Federal Policy Issues for NEFU 2013 Convention (Chandler Goule, NFU)
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Transcript of Federal Policy Issues for NEFU 2013 Convention (Chandler Goule, NFU)
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Government Relations Update
Lingering Effects of the Shutdown• Sixteen day
shutdown• Short-term CR
through Jan. 15• Debt ceiling
extended to Feb.
GRIDLOCK
Lingering Effects of the Shutdown
• Natural disasters need a response
• USDA, FEMA unable to respond
• Farm bill lapse causes further problems
Latest Farm Bill Developments
Farm Bill Conferees – Senate
DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
Farm Bill Conferees – Senate
Farm Bill Conferees – House Ag Committee
REPUBLICANS
DEMOCRATS
House Ways & Means Committee
House Foreign Affairs Committee
Additional Farm Bill Conferees
House Leadership
Farm Bill Conferees – House
Major Farm Bill Conference Asks• Keep “permanent law”
• Set fixed reference prices
• Include dairy stabilization program
• Mandatory funding for energy title
• Oppose changes to COOL
• Support farmers market and local foods programs
6
NFU Priorities – Senate vs. House
• Smaller cuts to nutrition (5 years)
• Dairy stabilization• Energy title funding• COOL & GIPSA – no
changes• Compliance• Title I payment limits
• Title I price protection (PLC)
• Beginning Farmer programs
SENATE HOUSE
Other Issues in Play• Nutrition cuts – $39.5 billion (HOUSE) vs. $4.5 billion (SENATE)
• Crop insurance – Conservation compliance – SENATE – Premium subsidy reductions based on income
• Oppose efforts to undo COOL• Title I Payment & Eligibility Limits – SENATE • Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program – HOUSE • Organic Ag. Research & Extension – HOUSE
Other Issues in Play• Oppose weakening GIPSA• Specialty Crop Research
Initiative – HOUSE • Rural Energy for America
Program– Blender pumps – SENATE – Feasibility studies – HOUSE
• Reauthorize Specialty Crop Block Grants – HOUSE
• FIFRA vs. CWA
What Should a Farm Safety Net Do?
#1 Help in times of disaster- Crop insurance- Disaster programs (especially livestock)
Protect against long-term price declines- Target (or reference) prices
#2
Country-of-Origin Labeling
www.uscooldefensefund.orgMake a contribution online at:
• New rules took effect November 23– Response to WTO’s decision that the COOL law
was okay, but implementation needed to change– Packers, processors, Canadians & Mexicans filed
suit against USDA– NFU has intervened on
USDA’s side– Don’t change the law!
Country-of-Origin Labeling• Backlash from Canada– Threatens trade retaliation, claims $1 billion loss– WTO prevents unilateral action– Canadians now lobbying in Washington
• Packers are the real culprit– Tyson stopped buying Canadian cattle– Real costs of COOL: 1/3rd of a penny per pound
Other Policy Issues
Food Safety Modernization Act• FSMA is a well-intentioned reform effort • No major changes to food safety laws since 1940s• Prevention rather than reaction• NFU commented on two rules:
Produce Rule & Preventive Controls Rule
• A second comment period is needed
International Year of Family Farming
• United Nations - worldwide• NFU will be the U.S. leader• Monthly themed events
2014
United to Grow Family Agriculture
International Year of Family Farming
January: International Year of Family Farming
February: Consumers
March: The Marketplace
April: Renewable Energy
May: Rural Life
June: Developing Leaders
2014
International Year of Family Farming
July: The Future of Agriculture
August: Local Economies
September: Farm Safety
October: Communities & Cooperatives
November: Ending World Hunger
December: Global Marketplace
2014
www.nfu.org@NFUDCNational Farmers Union