|
|
|
|
|
By Mike Barnett
Editor
Maintaining the structure and funding for the U.S. farm program will be a top priority of the nation's largest general farm organization in 2005, said American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman during his annual address at the 86th annual meeting.
"It is never bad to hold a good, reasoned debate about U.S. farm policy, but let's do it at the appropriate time," Stallman said. "We will be glad to talk about policies for the 2007 farm bill and even start that discussion during 2005. But we have to let the current farm bill run its course."
Noting that farm planning is a multi-year effort, Stallman said it would be wrong to shift policy halfway through the current farm bill.
"Today's farm program is working," he said. "Its cost is comparatively small, less than seven-tenths of 1 percent of the federal budget, and our government's return on that investment in rural America is hard for any farm bill critic to refute...
"Changing the farm bill at this time would tie the hands of our trade negotiators during World Trade talks. At the very time they are trying to negotiate a bigger and fairer share of the world market for our farm exports, why should we be willing to throw our bargaining power straight out the window?"
The former Texas Farm Bureau president said a successful conclusion to World Trade Organization (WTO) talks is key to increasing U.S. markets and profitability. Stallman noted the organization will watch those negotiations closely.
Passage of a comprehensive energy policy will also be a top priority for the organization. Increased energy prices the last two years alone have cost farmers and ranchers an additional $6 billion.
"While skyrocketing costs are clearly a problem, your farms are offering a clear solution. This past year, we secured new tax incentives for renewable fuels such as farm-grown ethanol and biodiesel," Stallman said, noting Farm Bureau will push for legislation that sets realistic standards for the use of home-grown fuels and substantially increases the domestic energy supply.
The organization will once again make repeal of the estate tax a top priority.
"The good news is that our latest count shows that with hard work and positive communication, there will be just enough votes in the 109th Congress to kill the death tax, once and for all," Stallman said.
He mentioned two initiatives involving the Farm Bureau Women and Young Farmers and Ranchers programs will lead an effort to provide aid to farm families who were hit by the tsunami disaster. FB members were also asked to donate to the USO "Beef Up Our Troops" campaign.
