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In a letter sent Jan. 26 to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman welcomed the new USDA chief to his post and outlined AFBF's position confirming the organization's support for the 2002 farm bill.
"The American Farm Bureau Federation completed our annual meeting two weeks ago," Stallman wrote. "Our voting delegates strongly reiterated their support for the 2002 farm bill and our strong opposition to any budget reductions affecting that law."
Stallman told Secretary Johanns that at the conclusion of the AFBF annual meeting, the AFBF board of directors adopted the following policy statement regarding the 2002 farm bill:
"Continued maintenance of the structure and funding for the 2002 farm bill is a priority. Farm planning is a multi-year process. The 2002 farm bill provided a long-term commitment to our producers and it would be wrong to shift policy before the end of the term provided for in the legislation. AFBF recognizes that the 2002 farm bill not only provides a safety net for our producers, but also provides leverage to international trade negotiators and provides needed conservation program support. Farm policy debate in the context of the development of the 2007 farm bill will be welcomed at the appropriate time and Farm Bureau will be a willing participant in such discussions. Until the 2007 farm bill is developed, however, Farm Bureau will make maintenance of the 2002 farm bill funding and structure a priority."
The administration is expected to send its budget recommendations to Congress in early February.
