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U.S. Agriculture Paying Price for Inaction on Mexican Trucks
WASHINGTON, D.C., – Mexico's trade retaliation against the United States is expanding in size and scope due to the U.S. government not meeting obligations to allow Mexican trucks to operate in the United States. Due to this inaction, America's farmers and ranchers are paying a steep price and the American Farm Bureau Federation is calling for immediate action to correct the matter.
The updated retaliation list published by Mexico includes tariffs that take effect today against U.S. pork, certain types of U.S. cheese, pistachios, a wide range of U.S. fruits and vegetables and other farm and non-farm goods.
"Mexico is one of our best trading partners and allowing this retaliation to continue for a provision we are obligated to meet is simply unacceptable," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "The economic impact from this growing list will be significant to many farmers and ranchers."
Well-Testing Offered in Cassia, Minidoka Counties
Well-Testing Offered in Cassia, Minidoka Counties
POCATELLO — The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation is offering domestic water well and spring testing in Cassia and Minidoka Counties starting August 18th.
“This is a great benefit for our members; it gives them peace of mind knowing what’s in their drinking water,” said IFBF Project Coordinator Chuck Garner. “Nitrate is a naturally occurring element in ground water, and those levels can change from year to year. Cities test all the time; it’s just a good idea to have the well water tested.”
The IFBF first initiated well testing back in 1990 to provide for the health and safety of our members. To date more than 5,300 wells were sampled in 27 Idaho counties. “The last time we did Cassia/Minidoka counties we had more than 170 samples,” said Garner. “We’re hoping to better that number this time around.”
Doubling Exports in Five Years: How We Do It
Fundamental Changes Are Necessary to Meet Goal of National Export Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C., – The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the Coalition of Service Industries (CSI) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) put forth a comprehensive approach today to double U.S. exports in five years – a key goal of President Obama’s. Under this approach, the three organizations outline policy changes needed to improve market access and level the playing field in a competitive global market. Doubling exports in five years is an ambitious but achievable goal if major changes are enacted.
AFBF Backs Estate Tax Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C., - The American Farm Bureau Federation backs an amendment to the small business lending bill that would permanently reform the federal estate tax and has asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), to allow the Senate to consider the proposal.
“This will give farmers and ranchers a better opportunity to continue food, fiber and fuel production and transfer family-owned operations from one generation to the next,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
In a letter sent to Reid and copied to other members of the Senate, Stallman said Farm Bureau supports an amendment to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5297), proposed by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), to permanently set the estate tax rate at 35 percent, with a $5 million exemption phased in over 10 years and indexed for inflation.
Retail Staple Food Prices Edge Higher in Second Quarter
WASHINGTON, D.C.,– Retail food prices at the supermarket increased slightly during the second quarter of 2010, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey.
The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $47.20, up $1.66 or 4 percent compared to the first quarter of 2010. The total average price for the 16 items increased about 2 percent compared to one year ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, nine increased and seven decreased in average price compared to the prior quarter.
Sirloin tip roast, sliced deli ham, bacon, boneless chicken breasts and ground chuck increased the most in dollar value since the first quarter.
AFBF Applauds Committee Passage of Cuba Trade Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C., - The House Agriculture Committee’s recent approval of the Cuba trade bill will help increase agriculture exports to that island nation and help make U.S. agricultural goods the products of choice in the Cuban marketplace, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“This vote takes us one step closer to placing American-grown food on the tables of the Cuban people,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “We are hopeful the House will expedite consideration of this bill so we can take advantage of our competitive position in the Cuban market.”
Farm Bill Structure, Funding Critical to Safety Net
WASHINGTON, D.C.,– The 2012 farm bill must continue to provide the nation’s farmers a dependable safety net, but given today’s tight budget outlook, the legislation must also be fiscally responsible. The best way to do that is to maintain the basic funding structure and baseline of the 2008 farm bill, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman told members of the Senate Agriculture Committee recently.
Stallman told the committee that an overriding farm bill priority for Farm Bureau is to maintain balance and benefits for all farm sectors.
“It can be tempting for a single interest organization to say Congress should allocate more funding for programs that benefit only its producers without worrying about the impact of that funding shift on other commodities,” Stallman said. “Farm Bureau does not have that luxury and will seek balance for all producers.”
Small Meat Processors Endangered by New Regulatory Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C., Small and independent meat processors are at significant economic risk due to increased regulatory costs included in a preliminary draft guidance document issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. That document spells out new and costly requirements for local meat processors under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems Validation proposal.
In a letter to the FSIS, Farm Bureau stated that many of its members who raise livestock, “rely on small and independent meat processors” to process meat they raise for their own consumption. In addition, local meat processors offer farmers and ranchers “opportunities to create specialty and value-added products marketed through niche outlets.”