Federal Policy Issues for NEFU 2013 Convention (Chandler Goule, NFU)
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Chandler Goule, NFU, presents federal policy issues at NEFU's 2013 Convention, December 2013. COOL, Farm Bill and more.
Transcript of Federal Policy Issues for NEFU 2013 Convention (Chandler Goule, NFU)
NFU Membership
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say about the new Office Depot discount:
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and shirts to Cabela’s gift certificates • Ask your state office for Awards referral form
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National Convention: March 8 – 11, 2014
• Sign up for Women’s Conference in Florida!
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
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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
