowers’rightssectionsof14

theAgriculturalCreditActof1987,includingtheuseofcease-and-desist15

powerswhennecessary;16

6. CongressgivingpastandpresentFCSborrowerstherighttopursue17

litigationagainstFCSinstitutionstheyhavedonebusinesswith;18

7. FCScontinuingtobetheprimarysourceforfinancialservicesforfarmer19

cooperativesandtheirassociatedbusinesses.Wecalluponmember20

cooperativestoensurethattheseinstitutionsremainfarmer-controlled;21

8. PreventingFCSinstitutionsfrombeingsoldtooutsideentities,thereby22

exitingthesystem.Theabilitytoexitthesystemnegatesthebenefitsof23

farmercontrolandmakesitdifficulttoreplacetheservicesmandatedbythe24

AgriculturalCreditAct;25

9. ExpandingFCSlendingauthorityonlytotheextentitdirectlybenefitsfamily26

farmers,ranchers,andruralcommunities.Expandedlendingauthoritymust27

supportdomesticinvestmentsandoperations;28

10. FCSmaximizingthepatronageanddividenddistributiontoitsborrower-29

memberssotheyhaveaccesstotheFCScapitaltheyhelpedtocreate;30

11. Fullaccesstoruralcreditforfarmers,ranchers,fishers,andthecommunities31

inwhichtheylive.Weareparticularlyconcernedaboutthelackofavailable32

81

creditinruralareaswithhighunemployment,including,butnotlimitedto1

NativeAmericanReservations;2

12. Competitioninlendingtoallowcreditoptionsforourmembers;3

13. JurisdictionoftheFCSremainingundertheauthorityoftheU.S.Houseand4

SenateAgricultureCommittees;and5

14. Farmersandranchersgivenfirstchoicetopurchaseanyforeclosedor6

financiallydistressedfarmlandunderFCSjurisdiction.7

C. COOPERATIVEFINANCING8

Cooperativesarespecialbusinessentities,whichareuniqueinnatureandhave9

uniqueneeds.Cooperativefinancinginstitutionsneedtoprovidefinancialservicesand10

investmentfinancingnecessarytoassistestablishedcooperativesinre-toolingtomeet11

changingtimesinthemarkets,andtoparticipateinnewopportunitiestoservicerural12

communitiesandtheirfamilyfarmerandrancherowners.13

Thesecooperativefinancinginstitutionsneedtoestablishaprogramtoassist14

farmersandranchersandtheirruralcommunitiesbyprovidingriskcapitaltostartnew15

cooperativeventures.Theprogramshouldalsoprovidefinancialgrantstonew16

cooperativesforin-depthtrainingoftheirrespectiveboardofdirectors.17

TheNationalCooperativeBankisanimportantfinancialresourceforruraland18

urbanconsumercooperativesandweencouragethebanktoplacegreateremphasison19

rurallending.20

82

ARTICLEVI–FARMCOOPERATIVESANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

Farmer-ownedcooperativesareeffectiveinstitutionsthroughwhichthefarmercan2

reducecostsofproduction,maintainareliablesourceofinputs,andeffectivelymarket3

andprocessfarmproducts.4

NFUencouragesitsmembersandorganizationstoprovideleadershipinthe5

patronage,direction,operation,anddevelopmentofcooperativeenterprises,andinthe6

educationofmembersandthepublicastocooperativephilosophyandprinciples.7

A. COOPERATIVELAW8

Federallawprovidesafundamentaleconomicrighttoindividualfarmers,tojoin9

togetherincooperativesassociationsforthepurposesofpricing,processing,marketing,10

transporting,andsellingtheirproducts,andbargainingwithprocessorsandhandlers11

forpricesandothertermsofsale,withoutbeingsubjecttoprosecutionunderantitrust12

laws.Thisisarightforfarmersasindividualsandnotthecooperativesthatthey13

establish.14

ThebasiccooperativeauthoritiesaresetforthintheClaytonActof1914,the15

Capper-VolsteadActof1922(allowingagriculturalproducerassociations),the16

CooperativeMarketingAgreementActof1926,theAgriculturalMarketingActof1929,17

theAgriculturalMarketingActof1937,andotherstatutes,includingthosethatdeal18

withthestatusofcooperativesunderthefederaltaxsystem.Theselawsarevital.19

Governmentpoliciesandprogramsshouldhelptobetterdevelop,protect,advance,20

andpromotefarmercooperatives’roleinassembling,processing,selling,marketing,21

anddistributingfarmcommoditiesandservices.Weopposeanyattempttorevise22

cooperativelaws,administrativelyorlegislatively,thatwoulddiminishorjeopardize23

thedemocraticnatureofcooperatives,theiruniquegovernancestructure,andabilityto24

maintainfinancialandethicalintegrity.25

Weopposenewstatelawsthatallowsupposed“cooperatives”tostructureventures26

withnon-producersinwaysthatgivetheoutsidervotingcontrolofthecombined27

entity.WesupporttheeffortsoftheNationalConferenceofCommissionersonUniform28

StateLaws(NCCUSL)tofashionalimitedcooperativeassociationactthat,while29

allowingoutsideinvestment,stillprotectsthedemocraticnatureandinterestsof30

producersandconsumersinvolvedinthecooperativeassociation.31

B. ROCHDALEPRINCIPLES32

83

WereaffirmourbeliefinthebasicRochdalePrinciplesofcooperationthatwere1

designedtoensuredemocraticcontrolofthebusinessbyitsmembersandthatthe2

membersreceivetheprimarybenefitsoftheircooperativeenterprise,including:3

1. Onevotepermember,regardlessofthevolumeofbusinessdonebythe4

member,withnoproxyvoting;5

2. Eliminationofblocvoting;6

3. Directorselectedbyactivemembers;7

4. Savings/earningsofthecooperativedistributedbacktothemember-usersin8

proportiontothemembers’patronagevolume;9

5. Limitedinterest/dividendsoninvestedcapital;10

6. Salesatcompetitiveprices,andtradingnormallyconductedonacashbasis;11

7. Openmembershiptoallwhosharethecommonbondandobjectiveofthe12

co-op;13

8. Acontinuouscooperativeeducationprogramtoteachcooperative14

philosophy,principlesandoperation,fundedbyfivepercentofa15

cooperative’snetmargin;and16

9. Cooperativesworkingforthesustainabledevelopmentoftheircommunities17

throughpoliciesacceptedbytheirmembers.18

C. ADDITIONALPRINCIPLES19

Tofurtherthecooperativemovement,wesupport:20

1. CooperativesreturningtotheoriginalintentionofCapper-Volstead,which21

allowscooperativestocollectivelyprocess,prepareforthemarket,handle,22

andmarketininterstatecommerce;23

2. Prohibitionofcooperativesengagingindomesticandforeignagricultural24

productionactivities,includinglandownershipindirectcompetitionwith25

agriculturalproducers;26

3. Therightsofcooperativememberstoorganizeandoperateregionaland27

interregionalcooperatives(marketingagenciesincommon)ortomerge28

withothercooperativeassociationsandnotberestrictedbylawor29

governmentregulation;30

84

4. Exhaustingalloptionsofmaintaininglocalcontrol,includingmergerorjoint1

ventureswithanearbycooperative,beforealocalco-opisabsorbedbya2

regionalcooperative;3

5. Encouraginglocalmembersornearbycooperativeassociationsto4

repurchasealocalfacilitythathasbeenabsorbedbyaregionalcooperative;5

6. Encouragingregionalboardstoworkwithlocalcooperativestohelpthem6

operateforthebenefitofmembers;7

7. Opposingmergersorjointventuresbetweenregionalcooperativesand8

multinationalcorporationsunlesssuchamergerorjointventurewould9

benefitlocalcooperativemembers;10

8. Requiringbusinessentitiestoprovidememberswith“duediligence”11

informationthatistimelyandadequatebeforevotingonamergerbetween12

twoormorecooperatives;13

9. Cooperativemembersgivingseriousconsiderationtothelong-term14

consequencesofsellingacooperativetoprivateentitiesforshort-term15

gains;16

10. IndividualFarmersUnionmemberstakingresponsibilitytobefull17

participantsandpatronsinthecooperativemovementandtobuildcloser18

relationshipsbetweentheirfarmorganizationandtheircooperatives;19

11. Encouragingcooperativesbenefittingfromnontraditionalincomeinevents,20

suchaslitigation,toexpeditiouslydistributetheproceedstoallrelevant21

parties;22

12. Discouragingthepracticeofallowingindividuals,otherthan“atrisk”23

producers,toacquiredirectionalstatusinaproducercooperative.Statusof24

such“otherindividuals”shouldbelimitedtonon-votingandadvisoryroles;25

13. Traditionalfarmer-ownedcooperativeslendingtheirexperienceand26

cooperationinbuildingnewvalue-addedcooperativesthatwillenhance27

theirlocalcommunitiesandincreasetheprofitabilityoftheirfarmer-28

owners;29

14. Cooperativesworkingtoreturnthecostofproductionandreasonableprofit.30

Inaddition,theyshouldsupportfederalfarmpolicythatenablesproducers31

toreceiveprofitablefarmprices;32

85

15. Cooperativesbeingofsufficientsizeandstrengthtobeeffectivein1

representingtheirfarmer-memberswithoutcompetingwithfamilyfarmers;2

16. IncreasedfundingforRuralBusinessCooperativeServices(RBCS)tofocus3

itsprimaryeffortsonworkingdirectlywithfarmersintheorganizationand4

developmentofcooperatives,includingprovidingon-the-groundservicesto5

producerssuchasfeasibilitystudiesandorganizationalassistanceto6

farmers,aswellasstart-upanddevelopmentgrants;7

17. FundingfortheRuralCooperativeDevelopmentGrant(RCDG)Program;8

RCDGgrantsofuptothreeyearsshouldbegiventocentersthathave9

previouslyreceivedfundingandhavedemonstratedsuccessinstarting10

businesses.Remainingfundingshouldbemadeavailablefornewcentersto11

applyforannualgrants;12

18. Revisionsinrulesandregulationstoallowloanstoproducerswhochooseto13

purchasestockinestablishedagriculturalprocessingcooperativesandnew14

cooperativesformedforthepurposeofaddingvaluetoagricultural15

commodities;16

19. Deferralofcapitalgainstaxeswhenarefiningorprocessingfacilityissoldto17

afarmer-ownedcooperativeifthebenefitispassedontofamilyfarm18

cooperativemembers;19

20. Strengtheningtheabilityofruralcitizenstoestablishnewmember-owned20

enterprisesthatenhancefarmincomeandqualityoflifeinruralAmerica,by21

continuingourworkwiththenetworkofcooperativedevelopmentcenters;22

21. Focusingonanationalschool/trainingprogramthatbothidentifies23

opportunitiesandtrainscooperatorsintheformationandoperationof24

value-addedcooperatives.NFUcouldserveasthecoordinatorofsucha25

project;26

22. Rejectionofgovernmenteffortstodictatethetimeandmannerforreturning27

cooperativepatronageearnings;28

23. MembershipinstateFarmersUnionorganizationsbeingrequiredofall29

FarmersUnioncooperativeboardandcompanymembers;and30

24. Prohibitingtheuseofnetsavingsofacooperativetobeusedtoinvestin31

productionagriculturaloperationsbythecooperative.32

86

25. Eitherspouseshouldbeabletorepresentthefamilyfarminvotingat1

cooperativemeetings.Weencouragebothspousestobecomevoting2

membersofcooperatives.3

D. TEAMWORKOFFARMERSUNIONANDCOOPERATIVES4

ThelinkbetweenNFU,FarmersUnioncooperativesandallothercooperatives5

strengthensallentities.Thefarm-incomeimprovementmeasuresandstrategies6

advocatedbyFarmersUniondeservetheinterestandsupportoffarmcooperatives7

genuinelyconcernedaboutthewell-beingoftheirmemberfamilies.8

E. CHS9

WeurgeCHSnottolosesightofthefundamentalcooperativeprinciplesuponwhich10

itwasfounded.11

WeopposeCHSowningfarmlandinothercountriesandproducingcropsthatwill12

beindirectcompetitionwithfarmersintheUnitedStates.13

Wedonotsupport:14

1. GivingtheCHSboardofDirectorstheflexibilitytoapprovenon-member15

patronagearrangements;and16

2. ModifyingtheCHSmembershipdefinitiontoallownon-producerstherights17

grantedtomemberscurrently.18

87

ARTICLEVII–WATERANDLANDPOLICY,CONSERVATIONANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

A. OBJECTIVESOFACOMPREHENSIVELANDPOLICY2

Familyfarmersandranchershavehistoricallybeenourbestsoilandwater3

conservationistswhengiventheeconomicincentivesandflexibilitynecessarytodoso.4

Ourpolicyencouragesawell-balanced,sensibleenvironmentalpolicythatprotectsthe5

publicandtheenvironmentwithoutundulyburdeningfamilyfarmersthrough6

excessiveregulationoreconomichardship.7

Wecallonallfederalandstateregulatoryagenciestoactinaccordancewiththe8

aboveprinciplesandusetheleastintrusive,economicallypracticalandscientifically-9

basedmethodstoaccomplishsoundenvironmentalqualitygoals,withconsideration10

giventoallofthesefactorsandnotanyoneexclusively.Wesupportanationalland11

policythat:12

1. Recognizesmultipleusevaluesofpubliclandswhilestrivingforsustainable13

useinallareas;14

2. Emphasizesagricultureasthemostproductiveuseofexistinghigh-quality15

farmland;16

3. Recognizestherightofprivatelandownerstobecompensatedfor17

governmentland-userestrictionsthatamounttotakingsofproperty;18

4. Recognizesthevalueofindependentlyownedandoperatedfamilyfarmsto19

stewardshipofnaturalresources;20

5. Developseducationandoutreachmaterialsforthepublictoachievelanduse21

goalsforthebenefitoffuturegenerations;22

6. Encouragesentryintothebusinessoffarmingorownershipofagricultural23

landsbyfarmfamilies,asopposedtonon-farminterestsorlarger-than-24

family-sizedcorporations;25

7. Allowsstatestoprohibitcorporateinterestsfromcircumventingcorporate26

farmlawsbycontractingwithindividualproducers;27

8. Strengthensandenforcesstatelawstoprotectfamily-ownedand–operated28

farms;29

9. Prohibitsconcentrationoffarmlandownershipbyoff-farmcorporations,30

associations,andinterests.Theselawsmustbecloselymonitoredand31

88

strengthenedsotheymaycontinuetopreserveproductionagriculturefor1

familyfarmers;2

10. Discouragestheconcentrationoflandownershipandoff-farmownershipvia3

stateprogramsofgraduatedlandtaxesandsimilardisincentivesor4

limitations;5

11. Recognizestheimportanceofwetlands(alsoseeArticleVI.T.6–Wetlands);6

and7

12. Respectsexistingfarmingoperationsandpractices,especiallyunderthe8

pressuresofurbanencroachment.9

B. PROHIBITIONOFFOREIGNOWNERSHIPOFFARMLAND,COMMERCIALFISHING10

PRIVILEGESANDDISCLOSURE11

Foreigninterests,includingthoseactingthroughU.S.-registeredentities(except12

familiesorindividualsseekingU.S.citizenship),shouldbeprohibitedfromacquiring13

U.S.agriculturallands,holdingfederalgrazingallotmentsorcommercialfishing14

privileges.Werespecttherightofothernationstoputsimilarlimitationson15

agriculturallandsintheirnations.16

Foreignindividuals,corporationsorgovernmentsshouldberequiredtodiscloseto17

appropriateagenciestheirownershipofanyU.S.business,financial,energyorreal18

estateassets,inamannercomparabletoprocedureintheAgriculturalForeign19

InvestmentDisclosureActof1978.20

CitizensoftheUnitedStateshavearighttoknowtheextentofsuchownershipor21

controlsothatremedialstepsmaybetaken.22

C. LANDTRANSFER23

Wesupport:24

1. Establishingajointfederal-statecooperativeefforttoassistbeginningand25

sociallydisadvantagedorveteranfarmerstoacquireaneconomicallyviable26

familyfarmenterprise;27

2. Establishingincometaxincentivesforlandownersandretiringfarmerswho28

sellorleasefarmlandtobeginningorsociallydisadvantagedfarmersand29

veterans.Incentivesshouldbepromotedtoprovidefortheorderlytransfer30

ofland,priortotheseller’sdeath,andshouldbecomplementarytoestate31

planningandestateandgifttaxpolicies;32

89

3. Encouragingreligious,educational,charitableandsimilarnonprofit1

institutionsthatobtainfarmlandtoensurethatsuchlandsareoperatedor2

soldinamannerwhichpreservesandpromotesfamilyfarmunitsanddoes3

notdisruptlandvalueswithreasonabletimelimitsbeingplacedonholdings4

inordertoreturnthelandtolocaltaxrollsasquicklyaspossible;5

4. Maintainingexistingeffectiveconservationpracticeswhenlandis6

transferred;7

5. RequiringFSAtoholdpublichearingsbeforeitisallowedtoacquireland8

easementsandautomaticallyimposeconservationeasements;and9

6. Holdingthepartyresponsibleforcontaminationofprivatelandliable,after10

environmentalauditsrevealconclusivescientificevidenceofcontamination,11

whethertheyarethecurrentorformerowners.Currentornewindividual12

familyagriculturaloperatorsshouldnotbeheldliableforcontaminationthat13

didnotoccurduringtheirownership.14

D. PUBLICLANDS15

WerecommendthatCongressmaintainitscommitmenttotheresponsiblemultiple16

useofpubliclands.Thefederallandstewardshipagenciesshouldimprovetheirland17

managementtechniquesonallpubliclands.18

Livestockproductioninthe17westernpubliclandsstatesishighlydependentupon19

publiclandgrazingandlocalgovernmentservices.Thehealthofwildlifehabitatis20

dependentonwell-managedlivestockgrazing.Governmentactionsthatdrastically21

changethewaylivestockgrazingisconductedonpubliclandscouldgreatlydamagethe22

economyinruralAmerica.23

Wesupport:24

1. ThecurrentPublicRangelandImprovementAct(PRIA)formulaasafairand25

equitablemethodfordeterminingappropriategrazingfees.Grazingfees26

representthedividendsofstewardshipofthefederalland,notthevalueof27

theforageontherangeland;28

2. UtilizationofthelocalResourceAdvisoryCouncil(RAC)tosetstandardsand29

guidelinesforgrazingtailoredtothelocalarea;30

3. Reinstatementoflocalgrazingcommittees;31

90

4. Public-landmanagersassistingpublic-landpermitteestodeveloptheirown1

goalsandgrazingplansthatwouldbeutilizedinmanagingtheirpublic-land2

grazingallotments;3

5. Linkingtheholdingofgrazingpermitswithactualownershipofgrazing4

animalsbyresidentfamilyfarmersandranchers;5

6. AcertifiedmediationserviceforalldisputesregardinggrazingwiththeU.S.6

ForestServiceandBureauofLandManagement;7

7. Public-landgrazinglegislationtorequirethatindisputesbetweenpublic-8

landmanagersandpermittees,thepermitteesbeadvisedoftheirrights9

underSection8ofthePRIA,whichauthorizesland-grantuniversitystaffto10

provideassistanceandadvocacyservicestopermittees;11

8. Effortstoestablishgrassbanksonpubliclands;12

9. Effortstoestablishandpreserveplantingsofheirloomseedsandnative13

plantsonpubliclandsforthepurposeofensuringbiodiversityandthe14

protectionofnativeflora;15

10. Allowingrancherstotravelbymotorizedvehicles,controlpredatoryanimal16

populations,continuerangeimprovementsanddevelopwaterresources;17

11. Requiringthefederalandstategovernmentstopaythefullamountofthe“in18

lieuofpropertytax”(PILT)paymentsonpropertythatitownsoracquires.If19

fullpaymentisnotmade,thereshouldbeamoratoriumonanyfurtherland20

acquisitionbytheagencythatfailstomeetitsresponsibility;21

12. RequiringtheBureauofLandManagementtofollowthroughwiththe22

requiredannualsurveysandmanagementplanstocontrolwildhorseand23

burropopulationsinordertominimizedamagetoprivateandpubliclands.24

WealsosupporttheUSDA-inspectedhorseandburroadoptionprogram25

whileopposingthereleaseofnon-adoptedanimalsonpubliclands;26

13. Reimbursingfamilyfarmersandranchersbytheappropriategovernment27

agency,atafairmarketvalue,forexpensesincurredintheacquisition,28

developmentandimprovementofpublicgrazinglandsintheeventpermits29

arerevoked;30

14. Publicaccesstofederalandstatelandsbeingonlyondesignatedroutes;31

91

15. Encouragingpublic-landmanagerstosupportandfacilitatetheformationof1

locallyownedcooperativesandbusinessestoharvestandprocessforest2

products;3

16. Allfederalagencieschargedwithwildlifemanagementtakingstepsto4

eradicatediseases,suchasbrucellosisandchronicwastingdisease,fromall5

wildlifeundertheircontrolonfederallands;6

17. Involvingpermitteesintheprocessofrevising,updating,creatingand7

otherwisemodifyingplansthatgovernuseofpubliclandsinadvanceof8

publichearings,includingdraftplans;9

18. Theuseofpubliclandsforthedevelopmentofenergyproductionand10

transmissionwithprioritygiventorenewableenergyexceptwhereexisting11

livestockgrazingpermitsarenegativelyimpacted;and12

19. Decisionsmadebytheadministrationthatsupportinputfromlivestock13

producersonbestmanagementpracticesandrangeconditionswhile14

achievingastrongbalancebetweenresourcesonpubliclandsthatinclude15

grazing.16

Weoppose:17

1. Grazingregulationsandlegislationthatrequirepermitteestoremovetheir18

livestockwhiletheyappealadecisionofapublic-landmanager;19

2. Permittingnon-grazerstoacquireso-called“conservationallotments”that20

resultinthebiddingupofthepriceofanallotment,thusdenyingaccessof21

grazingpermitstolow-andmoderate-incomefamilies;22

3. Anyswapsofpubliclandswithprivatedevelopersthatwouldadversely23

impacttheagriculturalcommunity.Hearingsregardingsuchswapsmustbe24

heldwithin50milesoftheproposedlandtobeswapped.Culturaland25

economicimpactstudiesmustbedonetoassesstheimpactofsuchproposed26

swaps;27

4. Takingprivatewaterrightsandprivatestructuresonpubliclands;28

5. Reintroductionofspeciesdetrimentaltolivestockproductionand29

agriculture;30

6. Theexpansionofmilitaryreservations;31

7. Legislationthatwouldallowthebuyoutofgrazingpermitsonfederallands;32

92

8. GrazingofcattlenotbornandraisedintheUnitedStatesonpubliclands;and1

9. Thetransferoffederalpubliclandstostatecontrol.2

E. NATIONALGRAZINGLANDSCOALITION3

TheNationalGrazingLandsCoalition(NatGLC),formerlyknownastheGrazing4

LandsConservationInitiative(GLCI),seekstoprovidehigh-qualitytechnicalassistance5

onprivatelyownedgrazinglandsonavoluntarybasis,andtoincreaseawarenessofthe6

importanceofgrazinglandresourcesthroughacoalitionofindividualsand7

organizationsfunctioningatthelocal,state,regionalandnationallevels.8

Wesupport:9

1. WorkingcooperativelywiththeNatGLCtopromotebenefitsofsustainable10

grazingpracticesandtheircontinuedline-itemfunding;and11

2. RestoringNRCSannualappropriationsforconservationtechnicalassistance12

atthefieldofficeleveltoadequatelymeettheneedsofAmerica’sfarmers,13

ranchers,andlandowners.14

F. FORESTHEALTH15

Wesupport:16

1. MaintainingCategoricalExclusioncapabilityinfederalforestmanagement17

planstoaddressforesthealthissues,sotheU.S.ForestServicecanaccelerate18

theharvestofsmalltimberstandsinwesternU.S.forests;19

2. Federalandstateforestsbeingaccessibletotherenewableenergyindustry20

toallowtheuseofdevastatedwoodproductinenvironmentallybeneficial21

value-addedproducts;and22

3. Implementationandfullfundingofeffortstominimizetheeffectsofthe23

insectepidemicsonthenationalandstateforeststhroughoutthewestern24

UnitedStates.Federal,state,andprivateprogramsmustbeapproved25

immediatelytoprotectopenspace,wildlifehabitat,watersheds,cleanair26

andothernaturalresourcesaswellasinfrastructuresuchasroadsand27

utilitylinesforpublicsafety.28

G. WATERQUANTITYANDQUALITY29

1. WATERQUANTITYDISTRIBUTION30

Lawsimpactingwaterdistributionshouldnotfavorindustrial,wildlife,and31

recreationalusesoverthoseofagriculturalproducers.32

93

Wesupport:1

i. Statesrecognizingdomesticandlivestockwaterusageinneighboring2

stateswhenissuingirrigationpermitsonsharedtributaries;3

ii. Theuseofinterstatewatercompactsbetweenfederal,state,andtribal4

governmentsforregulatingwatersharingbetweenneighboringstates;5

iii. Theuseofwaterstoragethroughimpoundmentstructuresand6

conservationmeasuresasaprimarytoolforwaterdevelopment;7

iv. Adoptionoflegislationtoprotectagriculturalwaterrightsthroughstate8

waterrightsinordertopreventfuturepowerandenergyplantsfrom9

consumingwatertothedetrimentofagriculture;10

v. Requiringnewenergyplantstoreturnwatertoalevelofqualitycapable11

ofusebyagriculture;12

vi. Subjectingnewlargeenterprisesthatwilluseasignificantquantityof13

watertoapermittingprocesstoassesstheenvironmentaland14

communityimpactsoftheproposeduse;15

vii. Enforcementofthelimitationsonthesizeoffarmoperationseligiblefor16

federallysubsidizedirrigationwater;17

viii. DeferredimplementationoftheU.S.BureauofReclamationregulationon18

theuseoffederallydevelopedwatersuppliesandfacilitiesandthe19

practiceknownas“waterspreading.”Theeconomicimpactofanypolicy20

changesonfamilyfarmersandruralcommunitiesshouldbecompleted21

beforeimplementation:22

a. Waterleasinginsteadofbuyanddrypolicies;and23

b. TheUnitedNationsaddinga31starticletothe1948Universal24

DeclarationofHumanRights,establishingaccesstocleanand25

potablewaterasafundamentalhumanright.26

Weoppose:27

i. Themovementofanywaterforthepurposeofacoalslurrypipelineor28

similarventure,unlessamethodcanbedevelopedtoreturnwaterof29

equalquantityandqualitytotheoriginalareafromwhichitwastaken.30

Priortotheexportationofanywater,anenvironmentalandeconomic31

94

impactstatementshouldbecompletedtodetermineitseffecton1

agriculture;2

ii. Anyeffortsbythefederalgovernmentthroughtheusageofanational3

waterpolicytousurptherightsandprerogativesoftheindividualstates;4

iii. Anoutrightbanon“waterspreading,”ascurrentlydefinedwhichwould5

havedevastatingimpactsonagriculturalproducersintheColumbia6

BasinandotherBureauofReclamationirrigationprojectsthroughout7

theWest;8

iv. Producersbearingthecostoftakinginventoryofirrigatedlandsandany9

mandatedrenegotiationofbureaucontractsthroughtheirirrigation10

district.Webelievethatinmostcases,itisthedevelopmentofnew11

equipment,technologiesandmethodswhichhavedramaticallyincreased12

theefficiencyofirrigationsystemsandprovidedasituationinwhich13

moreacrescanbeirrigatedwiththeuseofthesameorsmalleramount14

ofwater.Agriculturalproducersshouldbecredited,andnotpenalized,15

fortheseincreasedefficiencies;and16

v. Thecondemnationofagriculturalwaterrights.17

2. WATERQUALITYPROTECTION18

Theprotectionofourgroundwaterresourcesiscriticalnotonlytocontinuing19

farmoperations,butasasourceofdrinkingwaterforthevastmajorityofrural20

residents.21

Wesupport:22

i. Thecreationofanationaldatabaseontheextentofwaterquality23

problems,includingnationwidevoluntarywell-testingprogramsthat24

includecostsharingoflandowners;25

ii. Legislationorregulationsaffectinggroundwaterbalancingthese26

interestsinanefforttokeepgroundwaterfrombecomingcontaminated27

inthefirstplace,andtomovequicklytocleanupalreadycontaminated28

sourcesofdrinkingwater;29

iii. ContinuedimplementationoftheSafeDrinkingWaterAct;30

iv. TheuniformadministrationofEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)31

policiesthroughoutthenation.Addingtothelistofcontaminantsthat32

95

municipalitiesandruralwaterdistrictsarerequiredtotestfor,as1

mandatedbyEPA,mustbebackedbyscience.WeencourageEPAtostop2

itspracticeoftargetingspecificregionswithstricterstandardsthan3

appliedinnon-targetedregions.Failuretocurbthispracticewilllikely4

resultinexodusofsensitiveindustries,includingfamilyfarms,thereby5

jeopardizingthelevelofeconomicactivitywithinthetargetedregion;6

v. Requiringinspectorsbepublicemployees,ratherthanemployeesofthe7

companieswhoarebeingregulated;8

vi. Informationandeducationconcerningthepresentconditionofour9

undergroundwatersupplyandwhatwecanandshoulddotoprevent10

anyfurthercontamination;11

vii. Effortsinresearchthatclarifytheissueofpointsourcepollutionand12

non-pointsourcepollution;13

viii. Programstoprotectandimprovethequalityofsurfacewaters,suchas14

theChesapeakeBayProgram,andurgethatallwhousetheresource,15

suchasboatersandfishers,beincludedintheeffort;16

ix. Producersparticipatinginstatewatershedassessmentprograms;17

x. ConfinedAnimalFeedingOperations(CAFOs)beingrequiredtopostthe18

appropriatebondstocoverthecostofcleaningupanycontaminationof19

landandwaterresources.Whenpostingthesebonds,CAFOsshouldalso20

berequiredtodevelopandsubmitwastestorageclosureplans;21

xi. Nationalminimumguidelines,orstandards,thatgiveprimacyfor22

implementationandflexibilityinregionalplanningtothestates;23

xii. Encouragingstatesandlocalitiestoestablishstandardsbeyondthe24

federalminimums;25

xiii. Cost-shareprovisionstargetedtosmallandmedium-sizedfarmers.26

Responsibilityforsubmittingawastemanagementplanandcomplying27

withthewastemanagementprovisionsshouldbesharedbytheownerof28

thelivestockandtheoperatorofthefacility;29

xiv. Theapplicationofbestmanagementpractices(BMP)establishedby30

agenciesoftheUSDAfordisposalofpoultrywasteandanimalmanure,31

andrecommendsuchmanurebeclassifiedassoilsupplementsandplant32

96

food,andnottoxicorhazardouswaste.IfBMPissubjecttoregulation,1

weurgetheappropriatestatedepartmenttobeassignedasthe2

regulator;3

xv. Researchtodeterminetheenvironmentalimpactofanimal-feedcontent4

onanimalwaste,whichinturnaffectsthesoilandgroundwater;5

xvi. Familyfarmersbeingappointedtoserveasadviserstoanyfederal6

agencywhenanationalwastestandardisdeveloped;and7

xvii. Targetingwatersubsidiestofamily-sizedfarmoperationstoconserve8

waterandtaxpayerdollars.9

Weoppose:10

i. Themethodofdeep-wellinjectionofhazardouswastebecauseoftherisk11

ofcontaminatingourwaterresources;12

ii. Legislationthatrestrictslivestockgrazinginpastureswhererunning13

streamsorpondsarelocatedandmandatoryfencingofrivers,streams14

andponds;15

iii. Insituleachmining;16

iv. Anyinfrastructureorresourcedevelopmentthatjeopardizesthehealth,17

safetyandqualityoffreshwateraquiferresources;and18

v. AnyEPApolicydirectivethatwouldmandatethetestingand/or19

certificationofwaterorfarmlandunlessafederalfundisestablishedto20

paynecessarycostsofmeetingcertificationrequirements.21

3. CLEANWATERACT22

CleanWaterActrulemakingrequiresTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)be23

establishedfor303(d)listedwatershed,i.e.,streamsthatareimpactedbypollution.24

CompliancewithmandatorystateandfederalwatershedTMDLregulationscan25

createahardshiponfamilyagriculturalproducersforcompliancewithstateand26

federalwaterqualitystandards.27

Wesupport:28

i. Voluntarycomplianceandincentive-based,cost-sharingprograms29

currentlyworkingtominimizeproductionagriculture’simpactonour30

nation’swaterquality;31

97

ii. Protectingthequalityofourwaterandassuringitssuitabilityfor1

beneficialuses;2

iii. RegulationsfortheprocesstoidentifywatersprotectedundertheClean3

WaterAct(CWA)beingmadeclearer,simpler,andfaster;4

iv. Exemptionsfornormalagriculturalactivitiesbeingreaffirmed;5

v. Agriculturalproducersandrepresentativesoflocalgovernmental6

entitiesfromallagriculturalareasoftheUSbeingincludedindiscussions7

toaddresstheissuesconcerningtheproposedchangestoexpand8

jurisdictionoftheCWA,anditsdefinitionsoftributariesandadjacent9

water;10

vi. Extensivemonitoringofwaterqualitytoaccuratelyassessprogress11

towardcleargoals;12

vii. Properappropriationoffundingtofullyimplementcleanwaterefforts;13

viii. Ongoingevaluationandrecalibrationofnutrientreductionand14

conservationefforts;and15

ix. Employmentofagronomicpractices,conservationeffortsandfunds,with16

afocusonthosethathavethelargestpositiveimpacttowardreaching17

cleanwatergoals.18

Weoppose:19

i. Broadeningthedefinitionofwhatwatersareconsideredjurisdictional20

undertheCleanWaterAct;21

ii. Thedeletionoftheword“navigable”watersfromthefederalClean22

WaterActwhichwouldexpandthetakingofprivatepropertyrightsand23

provideadditionalintrusiveness;24

iii. CurrentrulemakingbyEPAthatwouldestablishregulatory-based25

TMDLsforfamilyagriculturalproducers;and26

iv. Thebroadeningofthefederalgovernment’sjurisdictionoveragroupof27

waterssuchastheentireprairiepotholeregionsimplybecausethe28

bodiesofwaterareneareachother.29

4. DROUGHTMONITORING30

WesupportcontinuedfederalsupportoftheNationalDroughtMitigation31

Center.32

98

H. AIRQUALITY1

Productionagricultureshouldbeexemptfromtheregulatingofparticulatematter.2

Agricultureshouldbeastakeholderinresearchandeducationabouttheroleof3

agriculturalproductioninparticulatematteremissions.Agriculturalproducersshould4

followbestmanagementpracticeswhenpracticaltohelpreduceparticulatematterand5

improveairquality.6

I. ANIMALFEEDINGOPERATIONS(AFOS)7

NFUrecognizesthatfamilyfarmagricultureandgood,soundenvironmental8

practicesneedtoworktogether.Ourpolicyencouragesawell-balanced,sensible9

environmentalpolicythatprotectsthepublicandtheenvironmentwithoutunduly10

burdeningfamilyfarmersthroughexcessiveregulationoreconomichardship.11

Whenproperlymanaged,livestockwasteisavaluableresourcethatprovides12

essentialnutrientstocroplandandlessenstheneedforcommercialfertilizer.We13

opposethedefiningofanimalmanure,wasteornutrientsasbeingconsidered14

hazardousandregulatedunderthefederal“Superfund”law,theComprehensive15

EnvironmentalResponseCompensationandLiabilityActof1980(CERCLA)andthe16

EmergencyPlanningandCommunityRight-to-KnowAct(EPCRA).17

Animalfeedingoperationsshouldberegulatedbeginningatthelocallevel.Cost18

sharingforregulatorycomplianceshouldbemadeavailableandtargetedtofamily-19

sizedproducers.20

Wesupportstandardsthatareonagraduatedsystemofatleastthreetiers:small,21

mediumandlarge.Theyshouldbeimplementedwithaslidingscaleofstandardsthat22

addresseachsizeofoperation.23

J. CONFINEDANIMALFEEDINGOPERATIONS(CAFOS)24

Wesupportrequiringpermitsforlarge-scalefeedingoperations,i.e.,thoseconfined25

feedingoperationsthatrequireNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem26

(NPDES)permitsasdefinedundertheFebruary2003EPArulechange.Undertherule27

change,alllargeCAFOsrequirepermitsandallotherCAFOsthatdischargepollutants28

intosurfacewaterrequireapermit.Theissueofscaleiscriticalindeterminingthelevel29

ofriskassociatedwithwastemanagement.Therefore,wesupportthefollowing30

standards:31

99

1. Holdinganimalownersand/orcontractorsresponsibleforspillsandmanure1

disposalincontractfeedingoperations;2

2. Usingbestavailabletechnologytoreducetheenvironmentalimpactofwaste3

andsettinghigherstandardsforwastestorage,includingopen-airlagoons;4

3. RequiringaCAFOtohaveasetbackdistancefromanexistingresidence,5

business,church,school,publicuseareaorriparianarea;6

4. Permitapplicationsmustprepareandsubmitanutrientmanagementplan7

containingdetailedinformationregardingproposedmethodsofdistribution.8

Aerial(irrigation)sprayingofanimalwasteshouldbemonitoredbythe9

states’departmentsofhealthandshouldadheretotheagronomicallysound,10

bestmanagementpracticesadoptedbythestateinwhichthefacilityexists.11

Nowasteshouldbeappliedtoice,tohighlyerodibleslopes,orwherethe12

groundisfrozen;13

5. Includingsound,science-basedguidelinesforusingphosphorusand14

nitrogenaslimitingfactorsonthegallonsofliquidlivestockwasteandtons15

ofsolidwastetobeappliedperacreasapartofthenutrientmanagement16

plan;17

6. Permitapplicationsforalarge-scalefacilitymustservenoticeinatimely18

fashionforpubliccommentdescribingthetypeoffacilitytobeconstructed,19

includinginformationonthetypeofwastetobegenerated;20

7. Permitholdersmustdisclosethenumberofanimalunitswithinafacility21

uponrequestbytheappropriateregulatoryagency;22

8. Alivestockownerwhosepermithasbeenrevokedinonejurisdictionnot23

beingallowedapermitinanotherjurisdiction;24

9. Facilitiesthatclosebeingrequiredtousepropercleanup,includingre-25

vegetation,withinthreeyearsofclosure;26

10. Existingoperationsbeingrequiredtocomplywithpermitrequirementsat27

thetimeofpermitapproval;28

11. Permitsrequiringfinancialassuranceincludingproofofliabilityinsurance,29

equityoradequatebonding;30

12. Appropriatepenaltiesforthosewhofailtocomplywithpermitting31

requirements;32

100

13. ImplementingatemporarymoratoriumontheestablishmentofCAFOs1

basedonissuesofhealthuntillocalcontrolisre-established;and2

14. CAFOsprocessinganimalwastenutrientsintorenewableenergyresources.3

Weopposeeffortstorestrictthepropertyrightsoffamilyfarmersandrural4

residentsbylimitingtheirabilitytoregaincompensationincourtagainstaneighboring5

CAFOnuisancecausedbynegligenceorpoormanagement.6

K. PESTICIDEREGULATION7

Wesupportpesticideregulationsthatinclude:8

1. Protectionforproducersofnon-targetedcropsthatincurdamagedueto9

driftfrompesticidesontotheirproperty;10

2. Liabilityinsurancerequirementsforcommerciallicensedpesticide11

applicators;12

3. AnexemptionfromliabilitythroughEPAforgroundwatercleanupfor13

farmerswhoappliedpesticidesaccordingtolabeldirections;14

4. Provisionsemphasizingprotectionofuncontaminatedgroundwaterand15

providingmeanstokeepresiduelevelsfromincreasing;16

5. Accesstohealthandsafetyinformationforfarmers,farmlaborersand17

emergencymedicalpersonnel;18

6. GreatercooperationbetweenEPAandUSDAtohelpensurethatpesticide19

regulationsanddisposaldonotunnecessarilyinterferewithnormalfarming20

practicesandlandtransfers,suchasrequiringamandatorybufferstrip21

aroundproductivefarmland;22

7. LegislationdesignedtoeliminateU.S.productionofpesticidesnotregistered23

foruseintheUnitedStates,orforwhichapesticideresiduetolerancehas24

notbeenset;25

8. Restrictionsontheimportoffoodproductsproducedwithsuchpesticides,26

withmorefrequentinspectionsatborderstoprotectconsumersfromunsafe27

pesticideuse;28

9. Theagriculturesecretarydevelopingregulationsimplementingauthorized29

programsforlesschemicallyintensivefarmingpractices.Regulationsshould30

allowfarmerstoprotectournaturalresourceswithouteconomic31

101

disadvantage.Fullfundingforthesefarmprogramsandforpest-control1

researchinitiativesshouldbeincluded;2

10. Cooperationamongfarmers,chemicalcompaniesandgovernmental3

agenciestoreducepollutionhazardsbyusingintegratedpestmanagement,4

biologicalcontrolsorothereffectivealternativestopesticideswhen5

available;6

11. Thecreationandimplementationofsafetystandardsprotectingpeoplefrom7

exposuretopesticides;8

12. Continuedprudentuseofapprovedchemicalsforcrops,includingexpedited9

registrationsforminorusepesticidesandrequiringEPAtousepeer-10

reviewed,third-partyscience,suchasland-grantuniversities,intheir11

registrationreviewprocess;12

13. Chemicalmanufacturersincreasingtheuseofreusable,pre-measured,13

water-solubleandbulkcontainers;14

14. Federalandstateassistanceforrecyclingcontainersandinestablishing15

centrallocationsfordisposalofchemicalcontainers;16

15. StandardizationoffarmchemicalpricesandregulationsbetweentheUnited17

Statesandothercountries;18

16. Fairpricingofchemicalsandpesticidesnottiedtocommodityprices;19

17. FullfundingfortheIR-4minorcroppesticideregistrationprogram;20

18. TheFederalInsecticide,Fungicide,RodenticideAct(FIFRA)astheprimary21

regulatoryactforapplicationsofpesticidesbyfarmersandranchers.Any22

additionalpermittingrequiredbyEPAundercourtmandateshouldmirror23

existingrecordkeeping,educationandtrainingrequirementsandany24

increasesintrainingrequirementsshouldcarryprovisionsfortheexpenses25

associatedwithsuchtraining;and26

19. Extensiveresearchonnewtechnologiesandtheirapplicationsregarding27

theirimpactonnon-targetedorganisms.28

L. FERTILIZERREGULATIONS29

Thefutureofagriculturalproducersworldwidedependstoagreatextenton30

developingandimplementingthebestuseoffertilizers.31

Wesupport:32

102

1. Nohazardouswastebeingincludedinfertilizers;1

2. Manufacturerslabelingallingredientsinfertilizersandproviding2

notificationtobuyers;3

3. Anhydrousammoniacontinuingtobeclassifiedasnon-hazardousforthe4

purposesoftransportingnursetanksonpublicroadways;5

4. Privatelyownedanhydrousammoniafacilitiesandequipmenttomeetthe6

samesafetyrequirementsandstandardsasthatoflicenseddealers.We7

encourageprivateownerstoattendanhydrousammoniasafetytraining8

classes;9

5. Thefederalgovernmentsteppingupenforcementoftheillegalproductionof10

methamphetaminesandfullyfundingmeasurestopreventthetheftof11

agriculturalmaterialsandcleanupofconfiscatedmethamphetaminelabs;12

6. Sludgegeneratedfromhumanwasteshouldbespreadorcompostedina13

timelyfashionwithanutrientandpathogenmanagementplan.Farmers14

mustbeprovidedwithacompletenutrientandcontaminantanalysisofthe15

sludge;and16

7. SufficientconsiderationbeinggivenbeforeOSHAimplementschangestothe17

enforcementofProcessSafetyManagementofHighlyHazardousChemicals18

StandardsforRetailFacilities.19

M. INVASIVESPECIESCONTROL20

Muchofthecurrentinfestationproblemisattributedtoinsectorotherinvasive21

speciespopulationgrowthonpubliclands.AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService22

(APHIS)needsincreasedfundingsoitcanproperlyinspectallimportedandinterstate23

movementsofagriculturalproducts,monitorinsecthatchanddamage,andcoordinate24

measuresinstatesaffectedbyinfestations.Federalgrantsorcostsharingonboth25

publicandprivatelandsshouldbemadeavailablefordealingwithwidespread26

infestationofinsects.27

Increasedmonitoringandinspectionofdomesticandforeignimportedproductsto28

preventintroductionofinvasivespecies.Vigorouscontrolanderadicationmeasuresare29

neededtoensurethatinvasivespeciesbeeliminated.30

Whereneededandrequested,theAgriculturalResearchService(ARS)should31

provideadequatestandingfundingforpractical,appliedresearchandIntegratedPest32

103

Management(IPM)programstohelpfarmersimplementrapid,highlyorganizedand1

cooperativeIPMresponsestoinfestations.Itisespeciallyimportantthattheadditional2

costofsuchprogramsbewhollyorpartiallyunderwrittenforsmall-scalefarmsto3

enablethemtoparticipateeffectivelyinthem.4

Coordinatedeffortsandadequatefundingareurgentlyneededforimprovedcontrol5

ofnoxiousweedsonpubliclandsandallroadrightsofway.Weareconcernedthat6

farmersareexpectedtocontrolweedsontheirlandwhilenearbypubliclandgoes7

withoutweedcontrol.Wheneverthisresponsibilityisnotbeingmet,thereshouldbea8

moratoriumonanyfurtherlandacquisitionbytheappropriateagency.9

N. PRESCRIBEDBURNING10

Prescribedburningisaviablefarmingpractice.11

Wesupport:12

1. Therighttosafeburningwhennecessary;and13

2. Ongoingresearchtodiscovereconomicallyviablealternativestoburning.14

O. LANDOWNERRIGHTS15

Wesupport:16

1. Privatepropertyrights,includingownershipoflandandallitsattributes17

above,on,andbelowthesurface,unlessotherwisemarketed;18

2. Landlessees’rights;19

3. Justcompensationtofarmersandrancherswhosufferlossesasaresultof20

anystateorfederalagencyruling;21

4. Localcontrol;22

5. Theexpiration(nullandvoid)ofanypipelineorutilityright-of-waygrant23

fiveyearsafterabandonmentorperiodofnon-usefortheoriginalpurpose24

oruseofthegrant;and25

6. Trespassersbeingheldliableforanydamagesdonetoprivateproperty,26

includingalongpublicaccesses.27

Weoppose:28

1. The“bigopenconcept,”andtheresultingconfiscationofprivateproperty;29

2. Anyagencyorindividualenteringintoamineralleaseorgrantingapermit30

fortheextractionofmineralswithouttheconsentofthelandsurfaceowner,31

includingjustcompensationtotheagriculturaloperation;and32

104

3. Landownersbeingheldliableforinjuriesobtainedbyatrespasser.1

P. EMINENTDOMAIN(ALSOSEEARTICLEVIII.F–IRSTAXCODE1031EXCHANGES)2

Abusesofeminentdomainoccurringacrossthecountryraiseseriousconcerntothe3

rightsofprivatepropertyowners.Whilegovernmententitiesarepermittedtoseize4

privatepropertyforpublicuseviaeminentdomain,itiscontrarytoAmericanvaluesto5

seizepropertyfromoneprivateownerandgivetoanotherforpurposesofincreasing6

taxrevenue.7

Therightsofprivatepropertyownersneedtobeprotectedagainstpartieswith8

condemnationrightsanddueprocessshouldbeappliedtoallproceedingsinvolving9

eminentdomain.Everyeffortshouldbemadetopreservefarmerownership.10

Inallpublicandprivateprojectswhereeminentdomainproceedingsmay11

eventuallybeused,wesupport:12

1. Individualnotificationsandpublichearingsbeingheldpriortoproject13

implementation;14

2. Publichearingsheldinthecountyinwhichtheprojectisslated;15

3. Negotiationsbetweenthepropertyownerandutilitytoincludeyearly16

royaltyfeestobepaidtotheownerforeachoccurrenceofcurrentorfuture17

use;18

4. Severancedamagesincludingpaymentforthediminutionofremainingland19

values,increasedexpensesandinconveniencesufferedbyaffected20

landownersandoperators;21

5. Allinitialcourtexpenses,includingattorneyandappraiserfees,beingborne22

bytheconstructingagencyincondemnationproceedings;23

6. Valuesbeingdeterminedbyappraisersagreeduponbyallparties;24

7. Easementsforutilitiesbeingforthelifeoftheutilityonly.Ifthenew25

equipmentisinstalledonanexistingeasement,thelandownershouldbe26

compensatedatfairmarketvalueoftheland,andforsurfacedamage,atthe27

timeofinstallation.Thelandownershouldreceiveanongoingcashpayment28

fromtheproject.Iftheentityisforprofititshouldnotfallundertheeminent29

domainlaw;30

8. Ownersbeingcompensatedwithappropriateannualpaymentsoralump31

sumofnolessthanthreetimestheappraisedvalue;32

105

9. Federaland/orstatelegislationthatwouldstrengthenprivateproperty1

rightsagainsttheuseofeminentdomaintotransferpropertytoanyprivate2

person,non-governmentalentityorotherpublic-privatebusinessentity;3

10. Restrictingtheuseofeminentdomainbystateandlocalgovernmentsforthe4

purposeof“economicdevelopment”whenitinvolvestakingprivate5

propertyfromoneownerandgivingittoanotherprivateentity;6

11. Offeringseizedpropertybacktotheoriginalpropertyownerifpropertyis7

notusedinatimelymannerorifpropertyisnotusedforitsoriginalpublic8

useintent;and9

12. Therightofalandownertoreceiveataxshelter,and/or1031like-kind10

exchangeagainstcapitalgainsfromthesaleofpropertiestakenbyeminent11

domain.12

Weoppose:13

1. Theuseofeminentdomainwithoutthedeveloperputtingintoplace14

environmentalsafeguards,maintainingconservationanddrainagepractices,15

andassumingliabilityfordamages;16

2. Theacquisitionofproductivefarmlandthroughuseoftheeminentdomain17

processtoextendwildlifehabitat;and18

3. Grantingeminentdomainauthoritytoanyforeignentity.19

Q. ZONING20

Wesupport:21

1. Thepreservationoffarmunitsinanyrezoningefforts.Anystateandfederal22

legislationshouldrecognizethatagriculturallandmustbepreservedforthe23

future.Familyfarmersshouldberepresentedinallrelevantzoning24

deliberations;25

2. Farmlandnearareasalreadyconvertedtourbanorotheruses,whichmaybe26

appreciatinginspeculativevalue,beingtaxedasagriculturallandaslongas27

thelandcontinuestobefarmedbyafamilyfarmer;28

3. Requiringeconomicandenvironmentalstudiestodeterminetheeffectson29

futurewatersuppliesofchangingland-usedesignationsfromagricultureto30

someotheruse;31

106

4. Federalandstatefundsforfloodcontrolprojectstoprotectcommunitiesand1

agriculturalland.Wefavorzoninglawsprohibitingdevelopmentofareas2

thatfloodfrequently;3

5. Legislationtostrengthentherightsoflocalgovernmentunitstoprotectthe4

health,safetyandwelfareinterestsoftheirresidents,includingimproved5

governanceprovisionsforregulatingconcentratedfeedingoperationsand6

futurelanduserequirements;and7

6. Zoningregulationsdescribingborders,setbacksandbondingfor8

reclamation.9

R. CLIMATECHANGEANDCARBONSEQUESTRATION10

NFUisconcernedabouttheeffectsofclimatechangeandbelievesfurtherresearch11

andanalysisisnecessarytodetermineitsactualandpotentialimpacts.We12

acknowledgeandacceptthescientificevidencethatclearlyindicatesthathuman13

activitiesareacontributingfactortoclimatechange.Webelievethathumanactivity14

alsohasthepotentialtohelpmitigateclimatechange.15

Wesupport:16

1. FarmersandranchersbeingconsultedastheUnitedStatesmovesforwardto17

reduceitsemissionofgreenhousegases;18

2. Carbonsequestrationbeinganinnovativewaytoenhanceincomefor19

producersandprotectourenvironment.Therefore,thetradingofcarbon20

creditswiththeinclusionofcarbonsequestrationasanagricultural21

conservationpracticeforfairandequitablecarbonoffsetpaymentsshould22

beencouraged;23

3. Carbonsequestrationresearchnotbeingbiasedtowardasinglepractice,24

suchasno-till,andinsteadencompassingallagriculturalpractices,including25

grazinglands,energyfeedstockproduction,organiccropping,woodlots,the26

ConservationReserveProgramandotherprovenconservationmethods;27

4. Thecontinuationandexpansionofacarbontradingexchangeasawayto28

compensatefarmersandranchersforsequesteringcarbon;29

5. Anationalmandatorycarbonemissiontaxorfeeanddividendsystemto30

reducenon-farmgreenhousegasemissionsthat:31

107

i. GrantsUSDAcontrol,verificationandadministrationofthe1

agricultureoffsetprogram,ratherthanEPA;2

ii. Doesnotplaceanartificialcapondomesticoffsetallowance;3

iii. Basescarbonsequestrationratesuponscience;4

iv. Recognizesearlyactors;and5

v. Allowsproducerstostackcredits.6

6. Agriculturebeinguncappedinanyclimatechangelegislation;7

7. Theinclusionofprovisionsthatareadvantageoustoagriculturewhile8

minimizingpotentialnegativeeffectstoagricultureandruralcommunities9

suchasincreasedinputcosts,elevatedelectricitycostsanddecreasedglobal10

competitiveness;11

8. Allnationsparticipatingtoreducecarbonemissions,asclimatechangeisa12

globalresponsibility;13

9. Exemptingsmalldomesticrefiners(producing150,000barrelsperdayor14

less)fromanemissioncap;15

10. Researchanddevelopmentofcarboncaptureandstorage(CCS)facilities,16

withtheunderstandingthatlandownerswillnotshareintherisks17

associatedwithCCS;18

11. Researchandpromotionofresilientfarmingpractices,suchastheNRCSSoil19

HealthInitiative,thatmitigateandadapttothepotentialeffectsofclimate20

change;and21

12. Effortstopreserverainforestlandandconvertclearedrainforestlandback22

intodiversifiedagroforestry.23

Weoppose:24

1. AnyattempttoregulatecarbonbytheEPAthroughSection111(d)ofthe25

CleanAirActthroughstateimplementationplansthatdonotinclude26

economicsafety-valvestoprotectruraleconomies;27

2. Anyplanthatdoesnotcovercarbonemissionsfromallsectorsofthe28

economy;and29

3. ConsideringinternationalindirectlandusechangeswhendeterminingU.S.30

carbonandenergypolicy.31

S. CONSERVATION32

108

Strongconservationeffortspromotehealthysoils.Conservationprogramsshouldbe1

fullyfundedtobenefittheenvironment,rewardstewardshipoflandandwater2

resourcesandmarinehabitat,discouragespeculativedevelopmentoffragileland3

resources,strengthenfamilyfarming,andenhanceruralcommunities.Conservation4

assistanceshouldbeataleveldesignedtomeettheneedsasshowninthefederalland5

conservationinventory,theappraisalsundertheResourceConservationandRecovery6

Actof1976,andotherfederalstudies.7

Wesupport:8

1. Thedevelopmentofaone-stopconservationplanningsystemforagriculture9

throughtheNaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)with10

conservationprogramdecisionsbeingmadebylocallyelectedconservation11

entities,whereappropriate;12

2. Asingleconservationplanjointlydevelopedbythefarmoperatorand13

approvedbyNRCSbeingestablishedtofulfilltherequirementsas14

recommended.Thisconservationplanningsystemshouldreplacethe15

existingsodbuster,swampbuster,CorpsofEngineersfloodplainandother16

regulationswhichaffectagriculturallands.Theplanshouldbesupervised17

andapprovedbytheUSDAcommitteeprocess,withthetechnicalassistance18

oftheNRCS;19

3. Theobjectivesoftheconservationplanbeingusedtoreduceandcontrol20

windandwatererosion,preventnon-pointsourcepollution,andenhance21

thesoilandwatercapacitiesoftheland;22

4. Designationofwhichhighlyerodiblesoilsshouldnotbetilledandwhich23

maybetilledwithapprovedconservationpractices;24

5. Programsthatpromotesoilhealthandsustainablefarmingpractices;25

6. Accuratemappinganddocumentationofbothexistinganddrainedwetlands,26

aswellasanydrainsandchannels.Theplanshouldoutlinetheconservation27

ofwetlands,aswellasthemaintenanceofdrainsandchannels;28

7. Apaymentsystemthatmovestowardanoutcome-basedapproachwhere29

realchangesandenvironmentalbenefitsaretrackedandrewarded;30

8. Programsbeingbasedonvoluntarycontinuoussignupandprecludingthe31

useofabiddingsystem;32

109

9. Whenaconservationplanisimplemented,aproducershouldbedeemedto1

beincompliancewithallfederalagencies.Producersshouldbeallowedto2

remedyinadvertentorunavoidablefailurestocarryoutconservationplan3

practiceswithoutautomaticallybeingpenalized.Lossoffullfederalfarm4

programbenefitsshouldbeimposedonlyincasesofpurposefuldestruction5

ofconservationpractices;6

10. Federalfinancingtomeetcleanwaterandairstandardsofthe7

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)beingavailabletofarmersfrom8

fundsappropriatedbyCongressforthispurpose,andthatsuchfundsbe9

administeredthroughthefarmer-electedcommittees;10

11. Adequatefundingtoenablethesmallwatershedprogramstoprovideforthe11

maintenanceandrehabilitationofexistingstructuresbuiltunderP.L.53412

andP.L.566,aswellastobuildadditionalstructurestoprovideflood13

control,livestockwater,irrigationwater,andrecreationalbenefitstorural14

America;15

12. Stateeffortstocreatecost-shareprogramsforsoilandwaterconservation16

practices;17

13. ThecontinuationofNRCSsnowsurveysandSNOWTELEMETRY(SNOTEL)18

measuringstations;and19

14. ThecontinuationandexpansionoftheEnvironmentalQualityIncentives20

Program(EQIP),whichprovidesfederalcost-shareandtechnicalassistance21

toenablefarmerstocomplywithenvironmentalrequirements,andurgefull22

appropriationofexistingauthorizedfundingandanincreaseinfuture23

funding.24

Wesupport:25

i. Appropriatecapsonfundinglevelstoassurefundsarebeing26

directedtofamilyfarmersandranchers;27

ii. Preferenceandprioritygiventofamilyfarmersbelowa1,00028

animalwasteunitthreshold;29

iii. TheagriculturesecretaryprioritizingtheuseofEQIPfundsfor30

familyfarmersandranchers,takingintoaccountthegeographical31

differencesinfarmingandranchingoperations;32

110

iv. EQIPprogrameligibilityandcost-sharelevelsbeingconsistent1

withcommodityprogrameligibilityandpaymentlimits;and2

v. USDAfundingpublicandprivateresearchanddevelopmentof3

compostingandthatcompostingbeeligibleforcostsharing4

underEQIPasanenhancementofpollutioncontrol.5

Weopposeconservationprogramprovisionswhichexcludeorpenalizeproducers6

whoareearlyadoptersofstewardshippracticesandthosethatpenalizeproducersfor7

non-compliancewithprogramrequirementsresultingfrom“ActsofGod”suchas8

drought,fire,andfloods.9

1. LANDRETIREMENTANDEASEMENTPROGRAMS10

WeurgethefullfundingoftheConservationReserveProgram(CRP)andthe11

AgriculturalConservationEasementProgram(ACEP).12

Wesupportadjustingenrollmentrequirementstoallownativeprairie13

grasslandsasaneligibleclassforACEPorsimilarprograms.14

Greateremphasisshouldbeplacedonimprovedfarmmanagementtechniques.15

Webelievethatassistingfarmersinbecomingthebestpossiblestewardsofnatural16

resourcesisabetterlong-termapproachtosustainabilitythansimpleland17

retirement.18

Wesupportaflexibleshort-termlandidlingprogramthatcompensatesfarmers19

forreductioninacreageforcropproduction.20

2. CONSERVATIONRESERVEPROGRAM(CRP)21

Wesupport:22

i. CRPcontractsandcontractextensionswhichmaintainCRPlandsin23

privateownershipofresidentfamilyfarmandranchoperators;24

ii. Programpaymentsbeingcompetitivewithlocallandvaluesand/or25

rentalratessoasnottodiscourageparticipation;26

iii. A25-percent-per-countyacreagelimitforCRP,unlessitisdetermined27

thatliftingthecapwouldaddresslocalendangeredspeciesconcernsand28

nothaveanegativeeconomicimpactonruralcommunities;29

iv. AdequatefundingtoensureclosemonitoringbytheNaturalResources30

ConservationService(NRCS)andtheFarmServiceAgency(FSA)to31

111

enforcecontractrequirementsforadequateweed,erosion,insectand1

firecontrol;2

v. Enrolleesbeingallowedtomanagepermanent,vegetativecoverto3

enhancewildlifehabitatandecosystemhealth;4

vi. Landowners’rightstocollecthuntingorrecreationalusefeesonland5

enrolledintheConservationReserveProgram;6

vii. Theprogrambeingbetterfocusedtoservetheneedsoffamilyfarmers7

andranchersandtoprotecthighlyerodiblelandandother8

environmentallysensitivelands;9

viii. LandenrolledinCRPshallhaveanend-of-contractplaninplaceforuse10

ofthelandfollowingthecontractexpirationdatethattakesintoaccount11

erodibility,soiltypeandconservationpractices;12

ix. VoluntaryparticipationtotransferCRPlandsthatqualifyforACEPto13

thatprogram;14

x. EvaluationofallCRPlandscurrentlyorpreviouslyenrolledinthe15

programforcontractre-enrollment.Themostenvironmentallysensitive16

landshouldbegivenfirstopportunityforcontract.LandenrolledinCRP17

thatiscriticalhabitatforendangeredspeciesshouldbegivenan18

extensionofupto15years.CRPlandsdivertedintolong-termtimber19

andforestryconservationprojectsshouldbegivenahighpriorityfor20

contractre-enrollment;21

xi. Financialandtechnicalassistancebeingprovidedtoproducersin22

preparingCRPacreageforsustainableagriculturalsystemsthatwill23

meetestablishedconservationstandards;24

xii. LandmanagedwithappropriateorganicstandardswhileenrolledinCRP25

beingeligiblefororganiccertificationuponleavingtheprogram;26

xiii. LandthatwasfarmedpriortobeingenrolledinCRPbeingeligiblefor27

cropinsuranceuponcontractexpiration;28

xiv. Intimesofextendeddroughtconditionsorweatherdisasters,29

authorizationofhayingorgrazingonCRPacrestolivestockproducers30

basedonneed,withuptoone-thirdofCRPacresbeingusedtoreplenish31

feedsupplies.HayingandgrazingofCRPbyaproducerinadisaster32

112

declaredcountyshouldnotberestrictedtolandinthedisaster-declared1

countyorstate.TheFSAfarmer-electedcountycommitteesshouldbe2

giventheauthoritytosetthedateofharvestinordertomaximizethe3

feedvalueofhayandforage.Theseregulationsshouldbeinplacesothe4

proceduresareknowninadvance.Themaximumlandownerincome5

fromthehayingandgrazingshouldnotexceedtheannualCRPcontract6

amountfromthatfarm;7

xv. NofurtherreductionsintotalacresenrolledinCRP;8

xvi. TheCRPTransitionIncentivesProgram(TIP)thatallowsCRPpayments9

tocontinuetolandownersthattransferthelandtobeginning,veteran10

and/orsociallydisadvantagedfarmers;11

xvii. TIPshouldrequirethebaseacresbereattachedtothetracttheywere12

removedfrom;13

xviii. Plantingpropertytoshelterbeltsorotherconservationmeasuresbeing14

encouragedthroughreducedpropertytaxesonthoseacres.Producers15

whodestroyshelterbeltsorwoodedareasshouldestablishthesame16

numberofacresofnewtreesforaminimumof10years;17

xix. Anexpeditedprocesstoadoptrulesandregulationstore-enrollorto18

extendConservationReserveProgramcontracts;and19

xx. AllowingapprovedCRPconservationcovercropstobeusedforbiomass20

productioninareaswhereneededuntilthebiomassindustryevolvestoa21

moreeconomicallyviablelevel.CRPpaymentswouldbepaidonthese22

acresinyearswherebiomassisharvested.23

3. NATIONALBUFFERSTRIPINITIATIVE24

ThemissionoftheNationalBufferStripInitiativeistosupportdevelopmentand25

adoptionofagriculturalconservationsystemsinallU.S.watersheds.26

Wesupport:27

i. Developmentofnewmarketsforproductsofperennialsystems,suchas28

biofuelsandfeedstockcrops;and29

ii. Enterpriseresearchtoevaluateanddevelopnewplantmaterial30

selectionsalongwithassociatedproduction,harvestingandprocessing31

113

technologiestodiscoveranddevelopnewusesforproductsofperennial1

systems.2

4. CONSERVATIONSTEWARDSHIPPROGRAM(CSP)3

Wesupport:4

i. FullfundingandimplementationoftheConservationStewardship5

Program;6

ii. CSPacreagelevelsincludedinthe2008FarmBill;7

iii. ImplementationoftheCSPinamannerwhichrecognizesconservation8

practicesappropriatetodifferentclimaticregionsandprovidesforsuch9

agriculturalproductionpracticestobeadequatelyscoredbythe10

ConservationManagementTool(CMT);11

iv. Allowingnewconservationenhancementsmadetolandinanexisting12

CSPcontracttocountascreditonsubsequentCSPcontractsasawayof13

rewardingearly-adapters;and14

v. Consistentinterpretationoftherulesandguidancedocumentsamongall15

NRCSoffices.16

5. SODBUSTERANDSWAMPBUSTERPROVISIONS17

Wesupport:18

i. Provisionsthatgivethesecretaryofagriculturegreaterdiscretionin19

handlingsodbusterandswampbusterviolations.FSAshouldbethe20

singleregulatoryagency;21

ii. Thegoalofsoilconservationpracticesbeingtoreducesoillossesto22

tolerablelevels,or“T-levels;”23

iii. Alternativeconservationsystemsbeingusedonlyincasesoffinancial24

hardship,afterrecommendationoflocalconservationofficials;and25

iv. Afederalsodsaverprovision,whichdisallowsthepaymentoffarmand26

cropinsurancesubsidiesforcropsplantedonlandwithoutanyprevious27

croppinghistory.28

6. WETLANDS29

Wesupport:30

i. Producersbeingprovidedfullopportunitytoparticipateinthe31

developmentandreviewofasingle,coordinatedapproachtowetlands32

114

protection.Requiringrecertificationofwetlandsat5-yearintervals1

createsamovingtargetforproducersincomplianceefforts;2

ii. MakingtheNRCSandFSAtheleadagenciesinwetlandsdelineationon3

agriculturalland,butopposetheuseofspecialinterestgroupsmaking4

wetlanddeterminations;5

iii. AnyandallwetlandsdeterminationsthroughouttheUnitedStates6

relyingonthepresenceofallthreeofthefollowingmandatorywetland7

criteriasimultaneouslyappearingonthesamesiteyearround:8

a. Hydrology,9

b. Apredominanceofhydricsoil,and10

c. Aprevalenceofhydrophyticvegetation;11

iv. Thefederalgovernmentconsultingwiththestateandlocalgovernments12

todevelopaunified,mutuallyagreeablemanagementprogramtoprotect13

ournation’swetlands;14

v. Wetlandsmanagementprogramsbalancingwetlandvaluesandthe15

needsofthevariousstatesandtheirpoliticalsubdivisionsandindividual16

propertyrights;17

vi. Anyleaseholder,renterorownerbeingcompensatedequitablyforthe18

takingoflandsthroughtheclassificationofwetlands;19

vii. Thefinalinteragencymanualbeingrevisedwithgreaterconsideration20

forthefoodandfiberproducersoftheUnitedStates;21

viii. Wetlandsoflessthanoneacrenotfallingunderanyjurisdictionofstate22

orfederalagencies;23

ix. Whendealingwithfarmland,considerationbeinggiventotheeconomic24

andenvironmentalimpactonagriculture;25

x. Incaseswhereadjacentlandownersarenotaffected,landownersbeing26

abletomovewaterwithinthecontiguousboundariesoftheirown27

propertywithoutregulation,interference,oreasements;28

xi. Wateroutsidetheboundaryofawetlandbeingconsideredsheetwater29

andnotsubjecttojurisdictionbythestateorfederalagencies;and30

xii. NRCSandFSAcooperatingwithstateandlocalagenciesonwetland31

mitigation.32

115

T. SUSTAINABLEAGRICULTURE1

Wesupportprogramsthatpromotesoilhealthandsustainablefarmingpracticesas2

definedbytheUSDAdefinitionofsustainableagriculture.3

U. PREDATORANDRODENTCONTROL4

Wesupport:5

1. Restoringtheoriginalintentofthe1931AnimalDamageControlAct(ADC),6

whichmandatesthefederalgovernmentprotectthelivestockindustryfrom7

predatoryloss.TotheextentthatanadequateADCprogramisnotavailable8

tofarmers,werecommendthatafederallyfinancedindemnityprogrambe9

institutedtopayforcropandlivestocklosses;10

2. Judicioususeofcontrolpracticesbeingcontinuedonfederalandstatelands11

tocontrolcoyotes,feralhogsandotherdamagingspecies.Controlpractices12

onprivatelandsmustbedonewithlandowners’permission;13

3. Farmersandranchersbeingallowedtodefendagainstpredatoryanimals,14

includingthoseontheendangeredspecieslist,ontheirlandbyusingthe15

mosteffective,safe,economicalandhumanemeans;and16

4. U.S.FishandWildlifeServiceassumingfullresponsibilityforanylivestock17

lossesresultingfromthereintroductionofnon-domesticatedanimals.18

Weopposethereintroductionofpredatoryanimals.19

V. ENDANGEREDSPECIES20

Wesupport:21

1. Allimpactedindustriesandindividualsbeingcompensatedforactualannual22

lossesasaresultofcriticalhabitatdesignation;23

2. Federalpolicyestablishingmeaningfulincentivesforlandownersinthe24

businessoffarmingandranchingwhoprovidehabitatforendangered25

species;26

3. Requiringfederalagenciestocontinuecooperativepublic/privateefforts27

designedtoincreasethepopulationofcandidatespeciessincesuchefforts28

haveprovensuccessful;29

4. Candidateconservationagreementsasatooltolessenimpactstoagriculture30

producersfromcandidatespeciesthatarewarranted-but-precludedor31

listed;and32

116

5. Amendingthelawbyspecifyingthatnospeciesmaybelistedasendangered1

orthreatenedandnocriticalhabitatmaybesodesignatedunlessthe2

followingconditionsexist:3

i. Site-specificstudieshavebeendonethatfindthespeciesactually4

occupiesorhasoccupiedwithinthelast15years,habitatthatis5

declaredcritical;6

ii. Culturalandeconomicimpactstudieshavebeendonewhich7

determinewhatimpactthedeclaringhabitatorlistingofspecieswill8

haveonruraleconomiesandruralcultures;9

iii. Treatylawhasbeenobservedbythedevelopmentofmutual10

agreementsbetweenfederalagenciesandtribesandother11

indigenouspeoplesprotectedbytreaties;12

iv. Hearingsareheldwithina50-mileradiusoftheproposedcritical13

habitat,withallpubliclandpermitteesprovidedwrittennotice;and14

v. Managinganyspeciesthatarethreatenedorlistedunderthe15

EndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)topreventdetrimentaleffectson16

workingagriculturalcrops,landsandlivestock.17

WeopposeeffortstolisttheGreaterSageGrouseandLesserPrairieChickenas18

endangeredorthreatened.19

W. ARMYCORPSOFENGINEERS20

WeurgethattheauthorityoftheArmyCorpsofEngineersbelimitedtoitshistoric21

roleofmaintainingnavigablewaterways,damsandfacilitiesonpubliclands.Weurge22

thecorpstodesignatefloodcontrolandrebuildingleveesdestroyedbyfloodsapriority.23

X. NUCLEAR,RADIOACTIVEANDTOXICWASTE24

Wesupport:25

1. Enactmentandvigorousenforcementoflegislation,bothfederalandstate,to26

prohibitdumpingofnuclear,radioactive,toxicandotherhazardouswastes27

withoutdetoxification;28

2. Developmentofhazardouswasteencapsulationanddisposalmethodswith29

stricterenforcementoflawsontransporting,handling,anddisposal;30

i. Thecurrentpracticesofdisposinghazardouswastesinexisting31

landfillsandsurfaceminesites,spreadinghazardouswastesonland32

117

surfaces,andinjectinghazardouswastesindeep-wellsitesshouldbe1

discontinued;2

ii. Alternativedisposalsitesshouldbeidentifiedwhicheliminatethe3

riskofsurfaceandgroundwatercontamination,protectthehealth4

andsafetyofcitizens,andprotectthesoilandwaterofagricultural5

lands,fromwhichthenation’sfoodisproduced;6

iii. Finaldecision-makingauthorityfordeterminingdisposalsitesand7

methodsmusttakeintoconsiderationthecitizenswhoaredirectly8

affectedbythesite;9

3. Disposalofchemicalweaponsthatinsuresthehealthofnearbycommunities,10

agriculturalmarketsandtheenvironment;and11

4. Researchintothoriumorotherfuelstoreplaceuraniuminnuclearplants.12

Y. SURFACEMINING13

Withproperenforcementofthelaw,energyandotherresourcescanbeprovided14

withoutpermanentlydamagingoneofthenation’smostimportantresources,namely15

agriculturalland.16

Wesupport:17

1. StrongenforcementoftheSurfaceMiningControlandReclamationAct18

includinghardrock;19

2. Ensuringthatlandstrippedtorecoverundergroundresourcesisreturnedto20

itsoriginalorbettercondition;21

3. Publicinvolvementinthemonitoringandenforcementofthesurfacemining22

law;23

4. Mandatorypublicdisclosureofchemicalsusedintheminingprocess;and24

5. Adequatebondingforpost-miningreclamation. 25

118

ARTICLEVIII–ENERGYANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

A. ENERGYOBJECTIVES2

Wesupportabalancedenergypolicythatseeksenergyindependenceby2025for3

theUnitedStatesand,atthesametime,protectsournation’senvironmentand4

recognizesthespecialenergyneedsofAmerica’sagriculturalsectoranditspotential5

contributions.6

WeurgeCongressandtheAdministrationtoaddressadditionalelementsofa7

nationalenergypolicyincluding:8

1. Makingthedevelopmentofrenewablesourcesofenergyournumberone9

priorityinreducingourdependenceonfossilfuels;10

2. Ambitiousmandatesforrenewableenergyproduction;11

3. Equitabledistributionandefficientdevelopmentofenergywhileassuring12

appropriateproductionoffoodandfiber;13

4. Incentivesforenvironmentallysafedomesticexploration,drillingand14

developmenttoassureareasonabledegreeofself-sufficiencyandtomitigate15

allnegativeeconomicconsequencesincurredbyfarmers,fishersandfishing16

businessesbysuchexplorationandsubsequentdrillingresultingfromsaid17

exploration;18

5. Abalanceofenergyneedswithasustainableenvironment;19

6. Concernforthesurvivalofindependentoilproducersthroughthe20

eliminationoftheoildepletionallowanceonallbutdomesticproduction;21

7. Oppositiontofederalderegulationoftheelectricutilitiesindustry;22

8. Supportingtheestablishmentofastand-aloneEnergyEfficiencyResource23

Standardthatwillachieve,bytheendof2020,electricitysavingsof1524

percentandnaturalgassavingsof10percent(using2010levelsasthe25

baseline),includingsavingsfromnewbuildingcodesandequipment26

efficiencystandards;27

9. Therightoffarmersandpropertyownerstofeedbackintothecommercial28

energysystempowerproducedinexcessoffarmneeds,atequitablerates.29

Farmersshouldbeencouragedtoutilizebothagriculturalcropsand30

agriculturalbyproductsintheproductionofenergy;31

119

10. Country-of-originlabelingforfuels,requiringthesecretaryofenergyto1

implementcountry-of-origindisclosurerequirementswithrespecttofuels;2

11. Theimpactsonourruraleconomyofeliminatingexistingpowerplants3

beforetheyachievetheirmaximumintendedlifecyclewhiletransitioningto4

acleanpowereconomy;5

12. Accelerationofdevelopmentoffusionenergytechnology;and6

13. Abilityofstatesusingmass-basedandrate-basedemissionsreduction7

standardstotradecarbonemissions.8

B. DISTRIBUTION9

1. PETROLEUMSUPPLY10

Inordertoensureanuninterruptedflowofpetroleumproductsforpriority11

uses,wecallfor:12

i. TheU.S.governmenttoensureanecessarylevelofrefiningtoprocess13

thecrudeoilthatwouldbeavailableinapetroleum-supplyemergency;14

ii. Crudeoilatcompetitivepricestobemadeavailableduringanemergency15

torefineriessotheresultingpetroleumproductswillbeprovidedtothe16

agriculturalsector;17

iii. StrategicPetroleumReservesuppliesbeingallocatedtocooperativeand18

otherindependentdomesticrefineriesatequitablepricesattheearly19

stagesofanysupplydisruption;20

iv. Thereservebeingusedonlyinshortfallofstock,notprice,toavoidprice21

manipulation;22

v. Thecreationofreservesinotherfuelsources,includingethanol;and23

vi. ThesupportoftheCorporateAverageFuelEfficiency(CAFE)standards24

asithaswide-rangingbenefitsresultingfromlessfuelconsumptionbut25

notattheexpenseofvehiclepowerandperformance.26

Weoppose:27

i. Effortstoforceconservationthroughexcisetaxes,andsupporta28

continuationofthefarm-useexemptionfromsuchtaxes;29

ii. Excisetaxesongasolinefordeficitreductionpurposes;and30

iii. EffortstocurtailoreliminatetheStrategicPetroleumReserve.31

2. ELECTRICITYANDDEREGULATION32

120

Wesupport:1

i. LocalregulationofpowertoensureallU.S.residentshaveaccessto2

affordable,high-qualityelectricservice;3

a. WeurgetheEPAtoplacemoreemphasisonpreliminaryplanning4

assessmentwiththestatesandtribesexpandingtheVisibility5

ProtectionProgramthroughtheadditionoftheregionalhaze6

conceptandtoproposearulethataddressesamorereasonable7

andrealisticapproachtotheissuesofregionalhaze.8

b. WeencouragetheEPAtouseactualairqualitymonitoringdata9

andimprovedcomputermodelingtodetermineifastateisin10

compliancewithEPAtoairqualityrequirementsforClass1areas11

suchasnationalparksandotherdesignatednaturaltreasures.12

ii. Federalpolicythatwouldprovidenonprofitpowergroupswiththe13

necessarycreditandfinancialsupporttosetupneededgeneratingand14

transmittingfacilities;15

iii. Electricutilitiesprovidingratestructuresthatofferanincentiveto16

consumerstouseoff-peakpower;17

iv. Thedevelopmentofwind,solar,andotheralternativesourcesofenergy18

incommunity-basedandindividuallyownedsystemswhereviable;19

v. Thedevelopmentofanationalelectricalgriddesignedwiththecapacity20

tocarryrenewableenergyfromtheproductionsourcetotheareas21

whereitisneeded;22

vi. Federalandstateelectricdistributionstudiesonruralelectric23

cooperative(REC)andmunicipalutilitylinesandsubstationstoidentify24

necessaryimprovementsandavailablecapacityforrenewableenergy25

production;26

vii. AnationalRenewablePortfolioStandard(RPS)of25percentby202527

thatincludesastronglocalownershipcomponent;28

viii. Whensitinglines“crosscountry,”citizeninputshouldbeafirstpriority29

inthesitingprocess;30

ix. Whennewtransmissionlinesandsubstationsareplaced,ayearlyrental31

paymenttothelandownershouldbeestablished;32

121

x. Theuseofthebestavailablecleanairtechnologywhenusingfossilfuels1

toevenouttheproductionofelectricityfromrenewablesources.Theuse2

offossilfuelsinconjunctionwithrenewableenergysourcesisnecessary3

giventoday’sleveloftechnologytoproducereliableandaffordable4

electricity;and5

xi. Considerationandmitigationofthenegativeimpactsonoureconomyof6

eliminatingcoal-firedpowerplantsbeforetheyachievetheirmaximum7

intendedlifecycle.8

Weoppose:9

i. InfringementupontheexistingserviceareasofRECsbyinvestor-owned10

companies;11

ii. Federallymandatedrestructuringoftheelectricutilitiesindustry;12

iii. Developmentoflocaltransmissionlines,whichdonotensurefinancing13

forlow-voltageupgrades,whichwillbeneededformanycommunity14

energyprojectstoreachtheselargergrids;15

iv. NEPAstudiesonpubliclandsforenergytransmissioncorridorswithout16

localnotificationoflandownersandlocalgovernmentsatthescoping17

process;and18

v. Grantingeminentdomainauthoritytooronbehalfofforeign19

corporations,stateorfederalgovernmentsformerchanttransmissionor20

non-publicutilityprojects,andanynewnuclearplantsintheUnited21

Statesuntilsafetyissuesarereviewedandconfirmed.22

3. ECONOMICASSISTANCE23

Wesupport:24

i. UtilizationandadequatefundingoftheUSDARuralUtilitiesService25

(RUS)toprovidedirectlow-interestloanstoruralelectriccooperatives26

andtheirmemberstocarryoutrenewableenergyprojectsandenergy27

conservationmeasures;28

ii. ExpandingRUS’sroletoprovidefundingforfinancingrenewableenergy29

transmissionandsubstationstocommunity-basedprojects;30

iii. Assistancetolandownerassociationsorgroupstoconductrenewable31

energyresourceassessmentsandenvironmentalimpactsstudies;and32

122

iv. Fulldisclosureofallclassificationsofsubsidiesreceivedbyprivate1

utilities.2

4. PUBLICOWNERSHIPOFPOWERMARKETINGADMINISTRATIONANDPOWER3

GENERATORS4

Publicownershiphasbeenanessentialelementinprovidingreasonablypriced5

hydroelectricpowertoruralareasintheUnitedStates.Accesstofederallyproduced6

andsubsidizedpowermustbeguaranteedtonewandexistingpublicorcooperative7

electricutilities.WeopposethesaleofPowerMarketingAdministrations(PMA),the8

TennesseeValleyAuthority(TVA),stateortriballyowneddamsorotherpublicly9

ownedpowergenerators.10

5. HYDROELECTRICPOWER11

NFUrecognizesthathydroelectricpowerisanimportantrenewableenergy12

source.13

Wesupport:14

i. Continueddevelopmentofhydroelectricpowersites,wheretheyare15

cost-effectiveandecologicallyandenvironmentallycompatible,and16

upgradingofcurrentsitesforbetterefficiency;17

ii. AmendingtheFederalPowerActtoprovidepreferencetoruralelectric18

cooperativesinthelicensingandre-licensingofwaterpowerprojects;19

iii. Inclusionofsmallhydroandexistinghydroinnationalrenewableenergy20

legislation;and21

iv. Fundsreceivedfromsaleofpublicwaterthatdisplaceshydrogeneration22

beingreturnedtothegeneratingauthority.23

6. PIPELINES24

Wesupport:25

i. Anunderstandableprocessthatclarifieswhenandhoweminentdomain26

canbeused,whohaswhatliabilitywheretherearedamagesfrom27

pipelinefailure,sitingstandardsandroutingcriteria,environmental28

considerations,anddecommissioningexpectationsandcosts.The29

processshouldprovidefortransparencyintheplanningandrouting30

processincludingpublicinput,faircompensationtolandownersanda31

processtodealwithlandownerandpubliccomplaintsandconflicts;32

123

ii. Pipelinedevelopersbeingbarredfromusingnon-disclosureagreements1

priorto,during,andaftercontractnegotiations;2

iii. Privatelyownedpipelinecompaniesbuildingandoperatingapipeline3

maintaininginsurance/bondstocoverliabilityforpipelinefailurecosts4

associatedwithenvironmentaldamage,healthandpublicsafetyissues,5

infrastructurecostsandmaintenance,emergencyresponsesituations6

andcostsifthepipelinedevelopersarenolongerinbusinessorlackthe7

financialresourcestocovertheseliabilities,includinginthecaseof8

bankruptcy;9

iv. Regulationsmandatingthatsoildisturbedduringpipelineconstruction10

bereturnedtoitspreviousconditionandfarmlandreturnedtoits11

previouslevelofproduction;and12

v. Adequatecompensationforlandownersforlossinvalueofafarm13

crossedbyapipeline,foranyfuturelosstolandvalueassociatedwith14

thepipelineoritsconstruction.15

Weoppose:16

i. Theclassificationofaprivate,foreign-ownedpipelineasapublicutility;17

ii. Theclassificationofaforeign-ownedpipelineasacommoncarrierunless18

itcanbedemonstratedthatthemajorityofthetransportedmaterialis19

fromdomesticsourcesandthatmajorityofthetransportedmaterialis20

fordomesticconsumption;21

iii. Pipelineconstructionacrossfarmlandwithoutpermissionofallaffected22

landowners;and23

iv. Forcingadditionalrightsofwayorleasesuponlandownerswherealease24

orrightofwaycurrentlyexists,asthiswouldfurtherdevaluethelandfor25

agriculturaluse.26

C. DEVELOPMENTOFRENEWABLEENERGYANDFUELSFROMTHEFARM27

1. PRIORITIES28

NFUshouldpromote,expand,andensurelocalizedfarmerownershiptothe29

fullestdegreepossibleinrenewable/alternativeenergydevelopmentincluding30

wind,solar,biofuelsandothertechnologies.Policiesthatcanachievethisgoalare31

feed-intariffs,incentivesandmandatesforlocallyownedfacilities.Wesupportthe32

124

effortsof“host”communitiesandmunicipalitiestoaccuratelycalculatetheincome-1

generatingcapacityofpotentialrenewableenergyprojects,regardlessofownership2

type,andtoestablishfeeds,propertytaxprovisions,orimpactassessmentsto3

ensurethatareasonableamountoftheeconomicbenefitsaresharedbyallofthe4

localcommunitiesandresidentswithoutdeterringsmaller-scale,distributed,5

community-basedandindividuallyownedprojects.6

NFUshouldleadeffortstoeducatefamilyfarmers,ranchersandrural7

communitiesabouthowtoadapttotheeffectsofclimatechangeontheirown8

respectiveoperations,aswellastheenormouseconomicbenefitsthatrenewable9

energybringstoourruralareas.10

Wesupport:11

i. Expandedresearchanddevelopmentdollarsandfullfundingfor12

renewableenergyprogramsandtechnology;13

ii. Thedevelopmentandpromotionofrenewableenergysources14

appropriatetotheirlocationanddirectedtowarddevelopingself-15

sufficientunitssuitableforfarm,home,smallindustryandbusinessuse;16

iii. Farmer-ownedcooperativespursuingthedevelopmentandmarketingof17

renewableenergy;18

iv. AdequatefundinglevelsforfeasibilitystudiesundertheRuralEnergyfor19

AmericaProgramshouldbereinstatedandcoverallpre-development20

activitiesinvolved,includingthoroughwildlifestudiesbypublic21

agencies;22

v. Incentivesforlocaldevelopmentandownershipofrenewableenergy23

production;24

vi. Developmentofnewmarketsforcellulosicproductsfromperennial25

systems;26

vii. Enterpriseresearchtoevaluateanddevelopnewplantmaterial27

selectionsalongwithassociatedproduction,harvestingandprocessing28

technologiestodiscoveranddevelopnewusesforproductsofperennial29

systems;30

viii. Researchanddevelopmentonutilizingbiomassforenergyofallforms;31

ix. TheBiomassCropAssistanceProgramandothersuchprograms;32

125

x. Economicassistanceforfamilyfarmerstomakeagriculturemoreself-1

sufficientthroughincreasedapplicationofalternativeformsofenergy2

andenergyefficiency;3

xi. Reversingthetrendtowardconcentrationoftheownershiporcontrolof4

sources,productionanddistributionofenergy;5

xii. Targetingfundstoencouragediversified,community-basedand6

individuallyownedenergysystemsthatcreatejobsandnewwealthin7

ruralareasofourcountry;8

xiii. Eliminatingtheimportationofforeignsourcesofbiofuels;9

xiv. Animportfeeonnon-renewableforeign-producedenergy,tofundthe10

developmentofdomesticrenewableenergy;11

xv. CreationofaStrategicBiofuelsFeedstockReserve;12

xvi. Aprogramtotacklethelackofinfrastructureintheexpansionof13

renewableenergy.Wesupportmanyincreasesinresearchand14

development,particularlyintheareasof:15

a. Pipelinesdesignatedoralteredforthetransportofbiofuels;16

b. Solidifyingtherailroadsinthiscountrytomoverenewablefuels17

toeachcoast;18

c. Expandeduseofflex/blenderpumps;19

d. EstablishingE85fillingstations/pumps;and20

e. Expandingandcreatinganetworkoftransmissionlines21

throughoutthecountrytoaidinthemovementofrenewable22

energyfromsourcessuchaswindandsolar;23

xvii. Extensionandexpansionofrenewableenergytaxcredits,incentivesand24

loanguaranteeprogramsincludingapermanentrenewableenergy25

productiontaxcredit(PTC)thatincludesnonprofitorganizationsas26

qualifyingentities;27

xviii. Theuseofproductiontaxcreditstoprovidefinancialincentivesforwind28

andsolarenergydevelopment.Suchproductiontaxcreditsshould:29

a. Belong-term,20yearsatminimum;30

b. Includeactive,notjustpassiveincometaxcredits;31

126

c. Encouragelocalownershipofwindturbinemanufacturing,1

developmentandoperations;and2

d. Settheproductionandothertaxcreditlevelsforlocalcommunity3

andfarmer-ownedwindsystemsathigherlevelsandallowthem4

toberefundable;5

xix. Biodieselandethanolblenders’taxcreditsandthecellulosicproduction6

loanguarantees;7

xx. Policiestocreategreaterdomesticproductionofbiofuelfacilitiesand8

otherrenewableenergycomponents,suchaswindturbinesandsolar9

panels;10

xxi. FullyfundingtheBiopreferredProgram,aswellasensuringthefederal11

governmentisaleaderinprocuringtheseproducts;12

xxii. Expandedenergyconservationresearchanddevelopmentaswellas13

implementationofprogramsthatencouragetheconservationofenergy14

inputsbytheagriculturalandfoodsectors;15

xxiii. Workingwithlandownersandothergroupstodevelopalandowner’sbill16

ofrightsforrenewableenergy;17

xxiv. Researchanddevelopmentontheproductionoffuelsandfertilizersfrom18

renewableelectricity;19

xxv. Expandingtheutilizationofanaerobicdigestersinacomplimentary20

efforttoproduceenergy,participateincarbonoffsetmarkets,and21

managewasteonlivestockoperations;22

xxvi. Fundingforresearchandtechnicaladvancementofenergystorage23

systemsallowingforreliableandconsistentavailabilityofrenewable24

energy;25

xxvii. Thegovernmentpurchasingandusingflex-fuelvehiclesandfuelingthem26

withrenewablefuels;27

xxviii. Anationalnetmeteringstandardforsystemsupto100kWinorderto28

helpexpandtheuseofsmallerwindandsolarenergysystems;and29

xxix. TheCommunityBasedEnergyDevelopment(CBED)ownershipmodel30

createdinMinnesotaandNebraska.31

Weoppose:32

127

i. Effortsbypowerutilitiestodiscouragedistributedsolarandother1

renewablepowergeneration,includingbutnotlimitedto,raisingbase2

monthlyrates,eitherspecificallytoindividualrenewableenergy-3

producingcustomersortoallcustomersingeneral;and4

ii. Fuelsthatareimportedorderivedfromimportedcommoditiesbeing5

eligibleforanytaxincentivesorexemptions.6

2. ETHANOL7

Wesupport:8

i. Anethanolprogramtoinclude:9

a. Renewableresourcesthatshouldbeestablishedthroughlow-10

interestfederalloanstofarmer-ownedcooperatives;11

b. Furtherfederallegislationtoprovideforconversionoffarm12

productsandbyproductsintoethanolemphasizingon-farmand13

localcooperativesitedevelopment;14

c. Federallegislationtoextendpermanentlythefederalgasoline15

excisetaxexemptiononethanol-enhancedfuels;16

d. Statelegislationgrantingtaxcreditsoneachgallonofethanol-17

enhancedfuelsoldwithineachstate;18

e. Promotionofresearchonusageandmarketingofdrydistillers19

grainforfeedandothervalue-addeduses;20

f. Anaggressiveandambitiouscellulosicprogram,gearedtorapidly21

developingnecessarytechnology,tocomplimenttraditional22

ethanolsuppliesofmotorfuel;23

g. ExpansionofavailablegasolineblendstoE15orhigher,as24

supportedbyscientificdata;25

h. Flexibilityfornewfuelsystemstoaccommodateadvancesin26

ethanolblendutilizationtechnology;and27

i. Researchandproductionofenginesdesignedtorunsolelyon28

ethanol.29

ii. Theextensionoftheethanolfueltaxincentivetoincludetheethanol30

portionofethyltertiarybutylether(ETBE);31

128

iii. AllowingETBErefinerstheabilitytoclaimtheethanolexcisetax1

exemptionattheblendpoint;2

iv. Theuseofethanolasafueladditiveforgasolineformulationstoenhance3

octanelevels,withanexpandedroleofreplacingaromatics,in4

accordancewiththeCleanAirAct;5

v. Urgingallvehiclemanufacturerstoactivelyproduceandmarketflex-fuel6

optionsinallmarketclasses;and7

Weoppose:8

i. Anyfutureeffortstoeliminateethanoltaxincentives;9

ii. LiabilityprotectionforMTBEproducers;and10

iii. Anyfurtheruseofmethyltertiarybutylether(MTBE)ingasoline.11

3. RENEWABLEFUELSTANDARD12

Wesupport:13

i. ExpandingtheRenewableFuelStandard(RFS)tosetanambitious14

mandateforproductionofbiofuelstomakeupone-thirdofthenation’s15

fuelsupplyassoonaspossible,consistentwithgrainavailabilityfor16

livestockproduction;17

ii. Separatemandatesofproductionforeachformofbiofuel,including18

cellulosicethanolandbiodiesel;19

iii. FullimplementationofRFSlegislationthatwill:20

a. Supplyclean-burningethanoltoreduceairpollution,;21

b. Providestrictanti-backslidingrequirementsintheRFS;22

c. Ensurethatairqualitygainsfromthereformulatedgasoline23

programsarepreserved;24

d. Provideincentivestoexpanduseofotherbiofuels,andencourage25

theuseofeligiblefeedstockstomeettherequirementsforother26

advancedbiofuelsundertheRFS;and27

e. EstablishingaseparaterequirementforanationalRFSfor28

biodieseluseintransportationfuels;29

iv. LegislationtoensurethatAmericanfarmers,notethanolimporters,30

wouldbenefitfromtheRFS;and31

129

v. LegislationthatwouldamendtheCaribbeanBasinInitiativebylimiting1

ethanolimportsthatareonlypartiallyproducedintheCaribbeanBasin2

andqualifyforduty-freestatus.3

Weoppose:4

i. Ethanolimportschemesthatwouldthwartethanolimporttariffs;5

ii. Theimportationofrenewablefuels;and6

iii. ChangestotheRFSmandatethatarenotbasedonthebestavailable7

scienceandsubjecttopublicreview.8

4. BIODIESEL9

Wesupport:10

i. Farmer-ownedcooperativesandothersprovidinghigherblendsof11

biodieselfuelstotheircustomersandurgemarinastooffer12

biodegradablebiodieselfuelstotheircustomers;13

ii. Increasedresearchfundingtodemonstratetheeffectivenessofbiodiesel14

asatransportationfuel,forgeneratingelectricity,andasareplacement15

forhomeheatingoil;16

iii. Researchanddevelopmentofoilseedcropsandanimalbyproductsfor17

useasbiodieselalternativefuels;18

iv. DOEdevelopingarapidcommercializationprogramforbiodiesel;19

v. Legislationtoprovidefortherecyclingofusedcookingoilsandwaste20

greasesgeneratedatgovernmentfacilitiestobeprocessedintobiodiesel21

foruseingovernmentvehiclefleets,whereverfeasible;and22

vi. ASTMD6751asthebiodieselindustry’squalitystandardstomeetthe23

requirementsoftherailroads,militaryandotherheavyindustry.24

5. COMPRESSEDNATURALGAS25

Wesupportthedevelopmentofinfrastructuretopermituseofcompressed26

naturalgasasatransportationfuel.27

6. WINDENERGY28

Wesupport:29

i. Developmentanddistributionofelectricgenerationfromwind,including30

areasonabletimelineforapprovalforinterconnectiontotheelectric31

grid;32

130

ii. Effortstoeducateourfarmersandranchersabouttheirwindrightsand1

otherrelatedissues;2

iii. Federallegislationtorequireallutilitiestoallowcommunity-basedwind3

projectsaccesstotheelectricgridbyactivelypursuingpowerpurchase4

agreements;5

iv. Accountbalancingofsmallwindgeneratorsonanannualbasis;and6

v. CreatingagrantprogramforlocalRECswhowillupgradetheirsystemto7

monitortheflowofenergybothwayswithintheirsystemtoacceptnet-8

meteredenergyproducedbyalocalRECcustomer.9

7. SOLARENERGY10

Wesupport:11

i. Thedevelopmentofsolarenergy,includingsolarthermal;12

ii. Communitysolargardenmodelstoallowforgreaterparticipationin13

solarprojects;14

iii. Educatingourlandownersaboutsolarrightsandotherrelatedissues;15

iv. Researchintoconcentratedsolarandotherdevelopingsolar16

technologies;17

v. Replacingfossilfuel-poweredheatinganddryingapplicationswithsolar18

poweredsystems;and19

vi. Thedevelopmentofcommunityandcommercialsolarfarmsinareas20

withnocurrentvalue-addeduse.21

8. RENEWABLEENERGYSTORAGE22

Wesupportdevelopmentofstoragetechnologyforelectricityproducedby23

intermittentrenewablesources,includingbutnotlimitedtohydroelectricpump-24

back,batterytechnologies,fuelcelltechnologyandothers.25

9. COOPERATIVEDEMONSTRATIONS26

Wesupport:27

i. Consumer-ownedutilitiesunitingtodevelopanddemonstratethe28

economicfeasibilityofrenewableandotheralternateenergysystems.29

Theeconomicviabilityofthosecooperativeutilitiesmustbetakeninto30

consideration;31

131

ii. Cooperativesprovidingconsumerspriceincentivesforusingethanol-or1

biodieselenhancedfuels;2

iii. ContinuedfederalfundingfortheGreatPlainsSynfuelsPlant;and3

iv. Placingalternativemarketingdevicesforalternativefuelssuchas4

E85/biodieselandflex/blenderpumpsateverycooperativeretailerin5

thenation.6

D. ENVIRONMENTALPRECAUTIONINENERGYPRODUCTIONANDUSE7

Wesupport:8

1. TheCleanAirAct;9

2. Regulationsthatemphasizeachievingthegreatestamountofpollution10

controlthroughthemostcost-effectivemeasuresavailable;and11

3. Dieselemissionsbeingreducedinthemostcost-effectivemannerpossible,12

consistentwithgoodfueleconomy.13

1. FUELSTORAGETANKS14

Wesupport:15

i. Rulesforundergroundfuelstoragetanksthatprovidecostsharingto16

mitigatethefinancialimpactofcomplianceonfarmer-owned,locally17

ownedandcooperativelyownedoutlets;18

ii. AnexemptionforfarmandranchuseintheEPArulepertainingto19

existingabove-groundfuelstoragetanks;and20

iii. Above-groundfuelstoragetanksbeingmonitoredandreplacedonanas-21

neededbasisastheconditionofthetankschangeandleakingbecomes22

detectable.23

2. WASTEPRODUCTS24

Wesupport:25

i. Recyclingasasociallyresponsibleactivity;26

ii. Federalassistancetohelpestablishaneffectiverecyclingsystem27

throughoutthecountryforagricultural,post-consumerandindustrial28

waste;29

iii. Onlytheenvironmentallysafeuseofsolidwastesintheproductionof30

energy;and31

132

iv. Compostingoffoodandorganicfiberwaste,andtheopeningofmarkets1

forthesaleanddistributionofthecompostedproducts,especiallyfor2

schoolsandotherpublicinstitutions.3

3. HYDRAULICFRACTURINGANDWASTEWATERINJECTION4

Wesupport:5

i. Holdingenergycompaniesthatusethehydraulicfracturingprocessand6

wastewaterinjectionwellownersliableforanyandallexpenses7

resultingfromenvironmentaldamage,earthquakesandhealthimpacts8

incurredasaresultoftheactivityandhandlingofwastewaterandother9

byproductsassociatedwiththeextractionprocess;10

ii. AcompleteEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS),withassessmentsof11

healthandeconomicimpacts,baselinewaterqualityandquantityand12

theeffectofadiversionofwaterthatmaycurrentlybeassignedto13

agricultural,privateandmunicipaluseorundercontractedobligations;14

iii. Localoversightandregulationofthefrackingprocessandwastewater15

disposal;16

iv. Mandatorydisclosureofthechemicals,includingpercentages,usedin17

frackingdrillingfluidsandwastewaterinjection.Suchchemicalsmustbe18

identifiedasenvironmentallysafebeforeuseorinjection;19

v. Mandatorymonitoringofpossiblegroundwatercontaminationand20

oversightofwastewaterinjectionwells;and21

vi. CompliancewiththeFederalRighttoKnowAct(EmergencyPlanning22

andCommunityRighttoKnowAct).Oilandgaswelloperatorsmust23

reportallhazardouschemicalsinuseorstoredatdrillingsitestothe24

StateEmergencyResponseCommission(SERC).TheSERCshallmaintain25

acurrentdatabasewiththisinformationthatiseasilyaccessibletofirst26

respondersandthepublic.27

E. LANDOWNERRIGHTSINNATURALRESOURCESPROJECTDEVELOPMENT(WIND,SOLAR,28

FRACKING,OIL,ETC.)29

Wesupportacomprehensivepolicythatprotectslandownersfromspeculationand30

unfaircontractsinthedevelopmentofnaturalresources.Wesupportthefollowing31

landowners’rights:32

133

1. Prohibitionofnon-disclosureorsecrecyclausesinleases.Landowners1

shouldbeallowedtoreviewleaseswithattorneys,lendersandotherholders2

ofleasestoascertaintherelativevalueofaleaseoffer;3

2. Establishmentofaregistryofcurrentstandardnaturalresourcesleasesthat4

isaccessibletothepublic;5

3. Prohibitingmandatoryarbitrationclausestoensuretherightofcivil6

litigationforlandownersinleasedisputesandhelpbalancethelegal7

interestsoflandownersanddevelopers;8

4. Limitinglengthofleaseoptionstoencouragetheuseofleaseoptionsfor9

actualdevelopmentinsteadofspeculation;windandsolarpowerleasesto10

terminateafterfiveyearsiftheprojectisnotdeveloped;11

5. Privatepropertyrights,includingownershipoflandandallitsattributes12

above,on,andbelowthesurface,unlessotherwisemarketed;13

a. Wesupportaregulatoryprocessthatensurestheendingspotand14

directionofdirectionaldrilling,and15

b. Weurgelegislationtoapportionthepresentrealestatetaxbetween16

thesurfaceownerandthemineralowner;17

6. Authorizingcollectivebargainingofleasestoencouragefairnessinthe18

applicationofleasetermsamongmultiplelandowners;19

7. Bondingandreclamationprotectionstoencourageresponsibleenergy20

developmentandtransmissionatoutsetoftheleasebyprovidingfundsup21

frontforreclamationoflandafterequipment,towerorprojectlifehas22

expired;23

8. Prohibitingpriorinvestmentasaconditionofleaseoroptionoffulfillment;24

9. Prohibitingfarmlandownershipbyenergydevelopmentorgeneration25

companiestoensurethatagriculturallandremainsinthehandsof26

producersandretainstheagriculturalvalueofthelandusedinenergy27

development;28

10. Prohibitingrightoffirstrefusalbydevelopers,whichallowsadeveloperto29

tieupland,and/orreducemarketabilityoflandowner’slandwithout30

purchasinganoption;31

11. Disclosureofactualleasepaymentsincontracts;32

134

12. Threedaycooling-offperiodafteraleaseagreementissignedtoallowa1

landownertohaveawindowtoreconsiderif,forexample,hisorher2

attorneyhasanobjectiontothecontractlanguage;3

13. Ownershipofwind,solar,andmineralrightsshouldnotbeseveredfrom4

surfacerightsandownershipofland;5

14. Ownershipofwindrightsshouldextenduptoaminimumof100feetabove6

theheightofthewindturbine;7

15. Enactingamoratoriumonindustrialwindsitinginfederalwatersuntilan8

openpublicprocessisdevelopedforsitingindustrialwindpower9

generation;10

16. Landownerssharinginpercentageofenergyrevenuestransmittedthrough11

transmissionlinessitedontheirproperty;12

17. Landownermodelsfordevelopingtransmissionassociationsthatwillcreate13

transmissioncorridorsandreceivecompensationonanannualbasis14

throughroyaltiesratherthanone-timepayments;and15

18. Anannualtaxcreditforlandownerswithrenewableenergytransmission16

basedonvalueoflandimpactedbydevelopment.17

135

ARTICLEIX–ECONOMICREGULATIONANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

A. FEDERALBUDGETREFORM2

Thefederalbudgetprocessisnotworkingeffectively.WeurgeCongresstorevise3

theentirebudgetprocesstopreventunderstatingthetruedeficitproblemandto4

providerealisticreductiongoals.5

Tocurethestructuralfailings,wesupport:6

1. CongressimposingthesameGenerallyAcceptedAccountingPrinciples7

(GAAP)onthefederalgovernmentasithasimposedonprivatefinancial8

institutions;9

2. StaticscoringbytheCongressionalBudgetOffice(CBO)andJointCommittee10

onTaxation;11

3. Alllong-termcreditprograms,permanentandlong-termimprovements,12

multipurposeconservation,damandwatershedprojects,publicbuildings,13

highwaysandinlandwaterways,beplacedina“capitalbudget,”distinct14

fromtheannualoperationbudget;15

4. Farmers’assessmentsortrustfundrevenuesnotbeingusedfordeficit16

reductions;17

5. Congressdemonstratingfiscalresponsibilitybythemandatoryreviewofall18

currentlyimplementedlegislation,andnewlegislationcontaining19

mandatorysunsetclausestoensuretimelyreview;20

6. Programsthatfailtomeettheirintendedobjectivestobereviewedand21

restructuredorterminated;and22

7. Notpunishingthefarmbillbaselinebudgetforsavingsgeneratedthrough23

thesafetynet.24

Weoppose:25

1. Usingbudgetsequestrationinanattempttoreducethefederaldeficit;26

2. Anyproposedagriculturalcutstorelievethefederaldeficit;27

3. Attemptstoreducefundingforfarmbillprogramsthroughbudget28

reconciliation;and29

4. Dynamicscoring.30

B. MONEYANDCREDITPOLICY(ALSOSEEARTICLEIV–CREDITANDTHEFAMILYFARM)31

Wesupport:32

136

1. Consumer,farmerandsmallbusinessrepresentationontheFederalReserve1

Board(Fed);2

2. RequiringtheFedtocomplywithprovisionsoftheHumphrey-HawkinsFull3

EmploymentandBalancedGrowthActof1978;4

3. Congressimmediatelyauthorizinganonpoliticaloutsideentitytoconducta5

thoroughauditandinvestigationoftheFedanditspolicies;and6

4. Allowingcannabisandcannabis-relatedbusinessesthatarestateregulated7

tohaveaccesstothenormalbankingsystem.8

C. BANKREGULATION9

Fromthebeginningsofthiscountry,publicpolicyhasfavoredadecentralized10

bankingsystem,avoidingtheabusesthatwouldcomefromahighlyconcentrated11

financialstructure.12

Weareconcernedaboutrecenttrendsinbankregulationthathaveacceleratedthe13

lossofindependentcommunitybanksandhavedecreasedthebanks’desiretoservice14

agriculturalcreditneeds.Ithasalsoreducedcommunityreinvestment.15

Wesupport:16

1. Re-regulationofthefinancialservicesindustryandreinstatingprovisionsof17

theGlass-SteagallActof1933,whichwouldprohibitcommercialbanksfrom18

engaginginspeculativeinvestmentsusingbankdepositorfunds;19

2. Theconsumerprotectionprovisionsandeasingtheregulatoryrequirements20

onsmallbankswithinDodd-Frank;21

3. MaintainingindividualFederalDepositInsuranceCorporation(FDIC)22

coverageofatleast$250,000,asgrosssalestransactionsinagriculturehave23

increasedoverthepastnumberofyears;24

4. Makingallfinancialinstitutionsawarethat“toobigtofail”willnotbe25

toleratedinthefuture;26

5. Vigorousinvestigationandprosecutionofcriminalactivityinourfinancial27

institutions;and28

6. Reestablishmentofsmalltransactionfeestoreducetheabusesofhigh29

frequencytrading.30

D. CREDITUNIONS31

Wesupport:32

137

1. MaintainingtheNationalCreditUnionShareInsuranceFundasaseparate1

andindependentagencyfromotherfederaldepositinsurancesystems;2

2. Thecreditunionmovementinitseffortstocombattheanti-competitive3

regulatorytacticsundertakenbyothersegmentsofthefinancialservices4

industry;and5

3. TherightofallAmericanstochoosehowandwheretheydeposittheir6

earningsandtransacttheirpersonalfinancialbusiness.7

Weopposeanyproposalthatseekstocurtailservicesbycreditunionstotheir8

membersunderthefalseguiseofregulatoryreformorfinancialsoundness.Such9

proposalsareespeciallydiscriminatoryagainstruralcreditunionsthatprovide10

agriculturalcreditservices.11

E. ESTATEANDGIFTTAXPOLICY12

Wesupport:13

1. Estatetaxreliefforfamily-ownedfarms,ranchesandsmallbusinessesin14

ordertofacilitatethetransferofthoseenterprisestothenextgeneration;15

2. Creatingpolicythattaxesagricultureestatesbasedonproductionvalueand16

notonpotentialdevelopmentvaluesolongastheestateanditsproperty17

remaininagricultureproduction;18

3. Permanentlymaintainingthefederalestatetaxexemptionperindividualat19

$10million,$20millionpercouple,indexedforinflation,withanadditional20

$5millionexemptioniftheestatecontinuestobeoperatedbyafamily21

memberortransferstoabeginningfarmer;22

4. Simplifyingtheexemptionqualificationrulesandrequirements;and23

5. Implementinggraduatedrateswithabaserateof35percent.24

Weopposeshiftingtaxliabilityfromtheestatetaxtothecapitalgainstaxthrough25

theeliminationofthe“step-up”inbasisprovision.26

F. IRSTAXCODE1031EXCHANGES27

Wesupport:28

1. AstudyontheimpactofIRSTaxCode1031Exchanges(StarkerExchange)29

onfarmlandvalues;30

2. Thereturntoastricterinterpretationoflikekindpropertyexchanges,i.e.31

agriculturallandforagriculturalland;and32

138

3. Allowingpropertyownersaminimumof18monthstoidentifyandcomplete1

a1031exchangeifthepropertywaslostthrougheminentdomain(alsosee2

ArticleVI.Q–EminentDomain)3

G. INCOMETAXREFORMS4

Wesupport:5

1. Amoreprogressivetaxstructureandopposeaflattax;6

2. Asimplifiedtaxcode;7

3. Thefulldeductibilityfortheindividualpaymentofpremiumsforhealth,8

disabilityandlong-termcare.Premiumsonlifeinsurancebenefitsupto9

$500,000,orasrequiredtobecarriedbycreditors,shouldalsobe10

deductible;11

4. Alimitedrefundablefederalincometaxcreditequaltoallorapercentageof12

thestateandlocalrealestatetaxespaidbyfarmersandrancherson13

farmlandutilizedforcommercialagricultureproduction;14

5. Incomefromafarmsalebeingputintoatax-deferredindividualretirement15

account(IRA);16

6. Annualgifttaxlimitsof$25,000perindividual;17

7. Theconceptoffamilysavingsaccounts,thesaver’screditforlow-income18

familieswithnetincomesof$40,000orless,andotherstateandfederal19

programsknownasanIndividualDepositAccount(IDA)thataretargetedat20

low-incomesavers;21

8. Permanenttaxlegislationfordeductionsofexpensesaccruedonthefarm22

andranchundersection179ofthetaxcodeofnolessthan$500,000;and23

9. Taxexpensingtoolsthatallowfamilyfarmerstoelecttodeductpartorallof24

thecostofqualifyingfarmassetsintheyeartheyareplacedinservice.Such25

toolsincludeadequatelyhighlimitsoftheaccelerateddepreciation26

deductionandbonusdepreciationdeductions.27

H. TAXATION28

Wesupport:29

1. Legislationthatwouldholdmultinationalandoff-shorecorporations30

responsiblefortheirfulltaxburden,includinguserfeestocoverthecostof31

importinspections;32

139

2. Closingtaxloopholesforcorporationsandindividualstobalancethetax1

burdenforfundingthefederalgovernment;2

3. Therightofstategovernmentstotaxproductionofnonrenewableresources3

suchascoal,oil,naturalgasandminerals;4

4. ReformingU.S.capitalgainstaxlawstoallowtax-freeconversionoffarm5

assetsinexchangeforinvestmentsinallcategoriesavailabletothegeneral6

publicandotherbusinessentities;7

5. A$500,000capitalgainsexemptiontaxonfarmrealestatesalescomparable8

tothecurrentresidentialsalesexemption;and9

6. Studyingtheinclusionofafederalmechanismtoequalizetheeffectsof10

foreignconsumptiontaxesontrade.11

Weoppose:12

1. Multinationalcorporationsmovingtotaxhavenstoavoidtaxliabilities;13

2. Legislationandcourtactionthatwouldprohibitstatesfromtaxing14

multinationalcorporationsbasedonthevolumeofbusinessdoneinthe15

state;16

3. Anytaxationfortheuseoftheinternet;17

4. Enactmentofanationalsalestax;18

5. Unfundedfederalmandatesbeingimposedonstateandlocaljurisdictions;19

6. Effortstoprohibitthecashmethodofincomeandexpenseaccounting;and20

7. ABorderAdjustmentTax(BAT).21

I. TAXCREDIT22

Aproperlydesignedtaxcreditcanencouragenewenterprisesinruralcommunities,23

beastimulusforencouragingnewfamilyfarmsandfamilyfishingbusinessesandbean24

opportunityforretiringfarmerstoselltheiroperationstobeginningfamilyfarmers.25

Wesupport:26

1. Ataxcredit,targetedtotheselleroffarmland,whosellstoabeginningor27

youngfarmer;28

2. Creditbeingextendedtoasaleoflandorasmallbusinessfromone29

generationtothenext;30

3. Continuationoftheinvestmenttaxcredit;31

140

4. Afederaltaxcreditforapprovedconservationpracticesfornon-deductible1

expenses;and2

5. Aninvestmentintaxcreditallowancetofarmer-ownedcooperativesthat3

buildfacilitiesinruralAmerica.Theinvestmenttaxcreditshouldbe4

requiredtobeallocatedbacktothepatron-membersoftheco-op.5

Weopposetheforcedsaleofassetsunderreceivershipofbankruptcyresultingin6

taxliabilitiesthatexceedthecapacityofassetliquidationfundstomeetthosetax7

obligations.8

J. COMMODITYFUTURES9

Toensurethattheobjectivesofthecommodityfuturesregulatorystatutesare10

carriedout,wesupport:11

1. OversightandauthorizationjurisdictionfortheCommodityFuturesTrading12

Commission(CFTC)beingmaintainedbytheSenateandHouseAgriculture13

Committees;effortstomergetheCFTCwiththeSecuritiesandExchange14

Commission(SEC)shouldbedefeated;15

2. Increasedfarmowner-operatorrepresentationonexchangeboards,16

specificallyonthosecommitteesresponsibleforrulemakingrelatingtonew17

agriculturalcommoditycontracts;18

3. Establishingappropriatecontractandaggregatepositionlimitsforall19

commoditiesinallpricediscoverymarketswithinputfromagricultural20

producersandcommercialmarketusers;21

4. Thecollectionandpublishingofdataonthetotalvalueofindexfundsand22

otherpassivelyheldlong-onlypositionsinallmarkets;23

5. Requiringover-the-counter(OTC)tradesbeclearedbyaCFTC-regulated24

clearingorganizationandreportedpublicly;25

6. Increasedtransparencybetweendomesticandforeignboardsoftrade;26

7. Clearlydefininghedgersandthehedgerexemptiontoonlyincludethose27

withalegitimatecommercialinterestinthephysicalcommodity;and28

8. Studyinganddevelopingnewresearchrevenuestreamssuchasan29

assessmentonagriculturalcommodityfuturescontracts.30

141

Weopposetheadoptionofpoliciesthatshiftagriculturalrisktoindividual1

producersandforceproducerstodependonthecommodityexchangesforrisk2

managementprotection.3

Accordingly,CFTCshould:4

1. Guardagainstinsidertradingbyindividualsorfirms;5

2. Examineandinvestigatetheroleofincreasingmarketpoweroffunds,the6

connectionsbetweenfundsandlargecommercialinterests,theabilityof7

theseorganizationstoexchangeinformationandtheeffectsonthe8

commoditiesmarket;9

3. Ensurethereareanadequatenumberofdeliverypointsforhedging10

participants;11

4. Workincooperationwithotherfederalandstatesecuritiesenforcement12

agenciestoinvestigateandprosecuteviolatorsoftheCommoditiesExchange13

Act;14

5. Monitorwithspecialvigilanceanymarketmovementsthatindicatea15

deliberateaccumulationofexcessivespeculativepositionsthatexceedsthe16

limitednumberofpositionsanindividualspeculatormayholdandto17

exercise,whennecessary,theemergencypowersgrantedbytheAct;18

6. Monitorandguardagainstproposalsbythecommodityfuturesexchanges19

impactingtradingrulesandtradinglimitsthatwouldincreasemarket20

volatilitytothedetrimentofagriculturalproducers;21

7. Continuetomonitoroff-exchange-tradedagriculturaloptionsandensure22

theyareoperatedinamannerthatbenefitsfamilyfarmers;23

8. Monitoractivityonso-called“darkmarkets;”and24

9. Haveaminimumofthreeofthefivecommissionerswithagricultural25

backgrounds.26

142

ARTICLEX–RURALDEVELOPMENTANDTHEFAMILYFARM1

A. RURALCOMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT2

Wesupportacomprehensiveruraldevelopmentpolicythatincludes:3

1. Coordinationandcooperationofthevariousgovernmentagenciesinvolved4

tobetterutilizeexistingprogramsandfunds;5

2. Considerationofsocialneeds,suchasalivingwage,healthcare,childcare,6

educationandhumanresourcedevelopment,aswellasventurecapital,7

transportationandtelecommunications;8

3. Researchanddevelopmentofadditionalandalternativeusesforexisting9

agriculturalandseafoodcommoditiesandnewalternativecropsandfish10

stocks,withacommitmenttomarketingandprocessingtheseproducts;11

4. Developmentoflocalexpertise,tomakethebestuseofavailableprograms12

andlocaltalent;13

5. Low-interestloanandgrantprogramsthatfosterthedevelopmentofvalue-14

addedproducts;15

6. Low-interestloanandgrantprogramsthatfosterenergyefficiencyand16

renewableenergyproduction;17

7. Creationofagriculturalopportunitiesforanewgenerationofbeginning18

farmersasacentralcomponentofruraldevelopment;19

8. Theorganizationofcooperativeenterprisesthatretainequity,controland20

ownershipwithinruralcommunitiesasaprovenself-help,home-grown21

ruraldevelopmentmechanismwhichbuildsneededeconomicinfrastructure22

forruralpeople;23

9. Accesstocredit,technicalexpertiseandmarketsasessentialingredientsin24

securingopportunitiesforruralandagriculturalenterprises;25

10. Competitivegrantsandproduceropportunitypaymentstostimulate26

research,education,marketdevelopmentandfarminnovationthatincrease27

thefarmandranchshareoffoodsystemprofit;28

11. Revitalizationofagriculturalcommunitiesthroughentrepreneurship,29

enhancedfoodsecuritybyofferingconsumersgreaterchoiceandaccesstoa30

diversityofagriculturalproducts;31

143

12. Theapproval,fundingandconstructionofwaterprojectsandwastesystems1

forruralcommunitiesandIndianreservations;2

13. Thedevelopmentoffarmer-ownedcooperativefacilities;3

14. Increasedfundingofloansandgrantstoruralcommunitiesforadvanced4

telecommunicationstoimproveschools,medicalfacilities,judicialsystems5

andotheressentialservices;6

15. Increasedfundingforloansandgrantsforruralessentialservices7

infrastructure;8

16. RuralUtilitiesService(RUS),RuralBusiness-CooperativeService(RBS),and9

RuralHousingService(RHS)usinglocalinvestmentrevolvingfunds,grants10

andtechnicalassistance;11

17. TheResourceConservationandDevelopment(RC&D)programtoencourage12

andimprovethecapabilityofvolunteers,locallyelectedofficialsandcivic13

leaders;and14

18. Incentivesforruralbusinessopportunitiesforveterans.15

Weopposeruraldevelopmentgrantsthatencouragetheestablishmentor16

expansionoflargernon-familyfarmsoropenoceanaquaculture.17

B. TRANSPORTATION18

Anintegratedintermodaltransportationsystemofwaterways,railwaysandroadsis19

ofcrucialimportancetoAmerica’sfarmers.Maintenanceofaviable,competitive20

transportationnetworkwithintheUnitedStatesensuresthefreeflowoffarmproducts21

tothemarket.22

Wesupportfederaltransportationpolicythat:23

1. Fostersabalancedcompetitionbetweenallmodesoftransportationand24

maintainsprotectionsfortransportationusersinthoseareaswheresuch25

competitiondoesnotexist;26

2. Addressesderegulationofthenation’stransportationsystemthathas27

reducedthequalityof,oreliminatedaltogether,publictransportation28

servicesforsmallcitiesandruralcommunities.Thistrendhasbeenevident29

inairlineservicesforseveralyearsandisnowbeingfeltinreducedor30

eliminatedbusservice;31

144

3. Extendsthehazardousmaterialsexemptionfortransportationof1

agriculturalproductionmaterialstofamilyfarmersand/orend-users,asit2

relatestotheDepartmentofTransportation’sHM-200rule;3

4. ExemptsfarmmachineryoperatorsfromCommercialDriver’sLicense4

(CDL)requirements;5

5. ExemptsfarmoperationsthataredeliveringtheirownproductfromCDL6

requirements;and7

6. Encouragesdevelopmentofalternativetransportationsystemsincluding8

electric,CNG,andotheralternativefuels.9

Weoppose:10

1. Federalbudgetcutsthatcouldfurtherdamagethetransportationservices11

remaininginourruralcommunities;12

2. ProposalstoterminatefundingorprivatizeAmtrakrailservice;and13

3. Theuseofgastaxfundsfordeficitreduction.Federal,stateandlocalsupport14

mustbesuppliedtoprovideanintegratedtransportationsystemtoserve15

America’sfarmersandotherruralresidents.16

1. U.S.HIGHWAYTRUSTFUND17

Moneyraisedbyhighwayexcisetaxesandinterestearnedonsuchrevenues18

accumulatesintheHighwayTrustFundandcanonlybeusedforhighwaypurposes,19

withtheexceptionthatCongresshasallowedpartofsuchfundstobedivertedto20

masstransitconstructionandsubsidies.Wesupportusingaportionofthetrust21

fundtorepaircountyandruralbridgesthatarestructurallydeficient.22

2. TRUCKTRANSPORTATION23

NFUbelievesthatregulationofthetruckingindustryshouldfocusonhigh24

quality,energy-efficientandreliableserviceforruralareas.Honestcompetition25

shouldbeencouragedandratesshouldberegulatedtopreventunfairpracticesby26

truckingcompanies.27

Wesupport:28

i. Truckingindustryregulationsthatpermitcooperative-ownedtrucksto29

haulupto30percentofnon-member,generalmerchandise;30

ii. Reviewofbackhaulrestrictionsontrucking,whilemaintainingan31

emphasisonfoodsafety,tosaveenergyandlowershippingcosts;32

145

iii. Legislationtoprovideforuniformmaximumgrosstruckweightsand1

measures,alongwithharmonizedsafety,licenseandoperational2

regulationsacrossallstates;grandfatherprovisionsforthelonger3

lengthsandhighergrossweightspresentlyauthorizedincertainstates4

shouldbemaintained;5

iv. Exclusionoffarmvehicles,usedexclusivelytotransportproductsofthe6

farmerowner-operator,fromfederalhighway-usetaxescollectedbythe7

IRS,andexemptionfromanyunnecessaryfederalregulationregarding8

thetransportationofhazardoussubstancesbeingusedbyfarmersinthe9

courseoftheirownfarmingoperations.Farmmachineryandfarm10

vehiclesusedforoff-roadpurposesshouldbeexemptfromusingtaxable11

highwayfuel;and12

v. Increasedlawenforcementtoensurecommerceshippingissubjectto13

trafficlawsothatcommunityresidentsenjoyadequateprotectionof14

theirsafety.15

Theabove-listedregulations,aswellasU.S.safetystandards,mustapplytoall16

membersofNAFTA.17

Webelievefamily-farmoperationshaulingtheirowncommoditiesshouldbe18

exemptfrommileagelimitations,commercialdriver’slicenses,andcommercial19

trucklicensingrequirements,includingInternationalFuelTaxAssociation(IFTA)20

taxrequirementsandissuesrelativetotheFederalMotorCarrierSafetyAct.21

3. RAILTRANSPORTATION22

i. RailService23

Federalrailtransportationpolicyshouldrecognizethatderegulationof24

railroadscannotbetreatedinthesamemannerasderegulationofother25

industries.Continuingrailmergersresultineliminationofrailservicetomany26

communitiesandtheestablishmentofasinglerailroadservicetoentireportions27

ofthecountry.Federalpolicymustprovideforgovernmentregulationin28

instanceswherethereisnorailcompetition.29

Wesupport:30

a. TheSurfaceTransportationBoard(STB)addressingtheproblemsof31

captiveshippers,including:32

146

1. Ensuringthatcommoncarrierobligationsareadheredto;1

2. Providingoversightofbranch-lineabandonment,inaddition2

totransferringjurisdictionofbranch-lineabandonmentto3

stateregulatoryagenciesfromthefederalgovernment;4

3. Ensuringthatreasonablenoticeofratechangesiscontinued;5

4. Establishingtrackagerightsinordertoencouragerail-to-rail6

competition;7

5. Establishingreciprocalswitchingwithin,andforan8

appropriatedistanceoutsideofterminalsinorderto9

encouragerail-to-railcompetition;10

6. Authorizingamaximumrateforamovementtoacaptive11

shipper;12

7. Authorizing,whenpetitioned,theremovalofagreement13

provisionsthatpreventshort-linerailroadsfromdelivering14

traffictoanyrailroad;15

8. Enactingapolicythatwouldholdrailroadsresponsiblefor16

lossesduetodelayeddeliveryofrailcars;and17

9. Reasonableratesforlessthanunittrainpricing;18

b. Takingactiontoavoidarailcarshortagefortransportinggrainand19

otherperishablecommodities;20

c. Expansionofregionalrailroadswherelocalresidentsdeem21

appropriate,usingaroutethatsparesproductivefarmland;22

d. RailroadRegulatoryReformActof1980(StaggersAct);Legislation23

thatwouldprovideadequatebulkcommodityandintermodal24

shippingfacilities;25

e. Fundstofinanceasurveytodeterminethemostdesirablelocationof26

subterminalsaswellasadequatefinancingofsubterminalsand27

equipment,includingrollingstock;28

f. Provisionstoassurecontinuedlocalcontroloverthemovementand29

storageoffarmcommodities;30

g. Federallegislationthatwouldcreateruraltransportation31

cooperativesandfinanceprograms,patternedaftertheruralelectric32

147

cooperativeprogram,forrailroadcooperativesseekingtopreserve1

railserviceinruralareas;2

h. Carefulconsiderationofproposalstocreateutilitycorridorsor3

federalizetherailroadbeds,therebyimprovingrailroadefficiency4

andpromotingmorecompetitionamongconventionaland5

alternativerailroads;6

i. “Unittrain”loadingthatprovidesforpoolingofgrainshipmentsand7

isnotlimitedtoone-stopterminalloading,inadditiontostricter8

regulationsandbetterenforcementoflawstorequirecompaniesto9

provideproportionatelyequalservicetoelevatorsintheallocationof10

railcars;11

j. Rateregulationsthatincorporateprovisionstoprotectsmaller12

shippersfromratediscrimination;13

k. Continuedregulationoffreightratesandcommoditiesshippedby14

rail;15

l. Statutoryprovisionstogovernmergersorreorganizationsofrailroad16

linesfacingfinancialdifficultytoassurethatsuchmergersdonot17

destroycompetitionornecessaryservice;18

m. Allowingadjacentlandownersorexistingbusinessesleasingthe19

propertytobegivenfirstoptiontopurchaseabandonedrailway20

rights-of-way,includingmineralacres,atfairappraisalvalue;21

n. Legislationtopreventcompaniesorrailroadpropertyownersfrom22

chargingunreasonablepricesforrailroadpropertyandleasesites;23

o. Amoratoriumonallrail-lineabandonments;24

p. Prohibitionofrailroadcompaniesfromformingholdingcompanies25

orsubsidiariesforthepurposeofhidingassetsoriginallyreceived26

fromlandgrants;and27

q. Theexpansionofhigh-speedrail,includinginruralareas.28

Weopposeanymergerbetweenmajorrailroadcarriers.29

ii. CertificatesofTransportation(COT)30

TheCertificateofTransportation(COT)systemisdiscriminatory,anti-31

competitive,andviolatestheintentofCongressinitsadoptionoftheStaggers32

148

Act.NFUurgestheSTBtoreviewtheuseofCOTsandtheimpactonproducers1

andtheirlocalelevators.2

iii. Safety3

Wesupport:4

a. Continuedimprovementstothesafetymechanismsonrailcarsand5

railwaystobetterprotectourruralcitizens,toinclude:6

1. Requiringreflectivestripestobeplacedandmaintainedonall7

railroadcars;8

2. Enforcinglowerspeedlimitsgoingthroughcommunities;and9

3. Requiringrailroadstoerectwarninglightandarmsignalson10

allcrossingsnearschools;11

b. TheSurfaceTransportationBoardenactingapolicythatwillforce12

railroadstoupgradetherailwayinfrastructureasafirststepin13

protectingthepublicandensuringthesafetransportofcommodities;14

and15

c. Therailauthoritybeingheldliableforexpensesincurredbylocalfire16

andemergencyresponsedepartmentsforupdatingequipmentand17

trainingtodealwithpotentialrailaccidents.18

C. PORTDEVELOPMENT,SHIPPINGPOLICY19

Wesupport:20

1. Adequatefundingtoimproveourinlandwaterwaytransportationsystem,21

includingfundingtorepairoursystemoflocks.Weareparticularly22

concernedwithneededlockrenovationontheMississippiRiver;23

2. Thelowestpossibleuserfeefortheuseoflocksoninlandrivers;24

3. KeepingtheGreatLakesshippingchannels,includingtheSt.Lawrence25

SeawayandthetwinportsofDuluthandSuperior,openwhilesuchlanesare26

navigable,tomaximizethisnation’sexportcapabilities;27

4. Restrictingthemanagementofournation’sportsystemtoU.S.-ownedand–28

basedcompanies;29

5. CongressrepealingtheJonesAct;and30

6. EffortstodeepenandmaintainportsintheU.S.,especiallythosethatload31

agriculturalcommodities.32

149

Weoppose:1

1. Legislationthatrequiresagriculturalintereststopayadisproportionatefee2

foroperation,maintenanceandconstructionofdeep-draftchannelsand3

oceanandGreatLakesports;and4

2. AnyexcessiveincreasesintheinlandWaterwaysFuelTax.5

D. AIRTRANSPORTATION6

Wesupport:7

1. Maintainingfeederandcommuterairlineservicestofarm/rural8

communitiestoensuremailandpassengerservice;9

2. Thecontinuationoffederalregulationofallairlineservicestoprotectpublic10

safety;11

3. Regulationsthatwouldassurethatruralareasarenotpenalizedinairline12

ratestructures;and13

4. FullfundingoftheEssentialAirService(EAS).14

Weopposeairlinefeesimposedatairports,afterticketpurchase,suchasa15

surchargeforcheckedluggage.16

E. RURALUTILITIES17

Wesupport:18

1. TheRUSloans,loanguarantees,andeconomicdevelopmentprogramsfor19

ruralelectricandruraltelephonecooperatives;and20

2. Policiesthatallowfordistributedgenerationthatwouldenablefamily21

farmerstoprovideelectricityforthemselvesandtheircommunities.22

WeopposeterminationorprivatizationofRUS.23

1. TELEPHONESERVICES24

Wesupport:25

i. TheUniversalServiceFund;26

ii. Continuedaccess,maintenanceandimprovementtolandline(including27

metalwire)telephoneservice;28

iii. Reducedregulatoryburdensforruraltelephoneproviders;and29

iv. Enhanced911telephoneservicesinruralareas.30

2. ELECTRICSERVICES31

150

Wesupportthecontinuationofalow-interest-loanpoolprogramforrural1

electriccooperatives.2

Weopposeencroachmentonruralelectriccooperativeserviceareasbyprivate3

andmunicipalpowercompanies.4

3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS5

Accesstoinformation,educationandentertainmentprogramminginan6

informationageisincreasinglyimportanttothequalityoflifeinruralcommunities.7

Wesupport:8

i. Abanoncross-ownershipofmediathatresultsinhighertelephoneand9

subscriptiontelevisionrates;10

ii. Thecontinuationofthee-rateprogram;11

iii. Thedevelopmentofcooperativecabletelevisionsystemstoserveboth12

ruralandurbansectors;13

iv. AdoptionofFCCpoliciesthatencouragesoundtechnicalstandardsfor14

ruralradioandtelevisionservice;15

v. Legislationtoallowcitizenstoparticipateinboardsandcommitteesvia16

theuseoftelecommunications;17

vi. Greatertransparencyinbillingfortelecommunicationsservices;and18

vii. CongressreinstatingtheFairnessDoctrine.19

Weoppose:20

i. Federal,stateorlocalgovernmentsimposingtaxesandfeesonservices21

suchassubscriptiontelevisionorinternet;and22

ii. Proposalsthatwouldweakenoreliminateradioandtelevisionfarm23

news,publicservicebroadcasttimeandotherservices.24

4. RURALACCESSTOTECHNOLOGYANDINFORMATION25

Wesupport:26

i. Effortstoensurecompetitivelypriced,high-speedbroadbandand27

wirelessaccesstotheinternetforruralAmerica;28

ii. Collaborativeeffortsthatleverageinternet-basedtechnologyandusethe29

internettoimprovecommunications,;30

iii. Netneutrality;and31

151

iv. Thefurtheradvancementofthecelltowerandfiberopticnetworksto1

coverallruralcommunitiestosupport:2

a. Newtechnologyinagriculture,3

b. Faster,moreimprovedemergencyservices,and4

c. Accesstoemergingtechnologies.5

F. SMALLBUSINESSDEVELOPMENT6

1. INDUSTRIALDEVELOPMENTBONDS7

Wesupport:8

i. Eachstatebeingallowedaminimumbaseallocationinadditiontothe9

per-capitaallocationallowedindustrialdevelopmentbonds,inorderto10

provideequityamongstates;11

ii. Judicioususeofthesebondstoensurepriorityisgiventolong-term,12

locallybasedeconomicdevelopmentprojectswithinthecommunity;and13

iii. Statesusingindustrialdevelopmentbondstofinancebeginningor14

sociallydisadvantagedfarmerprograms.15

2. SMALLBUSINESSPOLICY16

Wesupport:17

i. Federalpolicythatprotectssmallbusinessesfrompredatory18

encroachmentbymonopolisticbigbusiness;19

ii. Smallbusinessesbeinggivenafairopportunitytobidongovernment20

contracts;21

iii. ContinuationoftheSmallBusinessAdministration(SBA);22

iv. Small-businessloanfundsbeingavailablethroughtheSBAtomeet23

credit-worthyapplications;and24

v. Regulationsandpaperworktobeadministeredinwaysthatdonotplace25

anundueburdenonsmallbusinesses.26

3. ENTERPRISEFACILITATION27

Weencouragefamilyfarmers,ranchersandsmallboatfishersandtheirlocal28

communitiestoutilizevariousUSDARuralDevelopmenttechnicalassistanceand29

fundingprogramsthroughtheNationalSustainableAgricultureInformationService,30

RuralCooperativeDevelopmentGrants(RCDG),Value-AddedProducerGrants31

152

(VAPG),theAgriculturalMarketingResourceCenter(AgMRC),Agricultural1

InnovationCenters(AIC),andregionalfoodhubs,aswellasothers.2

153

ARTICLEXI–QUALITYOFLIFEINRURALAMERICA1

NFUurgestheadoptionofnationalpoliciesthataddressthedifficultiesandgreater2

costsofprovidingnecessaryhealth,education,consumerprotection,publicand3

emergencyservicesforourchildren,sick,needy,handicappedandelderly.4

A. HEALTHCARE5

NFUstronglyaffirmstherightofallAmericanstohaveaccesstoaffordable,quality6

healthcare,withemphasisondiseasepreventionandaccesstonutritionalfood.7

1. HEALTHCARECOVERAGE,ACCESSANDCARE8

Wesupport:9

i. Acontinuedefforttowardanimprovednationalcomprehensivehealth10

plan,whichincludesapublicoptionthatallowscitizenstochoosetheir11

owndoctors,thatprovidesuniversal,affordableandaccessiblecoverage12

andeldercareforallAmericans;13

ii. Adoptionofasingle-payernationalhealthinsuranceprogramwithno14

deductibleandminimalco-paysthatprovidescomprehensivehealthcare15

services.Governmentfundstooperatesuchasystem,similarto16

Medicare,shouldberaisedinamannerbasedonabilitytopay;17

iii. Maintainingthemandatedcoverageforpreventivecareandretentionof18

choiceofdoctors;19

iv. Includinghealthpromotionandeducationinlong-termpolicyand20

planning;21

v. Consumereducationwithspecialemphasisonchildhoodeducationon:22

a. Thebenefitsofnutritionallysoundfoods;23

b. Healthdangersofharmfulproducts;and24

c. Educationaboutthebenefitsandrisksofimmunization;25

vi. Increasedfundingformentalhealthandaddictiontreatmentservices;26

vii. Researchandeducation,includingincreasedpublicly-fundedresearch,to27

preventthespreadof,andtofindacurefor,life-threateningdiseases;28

viii. Thedevelopment,researchanduseoflicensedalternativemedicinesand29

practices.Suchremediesshouldbeeligibleforreimbursement;30

ix. Expeditedaccesstopromisingtreatmentsforterminalillnesses,31

includingthoseintrialphase;32

154

x. Increasedaccessto,anduseof,palliativecareforpatientsinend-of-life1

situations;2

xi. Third-partyreimbursementforadvancedhealthcareprofessionalsto3

allownurses,residentcaregivers,nursepractitioners,andphysician’s4

assistantstosetupclinicsandtoallowimprovedaccesstohomehealth5

care,healthpromotion,andhealthmaintenanceinruralAmerica;6

xii. Long-termcare,end-of-lifecare,andexpandedin-homecarecoverage7

beingincludedinanyuniversalcoveragereform.Inaddition,asset8

spend-downlimitsshouldbeincreased;9

xiii. ContinuationoftheNationalHealthServiceCorps.Fundsshouldalsobe10

allocatedtocommunitiestoprovidetrainingandequipmentfor11

emergencyhealthcare;12

xiv. Self-employedfarmershavingthesameaccesstodependentcare13

servicesasthoseinotherindustries;14

xv. Assistancetofamiliesstrugglingtoprovidecaretotheirdependents,15

includingchildren,handicappedpersonsandtheelderly;16

xvi. Adoptionofacomprehensiveprogramoffederalaidfordependedcare,17

includingtheuseoftaxcredits;18

xvii. Congressopposingtortreformthatprecludesconsumers’abilityto19

receiveadequatecompensationforwrongfulactions;20

xviii. ImplementationandfullfundingoftheFarmandRanchStress21

Assistance;22

xix. Theeliminationofanypaymentorbenefitcapsincludingbutnot23

exclusivetopreexistingconditions;24

xx. Decisionsregardingpatientcareresidingwiththephysicianandpatient,25

notwiththeinsurancecompanyorgovernment;26

xxi. ImplementationofHealthInformationTechnology(HIT)systemsinrural27

areasandfundingforRuralHealthClinics(RHCs)andCommunity-28

FundedSafetyNetClinic(CSNCs);29

xxii. Auniformhealthinsuranceexchangesystem;30

xxiii. StatesexpandingMedicaidcoveragetoadditionallow-incomecitizens;31

155

xxiv. ThereauthorizationandexpansionoftheStateChildren’sHealth1

InsuranceProgram(SCHIP);and2

xxv. Theestablishmentofcooperative-basedhealthinsurancecompanies.3

2. PRESCRIPTIONDRUGS4

Wesupport:5

i. Immediatelyaddressingdiscriminatorypricingpolicies,theabilityof6

providerstonegotiatethepriceofdrugs,accesstogenericdrugsandan7

adequateprescriptiondrugbenefitforallAmericans;8

ii. Providingruralaccesstoprescriptiondrugsandpharmacyservices.9

Retailpharmaciesmusthaveequalaccesstopharmaceutical10

manufacturers’discounts,andstateandfederallegislativeeffortsare11

encouragedtoensureequalaccess;12

iii. Theclearlabelingofallprescriptiondrugs’purposes;13

iv. Thegeneralre-importationofprescriptiondrugsfromothercountries14

andrepealingthefederallawthatprohibitsit;and15

v. Consumeraccesstosafeandprovengenericprescriptiondrugsandan16

endtoextendeddelaysbydrugcompaniesortheFDA.17

3. MEDICAREANDMEDICAID18

Wesupport:19

i. Theabilitytonegotiatethepriceofdrugsforaprescriptiondrug20

program;21

ii. ExpeditingMedicarereimbursementtohealthcareproviders.Allhealth22

careprovidersshouldbereimbursedataratenolowerthanthe23

provider’sactualcostasdeterminedbyindependentaudit;24

iii. ExtensionoftheMedicareprogramtoincludethetreatmentoflong-term25

illnessasacoveredbenefit;26

iv. ReducingtheMedicareentryageto55;27

v. Eliminationofthe“donuthole”(coveragegap)inMedicare;28

vi. ThereformofMedicareandMedicaidtoenableandencouragedoctors29

anddentiststoserveallMedicareandMedicaidpatients,especiallyin30

ruralareas;and31

156

vii. Paymentreformeffortsandcontinuedcost-basedreimbursementfor1

ruralhospitalsandCriticalAccessHospitals(CAH)forMedicareservices.2

Weoppose:3

i. AnycutstoMedicareandMedicaid;4

ii. PrivatizingMedicare;5

iii. Proposalstoblock-grantMedicaidandstripitsstatusasanentitlement;6

and7

iv. Increasedusebyhospitalsofkeepingpeopleovernightforobservation8

carestatusinsteadofadmittingpatientstohospitals.9

4. VETERANS’RIGHTS10

Wesupport:11

i. IncreasesintheVA’smedicalcareoperatingbudget;12

ii. Redoublingeffortstoensureallveteransreceivetimelyandadequate13

care;14

iii. Adequatefundingtoensurethepreservationofveterans’rightsand15

benefits;16

iv. RejectinganyproposalthatwouldcloseVAhospitalstobalancethe17

federalbudget;18

v. Continuationoffederalandstatefundingforexistingruralhospitalsand19

nursinghomestoprovideforthehealthneedsofveterans;20

vi. Increasingemphasisofprogramstoprovideassistancetoindividuals21

sufferingfrompost-traumaticstressdisorder(PTSD)andallmental22

healthissues;and23

vii. Agriculturalrehabilitationandvocationaltrainingprogramsformilitary24

veterans,suchastheFarmer-VeteranCoalition.25

B. EDUCATION26

Wesupport:27

1. MaintainingtheU.S.DepartmentofEducationandestablishinganassistant28

secretaryforruraleducation;29

2. ContinuationandfullfundingofthePerkinsActandthatcareertechnical30

educationremainsundertheumbrellaoftheDepartmentofEducationand31

continuestobetreatedasaneducationalentity;32

157

3. Astrongnationaleducationalsetofstandardsdesignedtomaintain1

consistencywhenstudentstransferschools;2

4. CongresstofullyfundthefederalmandatedIndividualswithDisabilities3

EducationActtoassistalldistricts(especiallyruraldistricts)inmeetingthe4

needsofallstudents;5

5. Ensuringthatallyouthandyoungadultsareawareoftherelevanceof6

agriculture,cooperativesandfamilyfarmingintheirsocietythrough7

adequatefundingforcourseworkand/orotheractivitiesrequiredby8

educationinstitutions;9

6. VoluntaryBible-readingandprayerinourpublicschools;10

7. Statesfindingmoreequitablewaysotherthanpropertytaxtofundpublic11

education;12

8. Continuedinvolvementwith,andactivesupportof,OrganizationsConcerned13

withRuralEducation(OCRE);14

9. Expansionofgrantsandlower“low-interest”studentloanstoassiststudents15

ofallageswiththecostofhighereducation;16

10. Theinterestratelevelonstudentloansshouldbeequalto,orlessthanthe17

10-yearTreasuryratethatisenjoyedbythelargebankinginstitutions;18

11. Revisingfinancialaidformstoensureamoreequitablesystemforboth19

urbanandruralfarmstudents;20

12. Establishmentofafederalstudentloanforgivenessprogramforstudents21

whoattendcollegeandsubsequentlyreturntoruralcommunities,basedon22

yearsofservicetothosecommunities;23

13. Theinclusionofagriculturalproducersinafederaland/orstatestudentloan24

forgivenessprogrambasedonyearsofservicetoruralcommunities;25

14. Ruralschoolsbeingassuredtheirfairshareofbothfederalandstate26

resourcesandsupport;27

15. Ensuringalladultshavetheopportunitytoparticipatethroughoutlifein28

meaningfuleducationalandvocationaltrainingprograms;29

16. ThefederalQualifiedZoneAcademyBonds(QZAB)program;30

158

17. FarmersUnionmembersmonitoringtheimplementationoftheVocational1

EducationActintheirlocalschoolsandstatevocationaltechnicalprograms2

tobesurethattheinterestsofagriculturearemet;3

18. Involvementinlocal,stateandnational4-H,FFA,andothervocational4

educationorganizations;5

19. Unemployedworkershavingtheopportunityforretrainingandupgrading6

theirskillsaspartoftheirunemploymentbenefits;7

20. Thecontinuationoffederalorstate-fundedretrainingprogramsfor8

displacedfarmersandranchersandtheirspouses;9

21. Teachinganimalwelfare,asopposedtoanimalrights,throughefforts10

including,butnotlimitedto,the“AgricultureintheClassroom”program;11

22. Adequatefundingtoenablepublicschoolsinruralareastoprovideour12

childrenwithawell-roundededucationthatwillenablethemtobe13

productivecitizens;14

23. Schoolsthathavedevelopedcoursesinentrepreneurshipasameansof15

encouragingyoungpeopletostayintheirruralcommunities;16

24. Encouragingruralschoolstoexplorealleducationalpossibilitiestoenhance17

thecurriculum,suchasdistance-learningcourses,whichserveasan18

alternativetoschoolconsolidationorclosure;19

25. Thedevelopmentandretentionofremotelearningcenterstoprovidea20

broaderrangeofeducationalopportunities;21

26. Consumerandregulatoreducationonthebenefitsofhealthysoilsinrelation22

toourphysicalhealth,particularlyasrelatedtotheFoodSafety23

ModernizationAct(FSMA);24

27. FundingoftheEveryStudentSucceedsAct(ESSA)whileprovidingmore25

flexibilitytostateandlocaleducationagenciesinimplementation;26

28. FundingfortheCareerandTechnicalEducationAct(PerkinsAct)atthe27

secondaryandpost-secondarylevelanddrivers’educationprograms;and28

29. Thedevelopmentandexpansionofschoolgardenprograms.29

Weoppose:30

1. Mandatoryconsolidationofruralschools;31

159

2. Excessivetestingrequirementsincumbenttosuchprogramsas“Common1

Core”;2

3. Unfundedmandatesfromstateorfederalgovernmentsonschools;3

4. Theuseofvouchers;4

5. Requirementofusingcreditratingsindeterminingloaneligibility;5

6. Theprivatizationofstateandfederalstudentloanprograms;and6

7. Cutsinstudentaid.7

1. PUBLICRESEARCH(ALSOSEEARTICLEVIII.J–COMMODITYFUTURES)8

NFUsupportsincreasedfundingforpublicagriculturalresearch.Weare9

concernedofthereductionsinstateandfederalfundsforcropandlivestock10

research.Theresultingincreaseinprivateresearchhasreducedthesharingof11

informationandincreasedcostsofproductioninputs.Land-grantcollegesand12

universitieshelpedcreatethetechnologicalrevolutioninagriculture.Wesupport:13

i. Theseinstitutionsfocusingonresearchtoincreasefamilyfarmnet14

income,specialtycropsandcommodityprices;15

ii. FarmersUnionstateorganizationsscrutinizingrelationshipsbetween16

USDAgrantsandtheland-grantcollegesanduniversitiesandlarge17

agribusinesscorporationstoensurethatresearchbythosecollegesand18

universitiesisinthebestinterestsoffamilyfarmers;19

iii. Fullfinancialdisclosureoffundingsourcesforagriculturalresearch20

projectsbeingmadepublic;21

iv. Thecontinuationandadditionalfundingforallfederalformula22

allocations,suchasHatchActandSmith-LeverActfunds;23

v. Increasedfundingsupportingland-grantcollegesforresearchinto24

alternativeagriculturaltechnologieswhichwouldbenefitsmalland25

specializedfamilyfarmersbyreducinginputcostsandbydevelopinga26

systemofsustainableagriculture;27

vi. Targetedresearchspecificallydesignedtoexploreinnovativeproduction,28

processingandmarketingtopicsthatenhancesmallorfamily-sizedfarm29

operations;30

160

vii. AmendingtheInternalRevenueCodetocreateanewtypeof401(c)(3)1

organization,asanagricultureresearchorganization(ARO),toconduct2

agriculturalresearchandincreasefundingtoadvanceagriculture;3

viii. Publiclyfundedresearch,findingsandby-productsoftheresearch4

remaininginthepublicdomainandbenefitingfamily-sizedfarms;and5

ix. Considerationtoauthorizethedistributionoffederalagriculture6

researchfundstobothland-grantuniversitiesandotherpost-secondary7

agriculturaleducationalinstitutions.8

2. NATIONALINSTITUTEOFFOODANDAGRICULTURE9

TheNationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture(NIFA)wasestablishedwiththe10

mandatetohelpthepubliclearnaboutandapplytoeverydayactivities,thelatest11

technologyandmanagementknowledge.Thisvaluableruralinformationdelivery12

system’srolemustbereassessedandstrengthenedtomeetthedemandsofa13

rapidlychanging,highlysophisticatedtechnologydeliverysystemnowavailablein14

thiscountry.15

Wesupport:16

i. Land-grantuniversitiesre-envisioningagriculturalextensiontrainingso17

thatitrespectsandutilizestheexperienceoffarmersandranchersand18

thesignificantrolethisexperienceplaysinthescienceofagriculture;19

ii. Farmersandranchersbeingpartoftheresearchteam;20

iii. Extensiontrainingrespectingandutilizingtheagriculturalpracticesof21

traditionalnativepeoplesandacknowledgethesignificantrolethese22

practicesplayinsustainableagriculture;23

iv. Agriculturalextensioneducatorsmentoringlow-andmoderate-income24

familiestoimproveagriculturaleconomiesbyaddingvalueto25

agriculturalproducts;and26

v. NofundsutilizedbyNIFAbeingusedtocarryoutpoliticalorlobbying27

activities.28

C. SOCIALSECURITY29

Wesupport:30

1. Activeparticipationindevelopingaplantohelpensurethesolvencyfor31

SocialSecurityforfutureyears;32

161

2. PreservingamajorportionofanybudgetsurplusforSocialSecurity;1

3. SocialSecuritytaxbeingapplicabletoallearningsbyremovaloftheincome2

cap;3

4. SocialSecuritybeingamandatory,universalsystemtoassurebenefitsinthe4

future;5

5. ContinuedstrengtheningandprotectingoftheSocialSecurityprogram;6

6. ContinuationofeffortsmadetocorrectaninequityinSocialSecuritybenefits7

forrecipientsbornduring“notch”years,whichresultsinreduced8

entitlementsforbasicallythesamelevelofcontributions;9

7. Congresschanginglawssothatahusbandandwifewhoareequalbusiness10

partnersinafarmingoperationareabletocollectequallyontheSocial11

Securitytaxthatwaspaidasaresultofthatbusiness;and12

8. Congresschangingtheeligibilityrequirementsforindividualswhohaven’t13

workedoffthefarmlongenoughtoqualifyforbenefits.14

Weoppose:15

1. UsingSocialSecurityfundsforanythingotherthantheirintendeduse;16

2. AfreezeontheSocialSecuritycost-of-livingallowanceforallrecipients;17

3. AnypartofSocialSecuritybeinginvestedinnon-government-insured18

investments;and19

4. Proposalsthatwouldprivatizethesystem.20

D. PEOPLEWITHDISABILITIES21

Wesupport:22

1. Publicandprivateprogramsaimedatprovidingdevelopment,therapyand23

rehabilitationofAmericanswithdevelopmental,physicalandmental24

challenges;and25

2. Equalandgainfulemploymentforindividualswithdisabilitiesandthe26

developmentofspecialsupportsforfarmerswhoaredisabledandwhowant27

tocontinuetofarm.28

E. EMPLOYMENT:ANATIONALPRIORITY29

Werecognizetheneedtoprepareaskilledworkforcethatwillberequiredfora30

healthy,competitive,full-employmenteconomy.31

Wesupport:32

162

1. Expandingpresentpolicytofurthertrainingandemploymentopportunities1

forallagesofmenandwomenwhowanttowork;2

2. Assistancebeingtargetedtoretrainingdislocatedworkersanddisplaced3

farmers;4

3. Apreferencefortrainingwithagricultureoragriculturalrelatedindustries;5

4. Directingspecialemphasistostimulatingeconomicgrowthandincreasing6

researchanddevelopmentoftechnologythatwillgenerateproductivejobs7

withfairwagesandbenefits;and8

5. TheeliminationoftheMultiemployerPensionReformActof2014(MPRA).9

F. IMMIGRATIONPOLICY10

Webelievethegrowingconsequencesofabrokenimmigrationsystemmustbe11

addressedinabipartisaneffortthatconsidersthefollowingprinciples:12

1. Ourimmigrationsystemmustbeflexibleenoughtoaddresstheneedsof13

businesseswhileprotectingtheinterestsofworkers;14

2. Immigrationisafederalissuethatshouldbeaddressedatthefederallevel.15

WethereforeopposeprogramssuchasE-Verifyatthestatelevelonly;16

3. WesupportadoptionofamandatoryE-Verifyprogramonlyinconjunction17

withacoherentandviablyeffectiveagriculturalworkerprogram.TheE-18

Verifysystemmustallowcommunicationamongfederalagenciesfor19

determiningstatusinordertoprotecttheintegrityoftheworkerandofthe20

employer;21

4. WesupportimprovementstotheH-2Aprogramtohelptheagricultural22

communitybyallowingamoreflexibleandreliablevisaprogram;An23

effectivevisasystemresponsivetogeographicproximityandeconomicand24

culturalfactors,whichacknowledgethebeneficialcontributionsimmigrants25

makeasworkers,taxpayersandconsumers;26

5. Asstrongfamiliesarecriticaltodevelopingsuccessfulindividualsand27

cohesivecommunities,ourimmigrationpoliciesshouldprioritizekeeping28

familiestogethertomostenablesupportivehomeenvironmentsforall29

children;30

6. Ourimmigrationenforcementstrategyshouldfocusonpublicsafetyand31

considerconsequencestobusinesses,workersandconsumers.Furthermore,32

163

ourbroaderimmigrationreformeffortshouldincludeapathtoreliablyand1

affordablydeterminewhoispermittedtowork,ensuringanadequatelabor2

forceforagrowingeconomy;3

7. Immigrantsarepartofbothourruralandurbancommunities.Wemust4

adapttothisrealityandrecognizethecriticalroleimmigrationhasplayedin5

ournation’shistoryandeconomy;6

8. Immigrationpoliciesmustprovideasensiblepathforthosewhoarehere7

withoutlegalstatus,areofgoodcharacter,paytaxesandarecommittedto8

becomingfullyparticipatingmembersofoursociety.Thelegalizationof9

undocumentedworkersmayoccurafterpayingappropriatefinesand10

incurringpenaltiesforillegalentry;and11

9. EncouraginganypeopleseekingpermanentresidenceintheUnitedStatesto12

applyforcitizenshipwithalltherightsandresponsibilitiesthataccompany13

it.14

Wealsosupport:15

1. TheDREAMAct;16

2. AfasttracktowardU.S.citizenshipforthoseimmigrantsofupstanding17

characterwhoseekcitizenshipandservewithhonorinabranchoftheU.S.18

militaryservice;and19

3. Apathwaytocitizenshiporlegalresidencyforundocumentedagricultural20

workersthatdoesnotrestricttheiremploymenttoanyspecificfarmor21

groupoffarms.22

Weopposetheindenturedservitudeofacaptiveworkforce.23

WeopposethemassdeportationofanypeoplesfromtheUnitedStates.24

G. EXPANDINGOPPORTUNITIESFORSENIORCITIZENS25

InkeepingwiththetraditionalAmericanconceptofindividualdignityinour26

democraticsociety,allolderAmericansareentitledtoenjoyanactiveinvolvementin27

oursociety.ThenumberofolderAmericanscontinuestoincrease,andeffortsmustbe28

expandedtocontinuetomakeuseoftheirexperience,skillsandenergytofilltheneeds29

ofoursocietythroughcitizeninvolvement,employmentandvolunteeractivities.30

Wesupport:31

164

1. TheenergiesandtalentsofretiredFarmersUnionmembersandemployees1

beingusedtostrengthenandexpandourorganization;2

2. TheOlderAmericansAct(OAA);3

3. ExperienceWorks,formerlyGreenThumb,anInternalRevenueCodesection4

501(c)(3)nonprofitorganizationconceivedbyNFUbecauseolderAmericans5

whohadtheabilityanddesiretoworkwerenotgiventheopportunitytodo6

so;7

4. TheSeniorCommunityServiceEmploymentProgram(SCSEP),providingfull8

fundingatauthorizedlevelsandopposingblock-granting;and9

5. Thedevelopmentofpoliciestoallowourseniorstoageinplace.10

H. FOODANDNUTRITIONPROGRAMS11

Itisimperativethatournationalnutritionpolicyaddressesboththequantityand12

qualityoffoodavailabletoneedyAmericans.Nutritionprogramsshouldplacean13

emphasisonfreshandlocalfoodstoensurethatAmericansofallincomelevelshave14

accesstohealthy,nutritiousfoods.15

1. ADMINISTRATIONOFFOODANDNUTRITIONPROGRAMS16

Wesupport:17

i. Reauthorizationandfullfundingoffederalnutritionprogramsunder18

USDA;19

ii. Expansionofnutritionprogramstoincludefarm-to-school,WICand20

SeniorFarmersMarketNutritionPrograms,programsthatallowSNAP21

andotherfederalnutritionprogrambeneficiariestodoubletheirbenefits22

atfarmersmarkets,andothers;23

iii. Congresscontinuingfederalresponsibilityfornutritionprograms;24

iv. MaintainingfederalstandardsaswellastheUSDA’sauthorityfor25

commoditydonationstonutritionprograms;26

v. Requiringcomprehensiveandunbiasedresearchprecedeanyofficial27

dietaryadviceregardingtherelationshipbetweendietandhealth;28

vi. TheUnitedStatesDietaryGuidelinestoutilizetheabundantand29

thoroughevidencesuggestingthatAmericansshouldconsumea30

balanceddietrichinnutrientswhichincludesleanmeatsanddairy31

products;32

165

vii. AllfederallyfundednutritionprogramsfollowingtheUSDietary1

Guidelines;2

viii. Periodicreviewsoffederallyfundednutritionprogramstoassesstheir3

effectiveness;and4

ix. Expansionofnutritionfeedingprogramsfortheelderly,includingthe5

distributionofexcesscommoditieswhenavailable.6

Weoppose:7

i. Theprivatizationoftheadministrationoffederally-fundednutrition8

programs;9

ii. Theshiftingofnutritionprogramstostateblockgrants;and10

iii. SeparatingnutritiontitleprogramsfromtheFarmBill.11

2. FOODASSISTANCEPROGRAMS12

Wesupport:13

i. TheFoodStampActof1964;14

ii. TheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP);15

iii. Outreacheffortstoextendservicestotheincreasingnumberofhungry16

peoplewhoshouldbeserved,particularlyinruralareaswhereaccessis17

aproblem;18

iv. ExclusionoffarmloansasincomeindeterminingeligibilityforSNAP;19

v. ContinueddevelopmentoftheElectronicBenefitsTransfer(EBT)20

Program;21

vi. ProhibitingeffortstosubstitutecashpaymentforSNAP;22

vii. ProgramswhichallowSNAPuserstopurchasefooddirectlyfrom23

farmersmarkets,communitysupportedagriculture(CSAs)andlocal24

producers;25

viii. CommoditydistributionprogramssuchasTheEmergencyFood26

AssistanceProgram(TEFAP),theCommoditySupplementalFood27

Program(CSFP)andchildfeedingprograms;28

ix. USDAmakinghealthysurplusfoodsreadilyavailabletofoodbanksand29

emergencykitchens,bearingthecostoftransportationandstorage;and30

x. Federallawthatrequirescommoditiesdistributedfornutrition31

programsbedomesticallyproduced.32

166

3. CHILDNUTRITIONPROGRAMS1

Wesupport:2

i. Fullfundingandexpansionofthechildnutritionprogramssuchasthe3

SchoolLunchProgram,SchoolBreakfastProgram,ChildandAdultCare4

FoodProgram(CACFP),SummerFoodServiceProgram,thefarm-to-5

schoolprogram,WIC,andotherUSDAnutritionassistanceprograms;6

ii. CongresstoredirectUSDAtosupportaschoolmealprogramatthe7

federallevelthatprovidesflexibilityandreducesthefederalregulations8

whileencouragingahealthydiet,theuseoflocalfoodsandlocalfood9

preparation;10

iii. FreelunchesundertheSchoolLunchProgramforallelementary11

students;12

iv. TheSpecialMilkProgramforchildren;13

v. Congresstostrengthenandexpandfarm-to-schoolprogramsby14

supportinganincreaseofannualmandatoryfundingfortheUSDAFarm15

toSchoolGrantProgram.WesupportexpansionoftheUSDAFarmto16

SchoolGrantProgramtoincludepreschools,summerfoodservice17

programsites,andbeforeandafterschoolprograms.Weencouragefarm18

toschoolpartnershiptoincreaseconsumptionofnutritiousand/or19

traditionalfoodswhilealsosupportingfarmersandranchers;20

vi. Increasedemphasisontheuseoflocallyproducedfoodsinall21

governmentnutritionprograms;and22

vii. Theremovalofsodasalesinpublicschoolsduringlunchhours.23

I. NUTRITIONMONITORING(ALSOSEEARTICLEI.D–LABELINGOFCOMMODITIESAND24

COMMODITYPRODUCTS)25

TheNationalNutritionMonitoringandRelatedResearchActcreatesanational26

systemformonitoringthenutritionalstatusoftheU.S.populationand,forthisreason,27

isofgreatimportancetothoseconcernedwithhunger,malnutritionandthebroad28

planningforadequatefoodandfarmpolicy.Weurgecontinuedefforttoestablishsuch29

mandatedinformationcollectionasabasisforsoundnationalpolicy.30

167

J. FOODSAFETY(ALSOSEEARTICLEIII.D–HEALTHANDINSPECTIONSTANDARDSFORFOOD1

ANDFIBERIMPORTSANDARTICLEI.D–LABELINGOFCOMMODITIESANDCOMMODITY2

PRODUCTS)3

1. REGULATORYAUTHORITY4

CurrentU.S.lawsarenotsufficienttoaddressthecomplexitiesofourmodern5

foodsupply.Assuch,Congressshoulddevelopanewbodytoregulatefoodsafety6

thatwilloverseetheU.S.foodsystemandisadequatelyfundedtocarryoutits7

mandate.Therefore,wesupport:8

i. ThecreationofasinglefoodsafetyagencywithinUSDAtoregulatethe9

U.S.foodsupplyasawhole,includingimportedanddomesticfood;10

ii. CongressprovidingsufficientfundingforsafetyregulationoftheU.S.11

foodsupply;and12

iii. Theauthorityoftheregulatoryagencytorequirearecallintheeventof13

anoutbreakofunsafefood.14

2. FOODSAFETYSTANDARDS15

Itisimperativethatwemaintainthehighqualityofourfoodsupply.Thismeans16

ensuringhighstandardsforproduction,processingandtransportation.17

Wesupport:18

i. VigorousactionbyU.S.regulatoryagenciestopreventtheintroductionof19

bovinespongiformencephalopathy,tuberculosis,footandmouth,and20

othercommunicablediseasesintothefoodsystem;21

ii. Amoratoriumonmechanicalde-boninguntiltheprocesscanbe22

improvedtoensurethatnoundesiredportionsofthecarcassarepresent23

inthefinalproduct;24

iii. Oppositiontothetransportationoffoodincontainersthathavecarried25

incompatiblesubstances;26

iv. Protectingournation’sfoodsupplyandtherigorousinspectionofall27

importedfood,fiber,milkproteinconcentrate(MPC),animalproducts28

andby-productstoensuretheymeetournation’ssanitaryandphyto-29

sanitarystandardsincludingsafepesticidelevels.USDAinspection30

stamps/sealsshouldbeplacedonlyontheindividualitemsinspected;31

168

v. ThedevelopmentoffairlyadministeredGoodAgriculturalPractices1

(GAPs)forfield-grownvegetablecropswhichsupportthebiodiversityof2

farmingoperationsandwhichdonotdiscriminateagainstsmaller3

operations.TheseGAPsshouldbeadministeredbytheUSDA,in4

cooperationwithstatedepartmentsofagriculture.Further,itshouldbe5

recognizedthatthemosteffectivemethodofpreventingfoodborne6

illnessesisforrigorousmeasuresinstitutedatthetimethatfield-grown7

cropsenterprocessing,packagingandsubsequenttransportationand8

storage;9

vi. Permittingstatestoimplementfoodsafetyregulationsmorestringent10

thancomparablefederalregulationswherestatesdeemconsumerhealth11

andsafetytobeatriskorwhenindividualagriculturalproducersstrive12

tosetahigherbarforthesafetyoffoodproductsdestinedforspecialty13

orexportmarkets;14

vii. Nationalfoodsafetypoliciesthatcanandshouldprotectconsumers15

withoutlimitingfarmers,ranchersorsmallfoodprocessorswhosellinto16

localandregionalmarkets.Regulationsshouldbesize-andrisk-17

appropriate;18

viii. FDAensuringFoodSafetyModernizationActrulesarescience-based,19

havesize-appropriateregulatoryflexibility,anddonotconflictwiththe20

NationalOrganicProgram;21

ix. AcontinuedevaluationoftheregulationsfortheFoodSafety22

ModernizationAct(FSMA)torationallyaddressthepracticeoforganic,23

naturalanddiversifiedfarmoperationsvitaltothelocalfoodmovement,24

toscalerequirementsandfeeswithanunderstandingofthedifferences25

betweencorporateandfamilyagriculture,andremovefromthe26

regulationstheneedlesselementsthatservethepurposesofcorporate27

agricultureattheexpenseoffamilyfarms,sovereignnations,growersof28

localfoods,andconsumers;andrequestthatCongressprovide29

appropriatefundingtosupporttheimplementationofFSMA;30

169

x. Allowinginterstateshipmentofstate-inspectedmeatthatcomplieswith1

federalstandardsandprovidingassistancetoprocessorswhowishto2

participateinsuchaprogram;3

xi. Permittingcross-utilizationofmeatinspectorsandmeatgradersinall4

federallyandstate-inspectedmeatprocessingplantswhichmeetfederal5

inspectionstandards;and6

xii. Whentrackingfoodborneillnesses,theutilizationoftheepidemiological7

modelaspioneeredbytheUniversityofMinnesota.8

3. INSPECTIONOFPERISHABLECOMMODITIES9

NFUrecognizestheneedforintegrityandaccountabilityinthefederal10

inspectionservices.Federalagenciesmustmaintainfoodinspectioncredibility11

withoutaddingtogrowerorpackercostsbyimplementingthefollowing:12

i. Checksandbalancestodiscoverandaddressinfractionsthatinterfere13

withtransactionfairness;14

ii. Stiffpenaltiesonviolators;15

iii. Improvedsupervisionandauditing;and16

iv. Identificationandprosecutionofviolators.17

4. AGRI-TERRORISM18

Withincreasedattentionandfocusonpotentialagri-terrorismattacksonour19

nation’sfoodchain,ruralAmericamustbeeducated,preparedandvigilantofall20

potentialcircumstances.21

Wesupport:22

i. TheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS)andUSDAimmediately23

developingmechanismstocombatagri-terrorismwithfullfunding24

providedbyDHS.Suchmechanismsshouldensurethesafetyofthe25

consumerandagriculturalindustry;26

ii. IncreasedcooperationbetweenUSDA,DHS,DepartmentofHealthand27

HumanServices(HHS)andtheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency28

(FEMA)toestablish,expandandcontinuetodeterminevulnerabilities29

withintheagriculturalandfoodindustries;30

iii. EstablishingaUSDApublicawarenessandeducationcampaignfor31

producers;32

170

iv. Providingfederalguidanceandfundingtostatesandlocalitiestodevelop1

andimplementplantsforagriculturaldiseaseprevention,recoveryand2

response,baseduponalreadyestablishedstateanimalresponse3

activities;and4

v. Arequirementofrepresentativesoffederal,stateandcountyagenciesto5

notifylandownerspriortonon-emergencyaccessoftheirprivate6

property.Representativesandvehiclesusedforaccessshouldalso7

displayappropriateagencysignageandidentification.8

K. FOODWASTE9

Wesupport:10

1. TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency’s(EPA)foodrecoveryhierarchyto11

prioritizeactionstopreventanddivertfoodwaste;12

2. USDA’seffortstocontinuetomeasureanddocumentfoodwaste;13

3. USDA’seffortstostudytechniquesforreducingand/orrecoveringfood14

waste;15

4. Policiesthataredesignedtoeconomicallyreduce,recoverandrecyclefood16

waste;and17

5. Theestablishmentofmunicipalorregionalagriculturalcompostingfacilities18

inordertoprovideafinalopportunitytoutilizefoodwasteaccordingtothe19

EPA’sfoodrecoveryhierarchyeligibleforsupportunderUSDA’s20

conservationprograms.21

L. WORLDFOODDAY22

NFUurgesparticipationinWorldFoodDayasproclaimedbytheUnitedNations’23

FoodandAgricultureOrganization.24

M. HOUSING25

Wesupport:26

1. Increasedsupportforaffordablehousing,withallocationofunitstorural27

areasinproportiontoneed;28

2. Developmentofhousingoptionsforseniorcitizensanddisabledveteransto29

allowthemtocontinuelivinginorneartheircommunitiesandfamilies;30

3. Accelerationofrural,cooperative,farm-laborhousingprograms,self-help,31

andbuilding-siteprograms;and32

171

4. Expansion,continuationandfullfederalcommitmentstoTitleVhousing1

programsadministeredthroughtheRuralHousingService(RHS)ofUSDA.2

N. LIABILITYINSURANCE3

Weurgeastudyintotherapidescalationofofficers’anddirectors’liability4

insurancecosts,especiallyastheyaffectourfarmcooperativesandnonprofit5

businesses.6

Becauseofthehighcoststotaxpayersandthereducedavailabilityofliability7

insurance,weurgethatliabilityagainstalllocalunitsofgovernmentbelimitedtocases8

ofgrossnegligence.9

O. CONSUMERPROTECTION10

Asoneofthelargestconsumersofgoodsandservices,farmproducersarecritically11

affectedbylegislationtoprotectconsumers.12

Wesupport:13

1. Vigorousenforcementofconsumerprotectionlaws,includingTruth-in-14

Labeling,Truth-in-Lending,andTruth-in-Advertising,andopposeexempting15

agriculturallendingfromTruth-in-Lending;16

2. Loaninstitutionscarryinginsurancetoprotecttheborroweragainstfailures17

ofthelendinginstitutions;and18

3. Continuedcooperationwithotherconsumersandorganizationsof19

consumerstoprotectourcommoninterests.20

P. CAMPAIGNFINANCEANDELECTIONS21

1. CAMPAIGNFINANCE22

Wesupportcomprehensivecampaignfinancereform,including:23

i. Publicfinancing;24

ii. Capsontotalspending;25

iii. Capsontotalcontributions;26

iv. Prohibitionofunreportedsoftmoney;27

v. Fullreportingofalltypesofcontributions;28

vi. Eventualeliminationofallpoliticalactioncommittees;29

vii. Eliminationof“527”organizations;30

172

viii. LegislationoverturningtheSupremeCourt’sdecisionintheCitizens1

Unitedv.FederalElectionCommissioncasethatallowscorporationsto2

makeunlimitedcampaigncontributions;and3

ix. Fulldisclosureofcontributorstopoliticalissuesandcandidate4

campaigns5

Untilthetimethisisachieved,wesupportparticipationintheNFUPolitical6

ActionCommittee(NATFARMPAC)asameansforourvoicetobeheard.7

2. ELECTIONSANDELECTEDOFFICIALS8

Wesupport:9

i. Thefederalgovernment’sassistancetolocalgovernmentunitstooffset10

thecostofelectionvotingmachinesthataremandatedbythefederal11

government;12

ii. Statesadoptingstandardstoavoiduncertaintyinvotingandcounting13

ballotsandalsotoprovideapapertrailthatmakesreviewsandrecounts14

possible;15

iii. BarringTVandradionewsreportsofnationalelectionsandexitpolls16

untilallvotingstationsareclosedinthe48contiguousstates;17

iv. Programsthatencourageyouthinvolvementinthevotingprocess;18

v. LegislationthatstatesCongressshallpassnolawthatappliestoacitizen19

oftheUnitedStatesthatitdoesnotapplytoitselfasaninstitutionorto20

individualsenatorsorrepresentatives,orviceversa,exceptasitrelates21

tonationalsecurityissuesand/ortheirpersonalsecurity;22

vi. Voting,votecounting,andpost-electionauditingconductedwith23

electronictabulationequipmentmustensurereportedresultsreflect24

votescast,andnotbereliantonproprietarysoftwareinaccessibleto25

bipartisanelectionoversight;26

vii. Legislationrequiringpoliticalcampaignsandissue-basedinterestgroups27

toadheretothe“donotcall”list.Furthermore,thisprovisionshouldroll28

overintoa“donottext”list;and29

viii. Broadenforcementoftheequal-timerule.30

Weoppose:31

i. Termlimitations;and32

173

ii. Practicesthatlowervoterparticipation.Weurgecandidateswhochoose1

tousenegativecampaigningberequiredtoappearinthecommercials2

theyauthorize.3

Q. U.S.FREEDOMSANDLIBERTIES4

Althoughmuchhasbeenaccomplishedtoensurefreedomandequalopportunityfor5

allcitizens,regardlessofrace,gender,ethnicity,age,sexualorientationorreligion,6

muchremainstobedone.7

Wesupport:8

1. Effortstoprovideequalityofrightsforallineveryaspectoflife.Theserights9

shallnotbedeniedorabridgedbytheUnitedStatesoranystatewithin;10

2. Effortstoremedyhistoricalinequitiesinaccesstofarmprogramsandother11

systemicbarrierstosucceedinginagriculturefacedbysocially12

disadvantagedgroups,especiallyfarmersofcolor;13

3. Vigorouslydefendingtherightofprivacy;14

4. Eliminationoftheabuseoffederalagencypowersandsurveillanceoflaw-15

abidingcitizens;16

5. Therightofreporterstokeeptheirnewssourcesconfidentialasinherentin17

the“citizens’righttoknow”;18

6. ProperdisplayandrespectoftheU.S.flag;19

7. Theusageof“God”ongovernmentbuildings,legaldocumentsandlegal20

tenderandweopposetheremovalofexistingreferences;and21

8. ThemenandwomenoftheU.S.armedservicesfortheircontributions22

aroundtheworld.23

R. POSTALSERVICE24

ItisthespecificintentofCongressthateffectivepostalservicebeassuredto25

residentsofbothurbanandruralcommunities.RuralAmericahastherighttoexpect26

theU.S.PostalServicetoadheretothepolicyofthePostalReorganizationActof1971.27

Wesupport:28

1. RaisingFirstClasspostageratesconsistentlyandconcurrentlywithbulk29

mailingorSecondClassrates;30

2. CongresscorrectingthedifficultsituationithasimposedontheU.S.Postal31

Servicebyrequiringexcessiveadvancefundingofpensionfunds;32

174

3. Re-establishmentofthePostalSavingsBank;and1

4. Appointingablue-ribbonpaneltoinvestigatetheexpansionandcreationof2

newservicesofferedbytheUSPStofacilitateeconomicgrowthand3

developmentinruralandinnercitycommunities.4

Weoppose:5

1. Closingsmallpostofficessolelybecausetheyareoperatingatadeficit;6

2. Changesinpostalpolicythatwillresultinreduced,lessfrequentor7

insufficientmailservicesforruralareasincludingtheeliminationor8

reductioninparcelpostdeliveryforruralareasorincreasedruralpostal9

rates;and10

3. PrivatizationoftheU.S.postalsystem,includingtheestablishmentof11

contractedruralroutes.12

S. RURALEMERGENCYSERVICESANDMANAGEMENTPLANNING13

Agriculturalcommunitiesfacepotentialthreatsandemergencies(i.e.medical,14

biological,naturalandenvironmentaldisasters);therefore,wesupport:15

1. Theimplementationoffederal,stateandlocalemergencymanagement16

plans;17

2. Opportunitiesforcitizenstobecomeinformedaboutandimplement18

preventativesteps;19

3. Thededicatedvolunteerswhoserveasemergencymedicaltechnicians,20

firefighters,andlawenforcementreserves;21

4. Trainingschedulesthatrecognizethetimecommitmentsofthevolunteers;22

5. Currentlawsthatallowpre-hospitalproviderstoperformservicesundera23

doctor’swrittenorverbalprotocol;24

6. Development,preservationandexpansionoftherural911emergency25

responsesystems;and26

7. Prohibitingcutsandtheeliminationofanyusefulprogramsthatbenefitfirst27

respondersinruralareas.28

T. VOTINGDISTRICTS29

1. REDISTRICTING30

Wesupport:31

i. Anonpartisanredistrictingprocesswhenvotingdistrictsareredrawn;32

175

ii. Theestablishmentofanonpartisanredistrictingprocessbystatesthat1

utilizescomputersoftwaretogeneratearedistrictingmapthatdoesnot2

takeintoaccountanypoliticalinformation;3

iii. Theremovalofpoliticsfromanyredistrictingprocess;and4

iv. Votingdistrictsbeingdrawnaccordingtothefollowingcriteria:5

a. Populationequality,6

b. Contiguity,7

c. Unityofcountiesandmunicipalities,and8

d. Compactness9

Weoppose:10

i. Currentlegislatorsdrawingdistrictlines;and11

ii. Gerrymanderingofvotingdistrictstodiluteruralrepresentationorgive12

advantagetoanyparticularparty.13

2. STATELEGISLATIVEDISTRICTS14

Wesupporteffortstoallowfortheapportionmentofoneofthetwolegislative15

bodiesofbicameralstatelegislaturesbaseduponscientificgeographicalareasand16

theotherbodyapportionedbaseduponpopulation.17

TheU.S.Congressfollowsthisapproachtodeterminingthecompositionofthe18

SenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesandthesamemethodshouldbeallowed19

forstatelegislatures.ThismethodwouldduplicatethesystemdefinedintheU.S.20

ConstitutionfortheCongress.21

SincetheSupremeCourtrulinginReynoldsv.Simsin1964,statelegislatures22

havebeenforcedtoapportionbothbodiesinabicamerallegislaturebasedsolely23

uponpopulationunderthe“oneperson,onevote”theory.Thishasledtoadeclinein24

theabilityofcitizensinruralareastobeeffectivelyrepresentedinthestate25

legislatures.Decliningruralpopulationshavesignificantlychangedthecomposition26

ofmoststatelegislaturestothedetrimentofruralcitizens,withtheinterestsof27

citizensinruralareasbeingunderrepresentedinthelegislativeprocess.28

176

ARTICLEXII–FAMILYFARMERSANDTHEIRORGANIZATION1

Realizationofdemocraticaimsandidealsrequirescitizenparticipationinthe2

processesofgovernmentasindividualsandasmembersofpeople-orientedmovements3

andorganizations.4

NFUservesitsmembersbyprovidinganorganizationalstructureinwhichtheycan5

participatemoreeffectivelyintheprocessesofoursociety.Theobjectivesofthe6

FarmersUnionchallengeustomaketheorganizationstrongandeffective.To7

accomplishthesegoals,wemust:8

1. Requirededicatedeffortsofofficers,leadersandgrassrootsmembers;9

2. Encourageparticipationoffamilymembersinthiseffort;10

3. Encouragegenderbalanceonallcommittees,boardsandinalloffices,from11

thelocaltothenationallevel,withinourorganization;12

4. Encouragequalifiedindividuals,regardlessofrace,gender,age,ethnicity,13

sexualorientationorreligiontoserveonallcommittees,boards,andinall14

offices;15

5. Urgememberstobecomemoreactiveintheirownorganizationandlocal16

cooperatives,andinstate,regionalandnationalpubliclife.Active17

participationcanbestbeinspiredwhenattentionispaidto:18

i. Thestudyofissues;19

ii. Decision-makingwithintheorganization;20

iii. Carryingoutgroupeffortstoimplementpolicy;21

iv. Attractingmoremembersintotheorganization;and22

v. PromotingtheuseofthebusinessservicesassociatedwithFarmers23

Union.24

NFUmusttaketheleadoneducatingpolicymakersandthepublicontherealcostof25

corporatewelfare.26

NFUshouldinitiateandworkwithotherorganizationstoeducatethepubliconthe27

importantissuesofourNationalFarmersUnionpolicy.NFUshouldallowforeachstate28

tocontinueteachingthehistoryofNationalFarmersUnion,theirstateFarmersUnion29

andagricultureintheirrespectivestate.30

A. EDUCATIONALACTIVITIES31

1. SEMINARSANDWORKSHOPS32

177

SpecialsessionsshouldbeheldatallFarmersUnionlevelsonissuesthatareof1

specialconcernataparticulartime.Seminarsshouldalsobedirectedtospecial2

groupsinterestedinfarmcooperativesorparticularfarmcommodities.3

Stateorganizationsareencouragedtoincludeamongtheireducational4

activities:campsforyouthandadults,legislativeworkshops,leadershiptraining5

institutes,andotherevents,especiallyontimelyissues.6

2. FARMERSUNIONYOUTHPROGRAMS7

ItsstrongnationalandstateyouthprogramsmaketheFarmersUnionunique8

amongfarmorganizations.Thehighestpriorityandsupportshouldbegivenby9

nationalandstateFarmersUnionleadershiptotheFarmersUnionyouthprograms.10

FarmersUnionyouthmustbepreparedtoassumeeventualleadershipofour11

organizationthroughthefollowingmethods:12

i. GreaterencouragementforFarmersUnionyouthtoattainpositionsof13

responsibilitywithintheorganization;14

ii. Specialemphasisgiventoongoingstudyprograms,camps,All-States15

Campsandseminars;16

iii. Increasedinvolvementofyouthintheorganization’sdecision-making17

process,groupactionandconventions;18

iv. FrequentlyupdatedFarmersUnioneducationalmaterialsandtextsfor19

youthleaders;20

v. Recognitionofstateandnationalyouthleaderswhohavegivenof21

themselvesinbuildingtheorganization’syouthprogramsaswellasthe22

youththatareinvolvedintheorganization’syouthprograms;23

vi. Actionfromstateorganizationstoencourageyoungpeopletoremain24

activeinFarmersUnionastheybecomeadults;and25

vii. FormationofacollegiateFarmersUnionchapterineachmemberstate,26

andholdinganationalcollegiateconferencenolessthanonceannually.27

Wesupportmoreactivitiesforyoungadultstoinformthemon28

involvementsinFarmersUnion.29

3. FARMERSUNIONYOUNGFARMERPROGRAM30

Throughitseducationprogram,thenationalorganization,inconjunctionwith31

stateFarmersUnions,shouldcontinuetodevelopitsbeginningfarmerleadership32

178

programsupontheprinciplesofcooperation,educationandlegislationtoassist1

thoseinterestedinfamilyagricultureandtodevelopcommunity.2

4. FARMERSUNIONEDUCATIONCENTER3

Itisimperativethatwemaintainourownershipofrealestateandwaterrights4

oftheFarmersUnionEducationCenteratBailey,Colorado.Weencourageupgrading5

thefacility.All-StatesCampsatBaileyhavenotonlybeenhighlightsofouryouth6

program,butalsorepresentthetimethatyoungadultshavebecometrue7

participantsinNFU.Weurgethateveryeffortbemadetocontinuethisopportunity8

atthefacilities.9

B. COMMUNICATIONS10

Communicationswithintheorganization,andwiththemediaandpublic,arevitalto11

promoteandsupportFarmersUnionactivitiesandtocallattentiontotheorganization’s12

goals.WeencouragemembersandotherstoutilizeallNFUcommunicationstools.13

C. FARMERSUNIONLEGISLATIVEBUDGETFUND14

TheNFULegislativeBudgetFundisanimportantsourceofsupportfortheoverall15

legislativestaffeffort.IndividualFarmersUnionmembers,localandcountyunits,16

affiliatedcooperativesandotherinterestedgroupsshouldgiveincreasingsupportto17

thiscause.18

D. POLITICALEFFECTIVENESS19

Politicaleducationshouldbecontinuous.20

Discussionsofrelevantpoliticalissuesshouldbecarriedonthroughoutthe21

organizationwithmaximumopportunitiesformemberstoparticipateineffortsto22

influencepoliticaldecisions.23

Thefinancialaspectsofpoliticalactionshouldnotbeignored.Membersshould24

considerbeingmoresupportiveofNATFARMPAC.Additionally,asacollectiveeffort,we25

encouragestateorganizationstohelpcollectadollarpermemberperyear.Candidates26

shouldbegivensupportif,inthejudgmentofmembers,theyregardFarmersUnion27

recommendationsfavorable.28

Membershavearighttoknowthevotingrecordsofmembersofstatelegislatures29

andCongressonissueswhichFarmersUnionhasclearlyindicatedaposition,and,30

therefore,thenationalorganizationandstateFarmersUnionsshouldcontinueto31

supplysuchinformationtotheirmembers.32

179

Inviewofthesteadydeclineinruralpopulationsandofthosedirectlyinvolvedin1

agriculture,ithasbecomeevenmoreimportantforournationalandstateorganizations2

tobuildallianceswithconsumergroups,otheragriculturalorganizations,urban3

legislators,non-farmerruralresidentsandleaderssoastoleverageourpolitical4

effectiveness.5

E. MEMBERSHIPEXPANSION6

Growingourorganizationshouldbeournumberonepriority.Thebesthopefor7

familyagricultureisforproducerstojointogethertobuildtheFarmersUnion.8

Weencouragetheexpansionofourorganizationandaffiliatemembershipsforlike-9

mindedorganizationsandventures.(Additionalinformationcanbefoundat10

www.nfu.org)11

Weencourageindividualstateorganizationstomakemembershipgrowtha12

priority.Eachstateshouldestablishaspecificmembershipplanofaction.Farmers13

Unionmembersshouldbeencouragedtosignupnewmembers.Aspecialemphasis14

shouldbemadetoensurethatallcooperativepatronsandboardmembersare15

membersofFarmersUnion.16

WeareencouragedbytheeffortsofnationalandstateFarmersUnionorganizations17

indevelopmentofnewprogramsandservices.Specialemphasisshouldbemadeto18

ensurethatparticipantsintheseprogramsandservicesaremembersintheirrespective19

stateFarmersUnionorganization.20

F. MEMBERSHIPBUDGETINFORMATION21

ForinformationontheFarmersUnionbudget,membersareencouragedtocontact22

theirstatepresident.Acompletecomparativewrittenfinancialreportshallbegivento23

delegatesatthestartoftheNFUConvention.24

G. FARMERSUNIONRELATEDSERVICES25

FarmersUnionbusinessservices,whetherinmarketingorprovidinginputsand26

services,areimportanttothemembersandtheorganization.Cooperativeswhichwork27

withtheFarmersUnioninitsprogramforagriculturedeservetheloyaltyofthe28

membersintheareasserved.29

ExpansionandimprovementoftheNFUinsurancesandbusinessserviceswillbe30

importanttoagricultureinthetimeahead.Therefore,closeworkingrelationshipsare31

essential.32

180

TheaffiliationofFarmersUnioncooperativesandinsurancestotheFarmers1

EducationalandCooperativeUnionofAmericaisparamounttoanyotheraffiliations2

becausesuchactivitieshavebeenbuiltbyFarmersUnionmembersascomponentsofan3

organizationof,byandforruralfamilies.4

H. COOPERATIONWITHRELIGIOUSORGANIZATIONS5

NFUhasalonghistoryofcooperationwithreligiousorganizationsonmanyissues6

ofcommonconcern.7

Webelieveournationisstrongbecauseitsmanydiversereligiousbodiesbringtheir8

moralviewpointstobearonpublicpolicy.Wepledgeourcontinuingcooperationthis9

commonpurpose.10

I. COOPERATIONWITHOTHERORGANIZATIONS11

NFUshouldcontinuetoseekandexploreopportunitiestoworkwithother12

organizationsatthelocal,stateandnationallevelstoadvancetheeconomicsituationof13

family-scaleoperators.14

Wehaveworkedaggressivelytofurtherbuildalliancesandcoalitionswithdiverse15

interestsincludingcommodity,ruralinterest,consumer,labor,minority,16

environmental,conservation,sustainableagriculture,healthandnutrition,energyand17

othergroupsnottypicallyinvolvedinthenation’sfarmpolicydebate.18

Theinformationsharedinthosecoalitionsandallianceshasshownthatweoften19

havemuchmoreincommonwiththoseprimarilyconcernedwithconsumer,20

environmentalandsocialmattersthanwehavedifferences.21

ItisinthebestinterestoffamilyfarmersthatNFUcontinuesthispracticeofseeking22

alliesamongthosewhomaynotbedirectlyassociatedwithagriculture.23

Wesupportthedevelopmentofbothstateandnationalcontractgrower24

associationstoimprovethewelfareofcontractgrowers.Benefitswillberealizedasa25

resultofthismutuallysupportiverelationship,includingtheestablishmentofafar-26

reachingprecedentlikelytoimpactfuturecontractproductionofpoultry,hogs,cattle27

andothercommodities.28

181

FAMILYFARMINGANDCRISISRELIEF

2017SPECIALORDEROFBUSINESS

2017isexpectedtobeanotheryearofdecliningfarmincomesandworseningeconomic

conditions.TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)hasprojectednetfarmincometo

declineby8.7percentthisyear,markinga50percentdeclinefrom2013.

Additionalindicatorspointtoongoingstresswithinourruralcommunities.These

include:decliningfarmassetvalues,anincreaseinoverallfarmdebt,andanerosionof

farmsectorequity.Lendingfromfinancialinstitutionstoproducershasdeclined40

percentandthedebt-to-assetmeasureisnowaboveitsaverageoverthepreviousten

years.Asdebtincreasesandworkingcapitaldeclines,NationalFarmersUnion(NFU)is

extremelyconcernedaboutthefinancialhealthofournation’sfarmersandranchers.

NFUurgescongressandtheadministrationtotakeactioninsupportoffarmersand

ranchers.Suchsupportshouldincluderobustdiscretionaryandmandatoryfundingfor

theCertifiedAgriculturalMediationProgram.Thisprogramassistsagricultural

producers,theircreditors,andotherpersonstoresolvedisputestherebyreducingthe

participant'scostassociatedwithadministrativeappeals,litigation,andbankruptcy.

CongressmustalsomovetoreauthorizeandfullyfundtheFarmerandRancherStress

AssistanceNetworktoaidinthementalhealthofindividualscopingwithfinancial

stress.Thisprogramsupportscooperativeagreementsbetweenstatecooperative

extensionservicesandnonprofitorganizationstoprovidestressassistanceprogramsto

farmers,ranchers,andotheragriculture-relatedoccupations.

Finally,NFUurgescongresstoconsidertheadditionallayerofburdensthataffect

beginningfarmersduringdifficultfinancialclimates.Theseproducersrepresentthe

futureofagriculture,yetarethemostvulnerabletothecurrenteconomicclimate.NFU

callsoncongressandtheadministrationtoprovideadditionalsupporttoensuretheir

continuedparticipationinagriculture.

182

FAMILYFARMINGANDDAIRY

2017SPECIALORDEROFBUSINESS

U.S.dairyfarmsareanimportantsegmentofournation’seconomy.Asoneofthe

world’slargestdairyproducingnations,theindustryprovidesroughly$140billionin

economicoutput,$29billioninhouseholdearnings,andmorethan900,000jobs.

Theeconomicsofthedairysectoroverthelastthreeyearshaveforcedproducersto

shutterdairyfarmsacrossthecountry.Afterreaching$24ahundredweightin2014,

dairypricesquicklyeroded,fallingto$16ahundredweightin2016.Inadditionto

priceswellbelowthecostofproduction,volatilityhascontinuedtocreatechallenges

forproducers.Cashreceiptsoverthelastthreeyearsdemonstratethisvolatility.In

2009,cashreceiptswere$24.3billion,shootingupto$49.3billionin2014,andquickly

fallingto$34.2billionin2016.

Exportsincreaseanddecreasebybillionsofdollarsfromyeartoyearbasedonfactors

wellbeyondthecontrolofproducers,butwhichnonethelessgreatlyimpactthe

financialhealthoftheirfarms.Despitetheunfavorableeconomicconditionsfacedby

dairyproducers,U.S.milkproductionincreasedfortheseventhconsecutiveyearand

thedairyherdcontinuestoexpand.

Thecurrentdairysafetynet,theDairyMarginProtectionProgram(DMPP),has

providedverylittlerelieftostrugglingdairyproducers.In2016,abouttwothirdsof

milkproduction,or140billionpoundsofproductionhistory,enrolledinDMPP,didnot

signupforanybuy-upcoverage.Itiswidelyrecognizedthattheprogramhasfailed

dairyproducers.Lookingforwardtheremustbeanacknowledgement,especially

duringthebudgetprocess,thatproducerspaidmillionsofdollarsintotheprogramand

didnotreceiveassistanceintroublingeconomicconditions.

Anadequatesafetynetmustremainthegoalforfederaldairypolicy.Congressandthe

administrationmustacttoprotectmoredairyfarmersfromgoingoutofbusiness.Relief

forproducersshouldinclude:

• Abudgetresolutiontoincreasespendingforanadequatedairysafetynet;

• Programsthataccountforactualcostsofproduction;

183

• Anincentives-basedinventorymanagementprogramthatrecognizesthe

inelasticityofthedairysector;

• Adhocdisasterassistance;and

• Tradepoliciesthatdon’tdisadvantageAmericandairyproducers.

184

FAMILYFARMINGANDFARMBILLS

2017SPECIALORDEROFBUSINESS

Theprimaryobjectivesofnationalagriculturalpolicyaretoenablefarmerstoprotect

netfarmincomeintroublingtimes,improvethequalityofrurallife,andincreasethe

numberoffamilyfarmers,sothatfamilyfarmersmaycontinuetoprovideareliable

supplyoffood,fuelandfiberandserveasstewardsofournation’sresources.National

FarmersUnion(NFU)believesthedealthatwasstruckwhenpassingthe2014Farm

Billshouldbehonoredandwillvehementlyopposeanycutsuntilthenextfarmbillis

passed.Overthelastseveralyears,producershavebeensubjectedtodramatic

reductionsincommodityandlivestockprices,raisingtheneedfortimelypassageofa

newfarmbill.Futurefarmbillsshouldcontainprovisionsthatreflectthebestinterest

ofU.Sfarmersandranchers’abilitytomaintainaproductiveandprofitableindustry.

U.S.agriculturetouchesallAmericansandothersaroundtheworld.Itisimportantthat

astrongfarmbillbringstogetheracoalitionthatreflectsthediversityofthepeopleand

interestsimpactedbythefarmbill.

NationalFarmersUnionbelievesanynewfarmbillshouldcontain:

• Provisionsthatenablefamilyfarmerstomarkettheirproductslocallyand

regionally;

• Incentivesforfarmingpracticesthatenhancesoilhealthandproductivity;

• Increasesinreferencepricesforallcommodities;

• Anadequateincomesafetynetthatisbasedonthecostofproductionandnot

solelyaninsuranceprogram;

• Areviseddairyprogramtomeettheneedsoffamilydairies;

• Cottonasacoveredcommodity;

• Loanratesforallcropsshallbenolowerthanthecostofproduction;

• Conservationprogramstoprotecttheenvironment;

• Foodandnutritionprogramstoprotectthelessfortunate;

• Energyprogramstoprovideenergyindependence;

• AstrongcompetitiontitletoallowU.S.producerstobecompetitiveintheglobal

market;

185

• Paymentsmadetofarmerstoreducecropacreagewhenpricesfallbelowthe

costofproduction;

• Apermanentdisasterprogramonapercountybasis;Investmentsinrural

developmentandagriculturalresearch;andCCC-heldreservesshallbe

implementedtocontrolcommodityprices,andthereleasepriceshallbe1.75

timestheloanrate.

186

FAMILYFARMINGANDEXPANDEDHIGHERETHANOLBLENDUTILIZATION

2017SPECIALORDEROFBUSINESS

Foroverfourdecades,NationalFarmersUnionandmanystateFarmersUnion

organizationshaveprovidedtheeducation,embracedthecooperation,andchampioned

thenationalandstatelegislationneededtocreatethemodern‘home-grownfuelsfrom

thefarm’industry.

Themodernbiofuelsindustryhasbroughtbillionsofdollarsofcapitalinvestment,

millionsofdollarsofnewtaxbase,andmanythousandsofnewgoodpayingjobswith

benefitstostrugglingruralcommunities.Incontrasttodecadesofflatexports,the

biofuelsindustryhasprovided‘homegrown’domesticutilizationfordomestically

growncornthathelpsstabilizeandsupportcornpriceswhiledramaticallyreducing

carbonemissionandimprovingairquality.

Ateachsteponthelongroadtobiofuelsdevelopment,familyfarmershavefacedand

overcomethepowerfuloppositionoftheoilindustry.Theiroppositiontotheexpanded

utilizationofhigherblendbiofuelsproductsintheretailmarketplacecontinues.

AtatimewhenruralAmericaisfacingamajorfinancialcrisisinthefarmsectorwith

threeyearsofbelow-the-costs-of-productioncommoditypricesthatfindsmanyfamily

farmersstrugglingtogettheirfarmoperatingloansrenewed,theneedtoreducethe

sizeofpricedepressingsurplusofcornsuppliesthroughmoreaggressiveretailuseof

higherblendethanolisparamount.

Themorehigher-blendethanolfuelproductsAmericanspurchase,themorefarmers,

ruralcommunities,ourenvironment,andourstateandnationaleconomiesbenefit.

Nowisthetimeforournationtofindandpursueboldandinnovativestrategiesto

dramaticallyexpandtheuseof‘home-grownfuelsfromthefarm’.

Ethanoldoesnotcontainorproducegasoline’sbenzeneorbenzene-relatedknown

humancarcinogenscalledpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbonswhichareidenticalto

thosefoundincigarettesmoke.Thereisnosafelevelofexposuretobenzeneor

benzene-relatedpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbons.

Researchconfirmsnon-flexandflex-fuelautomobileshavethesameenginesandparts,

exceptnon-flexautoenginecomputerprogrammingismoreefficientforunleadedE10,

187

E30blendsthanflex-fuelenginecomputerprogrammingthatmustalsoadjusttoblends

nearE85.

NationalFarmersUnionwillcontinueeffortstoexpandretailfuelsinfrastructureand

supporttheRFS.NFUhasfiledlegalcommentsthroughbothlawfirms-BoydenGray

AssociatesandLarsonandKingLLP-withEPAexposingEPA'sinvalid,arbitraryand

capriciousoverreachwithinterpretingCleanAirActsections211(f),201(c)and1974

CleanAirActMemorandum1a.

EPAandallgovernmentregulatorsshouldimmediatelyreversestatementsandpolicies

thatsayorevenindicateitisillegalforso-callednon-flexfuelautoownerstofuelwith

blender(flex)pumps'E30.

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FAMILYFARMINGANDLEADINGTHEWAYONCLIMATECHANGE

2017SPECIALORDEROFBUSINESS

ClimatechangejeopardizesfoodsecurityandthelivelihoodsofAmericanfamily

farmers,ranchersandruralresidents.ProducersandruralAmericanshavemuchto

contributetoreducingthegreenhousegasemissions,whichareexacerbatingthe

negativeconsequencesofclimatechange,throughthedevelopmentofrenewable

energy,implementationofcarbonsequestration,climate-smartproductionand

conservationpractices.NFUwillcontinuetoleadineducatingfamilyfarmers,ranchers

andruralcommunitiesonclimatechangeadaptationandmitigation.

NFUsupportspoliciesthatexpandrenewableenergy,especiallyassistanceforrural

powercooperatives.

NFUsupportsresearchfundingforsoilhealthandclimate-smartproduction.

NFUsupportsthepromotionofvoluntaryconservationpracticesthatfocusonwater

qualityandquantityconcerns.

NFUsupportsdevelopmentofcropsystemsdesignedforbiofuelandbiomass

production.

NFUshouldleadandsupporteffortsfortheadvancementofcarbonstorageinthesoils

offamilyfarmers,ranchers,andagro-foresters,withnewagriculture-basedmarkets

thatrewardthosethatpracticeandimplementconservationtechniquesscientifically

proventoreducegreenhousegasemissions.

189

FAMILYFARMINGANDTRADEPOLICY

2017SPECIALORDEROFBUSINESS

Accesstoglobalmarketsiscriticalforfamilyfarmagriculture.U.S.farmersandranchers

relyheavilyonstrongexportmarketstomaintaincommoditypricesandfarmrevenues.

However,theobjectivesandenforcementoffreetradeagreementsfrequentlyfailsto

adequatelyprotectfamilyfarmersandranchersfromunfairtradepractices.Thecurrent

attitudetowardtradeagreementsdoesnotprioritizetheinterestoffamilyfarmers.

Eachyearforthepastfortyyears,theUnitedStateshasamassedahugetradedeficit.

Every$1billionincreaseinimportscauseslossofover4,500jobs.In2016,thetotal

tradedeficittotaled$502.3billion.Eliminatingthetradedeficitcouldcreateasmanyas

2.3millionnewjobsacrosstheUnitedStates.

Agriculturetypicallyaccountsfor7-10%oftotalU.S.exports,andthesurplusin

agriculturaltradehelpsreducethetradedeficit.Negotiatorsoftenuseagricultureas

baittoachievefavorabletradeagreementsforothersectorsoftheeconomy.However,

ourdeeplyflawedtradeagendahasopeneddomesticmarketstocheap,oftenlow-

qualityfood,fuelandfiberproducts.Theagriculturaltradebalancedroppedover$26

billionfrom2011to2016.

InternationaltradeisanimportantpartofsuccessfulfamilyfarmingintheUnited

States,buttradeisnotanenduntoitself.Decreasingournationaltradedeficitwillbring

greatereconomicprosperitytoU.S.agricultureandthebroadereconomy.Currenttrade

agreementsdonotappropriatelyprioritizeeliminatingthetradedeficitandfailto

addressunfairpractices,suchascurrencymanipulation.

NFUencouragesthefederalgovernmenttoconductaformalandthoroughanalysisof

currentagriculturaltradeagreementstodeterminetheirsuccessatmeetingtheir

promisedgoals.NFUurgesprioritizationofeliminatingthetradedeficitinfuturetrade

agreements.Tothatend,futuretradenegotiationsshouldfocusonincreasing

agriculturalexportsandensuredomesticsovereigntyforfarmprogramswhilelimiting

importsofcheap,low-qualityagriculturalproducts,aswellasremovalofrulesand

regulationsfromtradeagreementsthatlimitdomesticlawsaffectingagricultural

commodityprices,quantities,orlabeling.

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Glossary

1031exchange–alsoknownasaStarkerexchangeoratax-deferredexchange;

permitsinvestmentpropertyownerstosellapropertyanddefertaxpaymentsby

reinvestingtheproceedsintoa“like-kind”investmentpropertyorproperties.A1031

exchangeisenabledbySection1031intheInternalRevenueCode

527organization–tax-exemptorganizationsprimarilyutilizedtoinfluencepolitical

elections.Thestructureofa527allowsunlimitedfinancialcontributionsandare

typicallynotregulatedbytheFederalElectionCommissionorstateelections

commissions

AFO–animalfeedingoperation;agriculturalenterprisewhereanimalsarekeptand

raisedinaconfinedsituation.AnAFOcongregatesanimals,feed,manureandurine,

deadanimals,andproductionoperationsonasmalllandarea

AggieBonds–stateagricultureloanprogrambasedontheuseoftax-exemptbondsto

assistbeginningfarmersandfirst-timefarmers

AgJOBS–legislationaimedatreforminglaborandimmigrationlawsspecificallyfor

agriculture

AGR/AGR-Lite–whole-farmcropinsurancethatprovidesproducerswithprotection

againstlowrevenuefromnaturalcausesandmarketfluctuations;coversincomefrom

agriculturalcommodities,aswellasincomefromanimals,animalproductsand

aquaculturespeciesrearedinacontrolledenvironment

AgriculturalConservationEasementProgram(ACEP)–AdministeredbyNRCS,it

providesfinancialandtechnicalassistancetohelpconserveagriculturallandsand

wetlandsandtheirrelatedbenefits

AmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials(ASTM)-Aninternationalstandards

organizationthatdevelopsandpublishesvoluntaryconsensustechnicalstandardsfora

widerangeofmaterials,products,systems,andservices

AMS–AgriculturalMarketingServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture;administers

programsthatfacilitatetheefficient,fairmarketingofU.S.agriculturalproducts,

includingfood,fiberandspecialtycrops

APHIS–AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionServiceoftheU.S.Departmentof

Agriculture;amulti-facetedAgencywithabroadmissionareathatincludesprotecting

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andpromotingU.S.agriculturalhealth,regulatinggeneticallyengineeredorganisms,

administeringtheAnimalWelfareActandcarryingoutwildlifedamagemanagement

activities

AverageCropRevenueElectionProgram(ACRE)–implementedasaresultofthe

2008FarmBill,ACREprovidesanoptionforfarmerstoforgoreceivingdirectand

countercyclicalpaymentsinexchangeforastate-levelrevenueguarantee.ACRE’s

fundingexpiresin2012

Base–laborthatprovidessignificantsupport,includingmaterialday-to-day

operationalsupport,forafamilyfarm,business,etc.

Basis–incommodities,thedifferencebetweenalocalcashpriceandtherelevant

futurescontractpriceforaspecifictimeperiod

BFP–basicformulaprice

BiobasedMarketsProgram–Authorizedinthe2002FarmBillandexpandedinthe

2008FarmBill,itestablishesaprocessfordeterminingeligibilitycriteriaforfederal

purchaseofbiobasedproducts

Biodiesel(ASTMD6751)–theAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials(ASTM)-

approvedstandardforbiodiesel,whichcoversblendsbetween5and20percent

biodieselbyvolumeblendedwithpetroleumdieselfuel;alsoknownasB100

Brucellosis–livestockdisease,whichcausescowstoabortcalf

BSE–bovinespongiformencephalopathy;aprogressiveneurologicaldisorderofcattle

thatresultsfrominfectionbyanunusualtransmissibleagentcalledaprion

ByrdAmendment–legislationthatprovidesfortheannualdistributionof

antidumping(AD)andcountervailingduties(CVD).Thedistributionisavailableto

“affecteddomesticproducersforqualifyingexpenditures.”An“affecteddomestic

producer”isdefinedasamanufacturer,producer,farmer,rancher,orworker

representative(includingassociationsofsuchpersons)that1)wasapetitioneror

interestedpartyinsupportofapetitionwithrespecttowhichanADorCVDorderwas

ineffectand2)remainsinoperation.Itwasrepealedin2005

CAFO–concentrated(confined)animalfeedingoperation;anAFOthatmeetsoneofthe

EPA’sregulatorydefinitionsoflargeCAFOs,mediumCAFOs,andsmallCAFOs

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Capandtrade–aregulatoryprogramthatsetsacaplevelofpermissibleemissionsand

allowsfirmstobuycreditsiftheyexceedthelimitandsellcreditsiftheyareunderthe

limit

Capper-VolsteadAct–the1922law,whichallowsproducerstoorganizeinto

cooperativeswithoutviolatingantitrustlaws

Carbonsequestration–thestorageofcarbonfromtheatmosphereinsoilorganic

matterthroughagriculturalpractices.Theproducer/landownerispaidanamountof

moneyforimplementingthispractice

Casein/caseinates–milkproteinthatismanufacturedfromskimmilkandusedin

processedfoodsandinindustrialproducts

CBO–CongressionalBudgetOffice;producesindependentanalysesofbudgetaryand

economicissuestosupporttheCongressionalbudgetprocess

CBOT–ChicagoBoardofTrade

CCC–CommodityCreditCorporationoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture;

government-ownedandoperatedentitythatwascreatedtostabilize,support,and

protectfarmincomeandprices;alsohelpsmaintainbalancedandadequatesuppliesof

agriculturalcommoditiesandaidsintheirorderlydistribution

CertificateofTransportation(COT)–afuturescontractissuedbyrailroadstograin

customersasaguaranteetopresentemptycoveredhoppersforloadingataspecific

locationwithanoptiontolockinprice

CFTC–CommodityFuturesTradingCommission,whichhasregulatoryoversightofU.S.

futurestrading

CHS–theforerunnerofCHSInc.,CenexHarvestStateswasformedin1998byamerger

betweentworegionalcooperatives,CentxInc.andHarvestStatesCooperative.Cenex

HarvestStatesCooperativeschangeditslegalnametoCHSInc.effectiveAugust5,2003

CircleofPoison–thecirclecreatedbychemicalsproducedintheUnitedStates,

bannedforusehere,exportedtoothercountries,andthenreturnedasresidueon

importedfood

CodexAlimentarius–acommissioncreatedin1963byFAOandWHOtodevelopfood

standards,guidelinesandrelatedtextssuchascodesofpracticeundertheJoint

FAO/WHOFoodStandardsProgramme

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Community-supportedagriculture(CSA)–afarminwhichmembersor

“shareholders”ofthefarmorgardenpledgeinadvancetocovertheanticipatedcostsof

thefarmoperationandfarmer’ssalaryandreceivesharesintheformoffoodinreturn

ComprehensiveLandPolicy–alandpolicythatincludesandconsidersallelementsor

aspectsoflanduseandconservationmethods,andwhichconsidersvalidmethods

whichcanbeobserved,measuredandevaluatedinanobjectivemanner

Contractgrower–apersonwhowillgroworraiseacommodityownedbyaprocessor

ormeatpacker.Thegrowerprovidesthelaborandfacility;otherproductioninputs

includingfeed,medicineandtheanimalsareprovidedbythe

integrator/processor/meatpacker

Cooperativedevelopmentcenters–regionalcenterssetuptofurtherthecooperative

movement

Countervailingduties(CVD)–specificdutiesimposedonimportstooffsetthe

benefitsofsubsidiestoproducersorexportersintheexportingcountry.Theexecutive

branchoftheU.S.governmenthasbeenlegallyempoweredsincethe1890stoimpose

countervailingdutiesinamountsequaltoany“bounties”or“grants”reflectedin

productsimportedintotheUnitedStates

CRP–USDA’sConservationReserveProgram,administeredbytheFSA;thelong-term

goaloftheprogramistore-establishvaluablelandcovertohelpimprovewaterquality,

preventsoilerosion,andreducelossofwildlifehabitat

CSP–USDA’sConservationStewardshipProgram;helpsagriculturalproducers

maintainandimprovetheirexistingconservationsystemsandadoptadditional

conservationactivitiestoaddresspriorityresourcesconcerns

CSREES–CooperativeStateResearch,Education,andExtensionService

Darkmarket–secretive,unregulated(thoughoftentechnicallylegal)tradingin

commodityfutures

Decoupling–theremovalofthelinkbetweenthereceiptofadirectpaymentandthe

productionofaspecificproduct

DFO–directfarmownershiploansadministeredbyFSA.Loanscanbeusedtopurchase

farmland,constructorrepairbuildingsandotherfixtures,andpromotesoilandwater

conservation

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E15–gasolineblendconsistingof15percentethanol,approvedforusein2001model

yearandnewervehicles

E85fillingstation–astationcapableofhandlinguptoan85percentethanolblend

EPA–U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

EQIP–USDA’sEnvironmentalQualityIncentiveProgram;voluntaryprogramthat

providesfinancialandtechnicalassistancetoagriculturalproducersthroughcontracts

uptoamaximumtermoftenyearsinlength,thathelpplanandimplement

conservationpractices

ESA–EndangeredSpeciesAct;administeredbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceand

theCommerceDepartment’sNationalMarineFisheriesService,withthepurposeof

protectingandrecoveringimperiledspeciesandtheecosystemsuponwhichthey

depend

ETBE–ethyltertiarybutylether,renewablegasolineoxygenatewhichusesethanolasa

feedstock

FairnessDoctrine–atenetoflicensedbroadcastingthatensuresareasonable

opportunityfortheairingofconflictingviewpointsoncontroversialissues

FarmerMac–FederalAgriculturalMortgageCorporation;government-sponsored

enterprisewiththemissionofprovidingasecondarymarketforagriculturalrealestate

mortgageloans,ruralhousingmortgageloans,andruralutilitycooperativeloans

Farmersmarket–apublic,recurringassemblyoffarmersortheirrepresentatives

sellinglocalagriculturalproductsthattheyhavegrown,raisedorproduced,directlyto

theconsumer.Suchmarketsmayincludeotherproducts,whichreasonablyservethe

publicorenhancethemarket’sdiversity

FAS–ForeignAgriculturalServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture;linksU.S.

agriculturetotheworldtoenhanceexportopportunitiesandglobalfoodsecurity

FCIC–FederalCropInsuranceCorporation–thishasbeenreorganizedtobecomethe

RiskManagementAgency(RMA)oftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture

FDIC–FederalDepositInsuranceCorporation;independentagencycreatedbythe

Congresstomaintainstabilityandpublicconfidenceinthenation’sfinancialsystem

Fed–FederalReserveBoard

FIFRA–FederalInsecticide,FungicideandRodenticideAct,whichprovidesforfederal

regulationofpesticidedistribution,sale,anduse

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Finfish–atruefish,distinguishedfromshellfish

Fishers–apersonwhocatchesfishforalivingorforsport

Flexpump–afillingstationfuelpumpthatallowsconsumerstoselectthedesired

blendofgasolineandethanol(alsoknownasablenderpump)

Flex-fuelvehicles–vehicleswhichcontainenginesthatarecapableofrunningon

eithergasolineorfuelblendscontainingmostlyethanolliketheE85blend

Fluoroquinolones–aclassofantimicrobialsthatkillbacteriaorpreventtheirgrowth

Foodhub–acentrallylocatedfacilitywithabusinessmanagementstructure

facilitatingtheaggregation,storage,processing,distribution,and/ormarketingof

locally/regionallyproducedfoodproducts

Foodwaste(alsoknownasfoodloss)–theedibleamountoffood,post-harvestthat

isavailableforhumanconsumptionbutisnotconsumed

FSA–FarmServiceAgencyoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture

GAO–GeneralAccountingOffice

Gender–thesociallyconstructedroles,behaviors,activities,andattributesthatagiven

societyconsidersappropriateformenandwomen

GeneralizedSystemofPreferences(GSP)–aprogramdesignedtopromoteeconomic

growthinthedevelopingworldbyprovidingpreferentialduty-freeentryforabout

4,800productsfrom131designatedbeneficiarycountriesandterritories

Geneticallymodifiedorganism(GMO)–anorganismwhosegeneticmaterialhas

beenalteredusinggeneticengineeringtechniques

GIPSA–GrainInspection,PackersandStockyardsAdministrationoftheU.S.

DepartmentofAgriculture

Glass-SteagallAct–alawpassedbyCongressin1933,whichprohibitedcommercial

banksfromengagingintheinvestmentbusiness.ThelawwasrepealedbytheGramm-

Leach-BlileyActof1999

Globalclimatechange,akaglobalwarming–changestotheearth’sclimatethatare

causedbyhumanactivity

GreenThumb–atrainingandemploymentprogramestablishedin1965byNFUfor

thepurposeofprovidingjobsforlow-incomepeoplewhowereage55orolderand

wantedtowork;theprogramisauthorizedintheOlderAmericansActandfunded

throughtheDepartmentofLabor

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GRP–USDA’sGrasslandsReserveProgram;voluntaryconservationprogramthat

emphasizedsupportforworkinggrazingoperations,enhancementofplantandanimal

biodiversity,andprotectionofgrasslandunderthreatofconversiontootheruses

GSM-102–short-termexportcreditguarantees.Thiscommercialloanprogram,

administeredthroughtheUSDA’sCommodityCreditCorporation,leveragesfinancing

fromtheprivatesectortosupportandencourageU.S.agriculturalexportstoforeign

markets.Onaverage,CCC’screditguaranteecovers95percentofthecombined

principleandinterestinGSM-102transactions

GSM-103–intermediate-term(3-10year)exportcreditguarantees

HatchAct–limitscertainpoliticalactivitiesofmostexecutivebranchemployees

HazardAnalysisCriticalControlPoint(HACCP)-Amanagementsysteminwhich

foodsafetyisaddressedthroughtheanalysisandcontrolofbiological,chemical,and

physicalhazardsfromrawmaterialproduction,procurementandhandling,to

manufacturing,distributionandconsumptionofthefinishedproduct.

Humphrey-HawkinsFullEmploymentAct–anactoflegislationthatexplicitly

instructsthenationtostrivetowardfourultimategoals:fullemployment,growthin

production,pricestability,andbalanceoftradeandbudget,bysettingrequirements

andgoalsforthefederalgovernmenttoattain

Hydraulicfracturing–theprocessbywhichaspeciallyblendedliquidispumped

downawellintoaformationunderpressurehighenoughtocausetheformationto

crackopen,formingpassagesthroughwhichoilcanflowintothewellbore

Integrator–aprocessorormeatpackerthatprovidesanimals,feed,medicineandother

productioninputstoanindividualasoutlinedinaproductioncontract

Ionophore–feedadditivethatenhancesfeedefficiencyincattlebyalteringruminal

fermentation

IRA–IndividualRetirementAccount

ITC–InvestmentTaxCredit(nottobeconfusedwiththeUSITC,theU.S.International

TradeCommission)

Johne’sDisease–chronicdiseaseaffectingdomesticanimals,especiallycattleand

sheep,causedbybacterium

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JonesAct–legislationthatregulatesmaritimecommercebetweenU.S.cities;requires

thatgoodsandpassengerstransportedbywaterbetweenU.S.portsbedoneinU.S.-

madeships,ownedbyU.S.citizensandcrewedbyU.S.citizens

KeoghDoctrine–alsoknownastheFiledRateDoctrine;precludesanawardof

damagesundertheantitrustlawswhenaplaintiffseeksarecoverymeasuredby

paymentsmadeaccordingtoratesapprovedbyaregulatoryagency

Landoperator–personwhorunsthefarm,makingday-to-daymanagementdecisions.

Theoperatorcouldbeanowner,hiredmanager,cashtenant,sharetenantand/ora

partner

Large-scalefamilyfarm–definedbytheUSDAasannualgrosscashfarmincomeof$1

million

Leachmining–therecovery,bychemicalleaching,ofthevaluablecomponentsofan

orebodywithoutphysicalextractionoftheorefromtheground

Livestock–inthispolicydocument,thetermincludescattle,swine,sheep,poultry,

goats,horses,buffaloandfarmedcervidae(deerfamily)thatareproducedforfood,

fiberorfeed

LivestockCompensationProgram–AsuiteofUSDAprogramsthatinclude:the

LivestockIndemnityProgram(LIP),theLivestockForageDisasterProgram(LFP),the

EmergencyAssistanceforLivestock,Honeybees,andFarm-RaisedFishProgram(ELAP)

andtheTreeAssistanceProgram(TAP)

Makeallowance–afactorusedinaformulafordeterminingthepriceofmilk.Inthe

formula,anallowanceisgivenforwhatitcoststoturnrawmilkintocheeseandnonfat

drymilk

MarginProtectionProgram–aninsuranceprogramrunbytheU.S.Departmentof

Agriculturetoprotectdairyproducersduringtimesoflowmargins

McGovern-DoleInternationalFoodforEducationandChildNutritionProgram–a

globalschoolfeedingprogramthatpromoteseducation,childdevelopment,andfood

securityforsomeoftheworld’spoorestchildren,throughdonationsofagricultural

commoditiesandfinancialandtechnicalassistanceforschoolfeedingandmaternaland

childnutritionprojectsinlow-incomecountries

MPC–milkproteinconcentrate

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NAFTA–NorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement,aninternationaltradeagreement

linkingMexico,theUnitedStates,andCanada;enactedinNovemberof1993

NASS–NationalAgriculturalStatisticsServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture

NATFARMPAC–theNationalFarmersUnionPoliticalActionCommittee

NationalGrazingLandsCoalition(NatGLC)-FormerlytheGrazingLands

ConservationInitiativeorGLCI,theNationalGrazingLandsCoalitionwasfoundedto

providetechnicalassistanceonprivatelyownedgrazinglandsonavoluntarybasisand

toincreasetheawarenessoftheimportanceofgrazinglandresources.

NationalRuralUtilitiesCooperativeFinanceCorporation–amember-owned,

nonprofitcooperativeandthepremierlenderforelectriccooperatives,includingRural

UtilitiesService(RUS)borrowersandnon-RUSborrowers

NationalSustainableAgricultureInformationService–theNationalSustainable

AgricultureInformationService,formerlyknownasAppropriateTechnologyTransfer

toRuralAreas(ATTRA),whichprovidessustainableagricultureinformationtothose

engagedinorservingcommercialagriculture

Neonicotinoids–aclassofinsecticideswithacommonmodeofactionthataffectsthe

centralnervoussystemofinsects,causingparalysisanddeath

NEPA–NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,whichrequiresfederalagenciestointegrate

environmentalvaluesintotheirdecision-makingprocessesbyconsideringthe

environmentalimpactsoftheirproposedactionsandreasonablealternativestothose

actions

Netneutrality–aprinciplethatstatesinternetserviceprovidersmaynotdiscriminate

betweendifferentkindsofcontentandapplicationsonline.Itguaranteesalevelplaying

fieldforallwebsitesandinternettechnologies

NIFA–NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture,formerlytheCooperativeState

Research,EducationandExtensionService(CSREES);providesleadershipandfunding

forprogramsthatadvanceagriculture-relatedsciences

Nonrecourseloan–acommodityloanthatgivestheborrowertheoptionsofrepaying

theloanincashorforfeitingthecommodity(collateral)tothelenderwhoacceptssaid

collateraltosatisfypaymentoftheloan,withoutrecourseagainsttheborrower

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NPDES–NationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystempermitprogramauthorized

bytheCleanWaterActtocontrolwaterpollutionbyregulatingpointsourcesthat

dischargepollutantsintowatersoftheUnitedStates

NRCS–NaturalResourcesConservationServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture;

providesAmerica’sfarmersandrancherswithfinancialandtechnicalassistanceto

voluntarilymakeconservationimprovements

OMB–OfficeofManagementandBudget;overseestheperformanceoffederalagencies,

andadministersthefederalbudget

Organic–theuseoforganicclaimsshallbedefinedbyUSDAundertheOrganicFoods

ProductionActandtheNationalOrganicProgram(NOP)

PackerConsentDecreeof1921–anagreementstruckbetweenpackersandthe

attorneygeneral’sofficethatallowedthepackerstoavoidantitrustprosecutionin

exchangeforagreeingto:1)sellholdingsinstockyards,railroads,marketnewspapers

andpublicwarehouse,2)abandonallretailmeatbusiness,3)abandoncontrolof

transportationfacilities,and4)dissolveanyconspiracieswithotherpackers

Parityindex–originally,thepriceperbushel,poundorbalethatwouldbenecessary

forabusheltodaytobuythesamequantityofgoods(fromastandardlist)thatabushel

wouldhaveboughtinthe1910-14baseperiodatthepricethenprevailing.In1948,the

paritypriceformulawasrevisedtomakeparitypricesdependentontherelationshipof

farmandnonfarmpricesduringthemostrecent10-yearperiodfornon-basic

commodities.Basiccommodities,includingwheat,corn,rice,peanuts,andcotton,use

thehigherofthehistoricalformulaorthenewformula(referredtobyUSDAasthe

“pricespaidindex.”Currentinformationcanbefoundat

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1002

)

Particulatematter–solidorliquidparticleslessthan10micronsindiameter

suspendedintheair

Pesticide–achemicalthatisusedtokillorcontrolanimals,insects,plants,orother

organisms.Thepurposeofapesticideistoreduceoreliminatedamagetocropsor

livestock.Includesinsecticides,herbicides,miticides,rodenticides,fungicides,etc.

Pharmacrops–cropsgrownspecificallyforuseinpharmaceuticalssuchasvaccines

andmedicine

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PL-480–lawthatauthorizestheUnitedStatestoprovidefoodaidtoneedyinother

countries

Poultry–anydomesticatedbirdbeingprocessedforhumanconsumption,accordingto

thePoultryProductsInspectionActof1957

Pughclause–aclauseaddedtoanoilleasetolimitholdingnon-producinglandsor

depthsbeyondtheprimarytermofthelease

Pulsecrop–legumesthatareharvestedexclusivelyfordrygrainsuchaspeas,lentils,

beans,andchickpeas

Raw–anyfoodinitsnaturalstate

RBS–RuralBusinessCooperativeServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture

rBST–Recombinantbovinesomatotropin,asynthetichormoneinjectedindairycows

toincreasemilkproduction

REC–ruralelectriccooperative

Recourseloan–acommodityloanthatmustberepaidincash,plusinterest

Retailwheeling–allowingutilitiestoabandoncurrentserviceterritoriesandsell

powerinanopenmarkettothehighestbidder

RMA–RiskManagementAgencyoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture

RochdalePrinciples–asetofguidelinesforcooperatives,establishedbyagroupof

artisansinRochdale,England,whoformedthefirstmoderncooperativebusinessin

1844.Theseprinciplesareknowntodayas:1)voluntaryandopenmembership;2)

democraticmembercontrol;3)membereconomicparticipation;4)autonomyand

independence;5)education,trainingandinformation;6)cooperationamong

cooperatives;and7)concernforcommunity

RPS–RenewablePortfolioStandard,apolicythatrequiresretailenergysuppliersto

provideenergyfromrenewablesourcesaspartoftheirelectricityportfolio

RUS–RuralUtilitiesServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture;administers

programsthatprovidemuch-neededinfrastructureorinfrastructureimprovementsto

ruralcommunities

SBA–SmallBusinessAdministration;deliversloans,loanguarantees,contracts,

counselingsessionsandotherformsofassistancetosmallbusinesses

Section22–asectionoftheAgriculturalAdjustmentActof1933(P.L.73-10)that

authorizesthepresidenttorestrictimportsbyimposingquotasorfeesonimportsthat

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interferewithfederalpricesupportprogramsorsubstantiallyreduceU.S.productionof

agriculturalproducts

Sexualorientation–aperson’ssexualidentityinrelationtothegendertowhichthey

areattracted;thefactofbeingheterosexual,homosexual,orbisexual

Slottingfee–afeechargedtocompaniesormanufacturersbyretailersinordertohave

theirproductsplacedonshelves

Smallfamilyfarm–definedbyUSDA’sEconomicResearchServiceasannualsalesof

lessthan$250,000

Smallwind–aresidentialwindturbinesystem,installedontopofatalltowerwith

100kWcapacityorless,whichcollectskineticenergyfromthewindandconvertsitto

electricitythatiscompatiblewithahome’selectricalsystem.Extrapowergeneratedis

typicallysoldtolocalutility

Smith-LeverAct–establishedanationalCooperativeExtensionServicethatextended

outreachprogramsthroughland-grantuniversitiestoeducateruralAmericansabout

advancesinagriculturalpracticesandtechnology

SpecialSupplementalNutritionProgramforWomen,InfantsandChildren(WIC)–

afederallyfundedhealthandnutritionprogramthathelpsfamiliesbyprovidingchecks

forbuyinghealthysupplementalfoodsfromWIC-authorizedvendors,nutrition

education,andhelpfindinghealthcareandothercommunityservices

StaggersAct–lawthatsignificantlyderegulatedtherailindustry,passedin1980

StarSchool/MedicalLink–telecommunicationsusedtolinkresearchhospitalsto

communityhospitals

SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)–formerlyknownasfood

stamps;afederalaidprogramadministeredbytheUSDAthatprovidesfinancial

assistanceforpurchasingfoodtolow-andno-incomepeoplelivingintheUnitedStates

SupplementalRevenueAssistanceProgram(SURE)–the“permanentdisaster”

programintendedtoreplaceadhocagriculturaldisasterassistancelegislation

SurfaceTransportationBoard–abipartisan,decisionally-independentadjudicatory

bodyorganizationallyhousedwithintheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation.TheBoard

providesaforumfortheresolutionofsurface-transportationdisputesandother

matterswithinitsjurisdiction.Ithastheauthoritytolimitorremoveregulatory

requirementswhereappropriate

202

Sustainable–anintegratedsystemofplantandanimalproductionpracticeshavinga

site-specificapplicationthatwill,overthelongterm:

• Satisfyhumanfoodandfiberneeds;

• Enhanceenvironmentalqualityandthenaturalresourcebaseuponwhichthe

agriculturaleconomydepends;

• Makethemostefficientuseofnonrenewableresourcesandon-farmresources

andintegrate,whereappropriate,naturalbiologicalcyclesandcontrols;

• Sustaintheeconomicviabilityoffarmoperations;and

• Enhancethequalityoflifeforfarmersandsocietyasawhole.

Thorium–anaturallyoccurring,slightlyradioactivemetalfoundinmostrocksand

soils

T-levels–ameasureoftheamountofsoillossthatcanoccureachyear(intonsofsoil

peracreperyear)andstillallowproductiontocontinueatcurrentlevels

TMDL–totalmaximumdailyloadisacalculationofthemaximumamountofa

pollutantthatabodyofwatercanreceiveandstillmeetwaterqualitystandards.

Commonlyreferredtoasa“pollutiondiet”

U.S.WarehouseAct–authorizesthesecretaryofagriculturetolicensewarehouse

operatorswhostoreagriculturalproductsandmeetspecificstandards

UF–ultra-filtered(milkproducts)

Unmannedaerialvehicle–anaircraftwithoutahumanpilotaboard,commonly

knownasadrone

USTR–U.S.TradeRepresentative;responsiblefordevelopingandcoordinatingU.S.

internationaltrade,commodity,anddirectinvestmentpolicy,andoverseeing

negotiationswithothercountries

VAT–value-addedtax

Vermiculture–theraisingandproductionofearthwormsandwormcastings

Waterspreading–thepracticeofusingallocatedwateronundesignatedacres

WFO–WorldFarmersOrganization,ofwhichNFUisamember

WHIP–USDA’sWildlifeHabitatIncentivesProgram

WorldFoodSummit–U.N.meetingwhereheadsofstatecommittedtoreducing

hunger

203

WRP–USDA’sWetlandsReserveProgram;voluntaryprogramthatofferedlandowners

theopportunitytoprotect,restore,andenhancewetlandsontheirproperty

WTO–WorldTradeOrganization,abodycreatedinthelastmajortradeagreementthat

handlesdisputesbetweensignatorynationstotheUruguayRoundoftheGeneral

AgreementonTariffsandTrade

WTOboxes–usedtocategorizeprogramsbasedontheirimpactontrade.Amberbox

programsareconsideredtobethemosttradedistorting.Blueboxprogramsareless

tradedistorting,andgreenboxprogramshavenosignificantimpactontrade

204

INDEX1

1031exchanges...............................................................................................................107,140,141

9

911emergency............................................................................................................................152,177

A

actualproductionhistory(APH)........................................................................................41,47,48

AggieBond..................................................................................................................................................80

AgricultureintheClassroom...........................................................................................................161

AgricultureQuarantineInspectionsProgram.............................................................................77

agri-terrorism........................................................................................................................................172

agri-tourism.......................................................................................................................................46,47

airquality.............................................................................................................................101,123,131

airtransportation.................................................................................................................................152

All-StatesCamp...........................................................................................................................180,181

alternativecrops...................................................................................................................................145

alternativefuels...........................................................................................................................132,134

Amtrak.......................................................................................................................................................147

anaerobicdigesters.............................................................................................................................129

anhydrousammonia...........................................................................................................................105

AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService(APHIS)....................................................31,105

AnimalFeedingOperation(AFO)..................................................................................................101

animalwelfare................................................................................................................................29,161

205

antibiotics...................................................................................................................................................32

antitrust.........................................................................................................................53,66,67,68,85

aquaculture...............................................................................................................25,35,36,38,146

ArmyCorpsofEngineers..................................................................................................................119

artificialgrowthhormone...................................................................................................................39

B

bankregulation.....................................................................................................................................139

bankruptcy............................................................................................................................81,126,143

beginningfarmer...........................................................................22,23,24,25,50,81,140,145

bestmanagementpractices(BMPs).......................................................................46,98,99,102

biodiesel....................................................................................................................129,131,132,134

biofuel........................................................................................................21,115,126,128,129,131

BiofuelsFeedstockReserve......................................................................................................21,128

biomass...........................................................................................................................................115,127

biotechnology....................................................................................................................................62,63

bovinespongiformencephalopathy(BSE).......................................................................30,32

broadband...............................................................................................................................................153

brucellosis...................................................................................................................................................94

bufferzones...............................................................................................................................................44

C

capitalgains..........................................................................................................................88,140,142

Capper-VolsteadAct.......................................................................................................................85,86

captivesupply...........................................................................................................................................68

206

carboncredits........................................................................................................................................109

carbonmonoxide.....................................................................................................................................39

carbonsequestration........................................................................................................74,109,110

CaribbeanBasinInitiative................................................................................................................132

casein..............................................................................................................................27,28,40,58,77

cellulosic...............................................................................................................................129,130,131

censusofagriculture......................................................................................................................55,56

checkoff.........................................................................................................................................56,57,58

chemicalweapons................................................................................................................................120

ChesapeakeBayProgram....................................................................................................................98

China.............................................................................................................................................................77

CHS.................................................................................................................................................................89

climatechange.............................................................................................................................109,110

cloned...........................................................................................................................................................39

coal.......................................................................................................................................................96,142

ColonyCollapseDisorder.............................................................................................................45,46

CommoditiesExchangeAct..............................................................................................................144

CommodityCreditCorporation(CCC)....................................................................................25,42

commodityfutures...........................................................................................................143,144,162

CommodityFuturesTradingCommission(CFTC)..........................................................55,143

commodityloans.............................................................................................................................40,42

CommunityBasedEnergyDevelopment(CBED)...................................................................129

competition...........38,43,64,66,67,68,73,74,75,84,86,89,146,147,148,149,150

207

ConfinedAnimalFeedingOperation(CAFO)................................................98,101,102,103

CongressionalBudgetOffice(CBO)..............................................................................................138

conservation........19,37,46,50,52,61,82,90,92,94,95,96,100,108,109,110,111,

112,113,114,115,116,122,124,129,138,143,146,183

ConservationReserveProgram(CRP)..................................................21,109,113,114,115

ConservationStewardshipProgram(CSP)........................................................................24,116

ConsumerPriceIndex...........................................................................................................................19

consumerprotection..........................................................................................28,30,77,156,174

contamination........................................................................................29,63,64,92,98,120,135

contractgrower.....................................................................................................................................183

contractproducer.....................................................................................................................68,70,71

cooperative.........37,44,52,53,58,68,71,74,80,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,91,94,

106,122,123,124,125,127,130,132,133,134,143,145,146,147,149,150,

152,153,160,173,174,179,180,181,182,183

cooperativedevelopment.....................................................................................................58,75,88

cooperativeeducation...........................................................................................................................86

cooperativelaws......................................................................................................................................85

cotton............................................................................................................................................................40

country-of-originlabeling(COOL)..........................................................................35,38,42,122

coyotes......................................................................................................................................................118

credit....23,24,74,75,80,81,82,83,84,110,116,123,128,129,130,137,138,139,

140,141,142,143,145,154,157,162

creditunion......................................................................................................................................80,140

208

cropinsurance.................................................................21,47,48,49,50,51,61,81,114,116

cross-contamination......................................................................................................................29,64

Cuba...............................................................................................................................................................79

currencymanipulation..................................................................................................................72,74

D

dairy.........................................................................21,25,26,27,28,29,38,40,45,58,74,167

debt.........................................................................................................................................80,81,82,83

deregulation...................................................................................................121,122,146,148,152

diesel..........................................................................................................................................................134

disaster............................................................21,37,41,47,48,49,52,82,114,115,177,195

distillersgrain........................................................................................................................................130

drought............................................................................................................................48,50,100,114

E

E85....................................................................................................................................................128,134

easement.......................................................................................................24,82,92,107,113,117

economicdevelopment..............................................................................42,73,78,79,108,154

education22,24,25,33,37,43,45,49,51,53,71,79,81,82,85,90,92,98,101,104,

145,153,156,159,160,161,163,172,179,180,181,183

eggs................................................................................................................................................................69

election....................................................................................................................................56,174,175

EmergencyFoodAssistanceProgram(TEFAP)......................................................................168

eminentdomain...........................................................................................107,108,124,125,141

employment...................................................................................................161,164,165,166,167

209

endangeredspecies..............................................................................................113,114,118,119

end-usecertificate....................................................................................................................28,30,75

energy.......21,22,41,91,94,95,96,103,109,110,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,

127,128,129,132,133,134,135,136,137,145,147,166,183

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)45,97,98,99,100,101,103,104,110,112,

123,134

EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)............................................24,112,113

erosion.............................................................................................................................................111,114

estatetax..............................................................................................................................136,140,141

ethanol.............................................................................................44,122,129,130,131,132,134

excisetax...................................................................................................................122,130,131,147

exportsubsidies...............................................................................................................................72,74

F

familyfarm..18,19,20,21,23,26,30,35,37,47,48,51,52,54,56,57,60,66,72,80,

81,83,84,85,88,90,91,92,93,96,98,99,101,108,111,112,113,114,121,

128,138,141,142,144,145,146,147,152,154,160,162,179,183

FarmCreditSystem(FCS)............................................................................................................83,84

FarmServiceAgency(FSA)......23,25,47,49,51,52,56,81,82,83,92,113,115,116,

117

farmer-electedcommittees.......................................................................................................51,112

FarmersMarketNutritionProgram.............................................................................................167

farmersmarkets...........................................................................................................23,44,167,168

FarmersUnionCenter........................................................................................................................181

210

FarmersUnionLegislativeBudgetFund....................................................................................181

farm-to-school................................................................................................................................23,167

fast-track.............................................................................................................................................75,76

federalbudget....................................................................................................................138,147,159

FederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)...........................................................................153

FederalTradeCommission(FTC)....................................................................................................67

feedgrains..................................................................................................................................................40

feedstock..............................................................................................................................109,115,131

fertilizer..............................................................................................................54,101,104,105,129

firefighters...............................................................................................................................................177

fishing.................................................................................................25,35,36,37,38,91,121,142

flexpumps.....................................................................................................................................128,134

flex-fuelvehicles.........................................................................................................................129,131

floodcontrol.......................................................................................................................109,112,119

floodplain................................................................................................................................................111

floriculture..................................................................................................................................................44

foodaid................................................................................................................................................23,78

FoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)................28,30,32,43,46,62,63,77,158,171

foodassistance................................................................................................................................78,168

foodbanks........................................................................................................................................58,168

foodimports..............................................................................................................................................76

foodinspection...............................................................................................................................36,172

foodsafety...........................................................................30,63,73,75,76,147,161,170,171

211

foodsecurity......................................................................................................21,22,72,73,79,145

Foot-and-MouthDisease(FMD)................................................................................................32,33

forest.....................................................................................................................44,74,93,94,95,114

fossilfuel..............................................................................................................................121,124,133

fruits...............................................................................................................................................23,44,45

fuelstoragetank...................................................................................................................................134

G

generallyregardedassafe(GRAS)...................................................................................................28

genericdrugs..........................................................................................................................................158

geneticallymodifiedorganism(GMO)............................................................................62,63,64

grains.............................................................................................................................................40,64,78

grazingallotments..........................................................................................................................91,93

grazingfees................................................................................................................................................92

GrazingLandsConservationInitiative(GLCI)............................................................................95

greenhousegas......................................................................................................................................109

groundwater........................................................................................................97,99,103,120,135

H

hay......................................................................................................................................42,45,114,115

hazardoussubstances........................................................................................................................148

hazardouswaste.......................................................................................................99,105,119,120

healthcare..................................................................................................32,60,145,156,157,158

heavymetals..............................................................................................................................................60

hemp.............................................................................................................................................................45

212

highlyerodibleland.............................................................................................................................114

honey.....................................................................................................................................38,42,45,46

horse.............................................................................................................................................................30

horticulture................................................................................................................................................44

hospital...........................................................................................................................................159,177

housing....................................................................................................................................53,173,174

hunger........................................................................................................................................73,78,169

hunting......................................................................................................................................................114

hydroelectric..........................................................................................................................................125

hydrology.................................................................................................................................................117

I

importquota..............................................................................................................................................30

incometax.......................................................................................................................82,91,128,141

Indianreservation................................................................................................................................146

industrialdevelopmentbonds........................................................................................................154

inspectionstandards..................................................................................................76,77,170,172

interstatecommerce..............................................................................................................................86

invasivespecies......................................................................................................................45,46,105

irradiation...................................................................................................................................................60

irrigation.................................................................................................................48,96,97,102,112

J

Johne’sDisease.........................................................................................................................................32

JusticeDepartment(DOJ)....................................................................................................................67

213

L

labeling........................................27,28,30,38,39,40,60,75,77,105,158,169,170,174

labor........................................................................18,20,43,53,54,72,75,103,166,173,183

landstewardship.....................................................................................................................................92

landtransfer............................................................................................................................24,91,103

landvalue.........................................................................................81,92,107,113,117,126,140

land-grant..............................................................................................................................93,162,163

LivestockCompensationProgram...........................................................................................21,47

M

mandatoryarbitration................................................................................................................70,136

manure....................................................................................................................................98,101,102

marketaccess....................................................................................................................................72,75

MarketAccessProgram(MAP).........................................................................................................74

marketorder.....................................................................................................................................26,27

McGovern-DoleInternationalFoodforEducationandChildNutritionprogram.......78

Medicaid.........................................................................................................................................158,159

medicalresearch..............................................................................................................................29,42

membership......................................................................................................................58,86,89,182

milkproteinconcentrate(MPC)............................................................27,28,40,58,77,170

minerallease..........................................................................................................................................106

N

NationalAgriculturalStatisticsService(NASS).........................................................................25

214

NationalAnimalIdentification..................................................................................................34,39

NationalBufferStripInitiative.......................................................................................................115

NationalFarmersUnionPoliticalActionCommittee(NATFARMPAC)...............175,181

NationalOrganicProgram(NOP)...........................................................................................61,171

NationalOrganicStandardsBoard(NOSB)..................................................................................60

NationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)..............................................101

NationalSchoolLunchProgram.............................................................................................25,169

NaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)..............25,52,95,111,113,116,117

nitrogen....................................................................................................................................................102

non-recourse.....................................................................................................................................40,42

noxious...............................................................................................................................................75,106

nuclear...................................................................................................................................119,120,124

nurserycrops............................................................................................................................................44

nutrientmanagement...............................................................................................................102,105

nutrition......................................................23,37,40,44,58,73,78,156,167,168,169,183

O

oilseed................................................................................................................................................40,132

organic.............................................................................................39,49,50,60,61,109,114,135

OrganizationsConcernedwithRuralEducation(OCRE)....................................................160

P

parity.............................................................................................................................................................19

particulatematter................................................................................................................................101

paymentlimits................................................................................................................................20,113

215

peanut...........................................................................................................................................................43

pestcontrol................................................................................................................................................45

pesticide..........................................................................42,43,45,46,53,54,77,103,104,170

petroleum................................................................................................................................................122

pollinator.............................................................................................................................................45,46

pollution....................................................................................60,98,99,104,111,113,131,134

postalservice..........................................................................................................................................176

poultry..................................................................................................31,37,40,68,69,70,98,183

predator..................................................................................................................................93,118,154

prescribedburning..............................................................................................................................106

prescriptiondrug..................................................................................................................................158

pricereporting..................................................................................................................................25,68

pricesupport..............................................................................................................................20,40,47

privatelandowners.........................................................................................................................44,90

producerliability.....................................................................................................................................34

producerreferendum....................................................................................................................27,57

productiontaxcredit(PTC).............................................................................................................128

propertyrights.......................................................................................................106,108,117,136

publicland...........................................................................90,92,93,94,95,105,106,119,124

Q

quotalimits................................................................................................................................................44

R

railroad...........................................................................................68,128,132,148,149,150,151

216

rangeland....................................................................................................................................................92

rawmilk(forhumanconsumption)................................................................................................29

recombinantbovinesomatotropin(rBST)...........................................................................28,40

recycling...............................................................................................................................104,132,134

refineries..................................................................................................................................................122

renewableenergy............94,95,103,121,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,137,145

RenewablePortfolioStandard(RPS)...........................................................................................123

research........21,24,26,32,33,34,37,39,42,43,45,46,56,57,58,61,62,63,98,99,

101,104,105,106,109,110,113,115,120,127,128,129,130,132,133,144,

145,156,162,163,165,167,169

RiskManagementAgency(RMA).......................................................................24,37,48,49,50

road................................................................................................................53,95,105,106,146,148

RochdalePrinciples................................................................................................................................86

ruraldevelopment...................................................................................................24,145,146,154

ruralhospital..........................................................................................................................................159

RuralUtilitiesService(RUS)............................................................................................................124

S

safetynet....................................................................................19,21,42,44,47,48,74,138,157

school......................................................................25,28,88,102,135,151,160,161,162,169

seafood................................................................................................................................36,38,39,145

senior...............................................................................................................................................166,167

sewagesludge...........................................................................................................................................60

shelterbelts..............................................................................................................................................115

217

shippingchannels.................................................................................................................................151

SmallBusinessAdministration(SBA).........................................................................................154

SocialSecurity..............................................................................................................................163,164

sod........................................................................................................................................................44,116

sodbuster.......................................................................................................................................111,116

solar.....................................................................................123,126,128,129,133,135,136,137

solidwaste.....................................................................................................................................102,134

specialtycrop..............................................................................................................23,25,43,44,45

StaggersAct...................................................................................................................................149,151

storablecommodities............................................................................................................................54

StrategicPetroleumReserve...........................................................................................................122

sugar......................................................................................................................................................43,44

SurfaceTransportationBoard(STB).................................................................................148,151

swampbuster................................................................................................................................111,116

T

tariff.............................................................................................27,28,30,42,74,75,76,126,132

tariffratequota.................................................................................................................28,30,74,75

taxes................................................................76,81,88,91,115,122,140,142,148,153,166

technicalexpertise...............................................................................................................................145

telecommunications..................................................................................................................145,153

Termlimitations...................................................................................................................................175

therapeuticantibiotics..........................................................................................................................32

timber.................................................................................................................................................95,114

218

T-levels......................................................................................................................................................116

tobacco.................................................................................................................................................42,43

TotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)......................................................................................99,100

TradeAdjustmentAssistance............................................................................................................75

tradeagreement................................................................................................................72,73,76,77

transmissionlines.................................................................................................123,124,128,137

transportation....27,54,55,64,132,145,146,147,148,149,150,151,168,170,171

tree...............................................................................................................................................44,45,115

truck.................................................................................................................................................147,148

Truth-in-Labeling.................................................................................................................................174

Truth-in-Lending..................................................................................................................................174

turfgrass.....................................................................................................................................................44

U

ultra-filtered(UF)milk........................................................................................................27,28,40

UnitedNations........................................................................................................................77,96,173

userfee.............................................................................................................................59,60,142,151

V

value-added...................................................18,24,46,76,82,87,88,95,130,133,145,154

vegetable............................................................................................................................23,44,45,171

verticalintegration..................................................................................................................18,57,66

veterans...................................................................................................................23,24,91,146,159

219

W

warehouse...................................................................................................................................43,54,55

wastemanagement....................................................................98,101,102,105,129,132,134

waterquality.................................................................................................................97,99,100,135

wetland..................................................................................................................44,91,111,116,117

wheat............................................................................................................................................................40

wildlife...........................................................................................82,92,94,95,108,114,118,127

wind................................................................111,123,126,128,129,132,133,135,136,137

windturbine.................................................................................................................................129,137

women.....................................................................................................................................37,165,176

wool...............................................................................................................................................................42

Y

youth....................................................................................................................79,160,175,180,181

Z

zoning......................................................................................................................................44,108,109