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By Mike Barnett
Editor
The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation said the Nov. 2 election is good for agriculture, for several reasons.
"First, and I guess this is most important for this country, is we had tremendous turnout, rural areas included," AFBF President Bob Stallman told Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network's Curt Lancaster in a recent interview. "So, we really did have a lot of people taking part in the democratic process."
Another plus is the reelection of President Bush and his administration, that Stallman said will give the government continuity and focus.
"Everyone knows where we're going," Stallman said. "We have the players in place in the different agencies and the cabinet secretaries are there. So it keeps you from having to go through that difficult transitional period when you actually change administrations."
Looking at the elections from an issues standpoint, Stallman said agriculture is well positioned to move forward on energy, tax reforms that are important to agriculture, and regulatory issues.
Additionally, Stallman said agriculture may be in a position to revisit some of the legislation—"particularly under the endangered species act and some of the other areas that have been creating problems for agriculture."
Stallman touched on several issues, including the following:
• Energy. The high price of fuel has hurt farmers and ranchers, but Stallman said price is simply a function of supply and demand. A booming economy in China, for example, has kept demand high worldwide. And new supplies aren't coming on line fast enough.
"We really think this country needs a good, comprehensive energy policy," Stallman said. "We need a strong role for renewables, which agriculture can provide—both in terms of biodiesel and ethanol."
Stallman said domestic exploration for oil needs to open up off the coast and in other areas of the country that are off limits but have proven reserves. Conservation helps, but is not the answer, he said.
"Farmers, I think, are pretty good at conserving," Stallman, former president of the Texas Farm Bureau, said. "I don't think we're going to conserve our way out of this. I think we need to increase supply and a good energy policy in this country will allow us to do that."
• Social Security. Stallman said President Bush has made it clear in statements since the election that social security reform is a priority.
"President Bush certainly thinks privatizing the accounts or allowing individuals to invest their own money is a good path, and I think Farm Bureau people in general think it's always good to allow you to invest your own money."
• Farm Bill. A farm bill rewrite is due in 2007, but according to Stallman, a more pressing concern is maintaining budget numbers for the current Farm Bill.
"That is the first question that will have to be answered in 2005," he said.
Stallman said rumors have started that hearings on a new farm bill could be held toward the end of 2005. And, there is still uncertainty on how WTO dispute cases will be reconciled.
"Hopefully, we can maintain this current farm program through its expiration in 2007 and then spend the time we need prior to that getting ready for a new farm bill," he said.
Stallman said he expected fast action as President Bush starts his second term.
"I think, when you look at history, a president in his second term has a period early on when he can make pretty good progress," Stallman said. "But then, when you get toward the end of the term, everyone starts worrying about who the next president will be and then your political capitol diminishes. So I think we better take the president at his word that he's going to move forward aggressively in the early months of his administration to make some things happen."
