Notes from the MN Farmers Union 2-5-10
Notes from the MN Farmers Union Friday, February 5th, 2010
MFU sets Legislative priorities
With grassroots input from its farmer-membership, MFU has set priorities for the 2010 legislative session. They include: protecting agricultural portions of the state budget, addressing property tax concerns, and promoting energy legislation. The 2010 legislative session begins Thursday February 4. "This legislative session will be about the state's budget shortfalls and how we improve the economy and create jobs", said Doug Peterson, MFU President. "MFU will be working with our farmers to ensure that rural Minnesota is represented in those discussions." Agriculture makes up a very small part of the states $36 billion budget, yet agriculture makes up somewhere between 20-30% of the jobs and wealth in Minnesota. MFU will work to make sure that cuts the state needs to make to address the over $1 billion budget deficit does not do undo harm to rural Minnesota and the farming sector. MFU will also work to ensure sound funding for food safety, energy, livestock, sustainable and organic programs, and continue our work toward eliminating bovine tuberculosis from Minnesota. MFU also will continue to work on the Green Acres property tax program which saw more changes last year and continues to have issues that need to be addressed. In addition, some parts of the state have seen extreme increases in the market value of agricultural land, and MFU is working on addressing ways to stabilize values for farmland. Three energy issues are also on the plate for MFU this year, including: working to increase property owner rights regarding eminent domain for power line and pipeline projects; addressing issues with wind easement contracts; and working on the state net metering law to foster the growth of more on-farm energy projects.
MFU Lobby Day in St. Paul Wed. Feb. 24th
Please consider joining MFU for the "MFU Lobby Day" on Wed. Feb. 24th, 2010. We will begin the day at 10:00 a.m. in room 300 south of the State Office Building with a greeting from MFU President Doug Peterson, and then members and staff will spend the day meeting with legislators, attending committee hearings and also meeting with other elected officials. The day usually ends about 3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for MFU members to connect with their legislators and also help MFU make our presence felt at the capitol. Members who have questions about the lobby day or to RSVP contact Tim Schloe at thim@mfu.org or 651-639-1223, MFU will be offering van rides from some areas, will provide free parking for members that drive in, and be arranging car pools.
MFU opposes Southern Rail Corridor
Last week, MFU submitted written testimony to the legislature opposing using state bonding dollars for the proposed "Southern Rail Corridor" which would move rail tracks out of Rochester and create a 48 mile bypass in farm country. The Governor had included $2.8 million for the project in his bonding proposal, the House and Senate did not include the proposal in their bills which were released yesterday. Rep. Greg Davids spoke on behalf of farm concerns in the House hearing held last week and Rep. Andy Welti has announced his opposition to the plan.
USDA announces animal tracing framework
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced yesterday that USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities. The framework, announced today at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Mid-Year meeting, provides the basic tenets of an improved animal disease traceability capability in the United States. USDA's efforts will:
-Only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce;
-Be administered by the States and Tribal Nations to provide more flexibility;
-Encourage the use of lower-cost technology; and
-Be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rulemaking process.
More information on USDA's new direction on animal traceability and the steps to improve disease prevention and control is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability.
Obama releases budget proposal
|
NFU on Obama's proposed budget
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson made the following statements on the proposed fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget released Monday. "NFU understands the nation is faced with a difficult financial situation and we commend the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for increases in important programs in its proposed budget. However, the cut in crop insurance at $8 billion over 10 years comes as a disappointment, as crop insurance is part of the vital safety net for farmers and ranchers providing a safe and secure food supply. "Increased funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service will help USDA maintain a safe food supply and implement the interstate shipment of state-inspected meat, as intended by Congress. "NFU supports the funding for technology in the Farm Service Agency offices, allowing the agency to upgrade its systems. "NFU will continue to work with the president and Congress to ensure the interests of producers are prioritized and represented in the final budget."
NFU urges USDA to maintain Crop Insurance Funding
Recently, NFU President Roger Johnson submitted a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack expressing concern regarding potential cuts to the Federal Crop Insurance Program in the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget. "The crop insurance program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency provides a critical component of the farm safety net," said Johnson. "In making annual planting decisions, producers rely upon crop insurance products to maintain stability and assurances in the event of reduced yield from natural disasters." While Congress provided significant funding to the federal crop insurance program through the 2008 farm bill, Administrative and Operating reimbursement was reduced by 2.3 percent and program outlays were reduced by $3.9 billion over five years. As the current administration considers programs for budgetary savings, NFU emphasizes that cuts should not be made to programs that are critical to the operation of agricultural producers. NFU is further concerned that any such cuts will result in a reduction to the overall farm bill baseline, an action that would have consequences in both the near and long term.
MFU sends letter to Congressional delegation
MFU has also sent letters to the Minnesota Congressional delegation this week urging them to not support cutting crop insurance further, stating also that Minnesota has seen considerable burden due to extreme weather conditions the past couple of years.
NFU President talking sugar on CNBC
NFU President Roger Johnson appeared on CNBC this week to discuss the sugar industry. I think he does a great job, check it out, follow the link for the story it is after a short commercial. http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1403833108&play=1
RFS II proposed rules released
This week the EPA has finalized a rule implementing the long-term renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022 established by Congress. The Renewable Fuels Standard requires biofuels production to grow from last year's 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion gallons in 2022, with 21 billion gallons to come from advanced biofuels. Increasing renewable fuels will reduce dependence on oil by more than 328 million barrels a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 138 million metric tons a year when fully phased in by 2022. For the first time, some renewable fuels must achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions - compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace - in order to be counted towards compliance with volume standards. To read the rule: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm
NFU Statement on RFS II
NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statements on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) regulations announced Wednesday. "NFU appreciates the hard work the Obama Administration has put into crafting the final RFS rule in a way that will continue our path towards greater energy independence while creating economic opportunities in rural America. "We appreciate EPA's refinements to its analysis of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for corn ethanol after conferring with USDA and interested parties to better recognize corn ethanol's benefit to reducing global warming. "That said we remain concerned that the RFS continues to place significant emphasis on the unsettled science surrounding the causes of emissions from indirect land use changes.
"The EPA continues to reassess lifecycle estimates, including indirect land-use, and acknowledges that scientific knowledge continues to evolve in this area. "It is unfortunate that farmers trying to be part of a domestic energy solution will be penalized for land use changes in other countries on which we can only offer estimates." NFU has been engaged throughout the development of the RFS, submitting comments to EPA in September. NFU continues to seek federal policies that expand production of biofuels and provides opportunity for American farmers.
Growth Energy CEO Buis reacts to RFS II
Here is a link to a good video of former NFU President Tom Buis and current CEO of Growth Energy talking about the RFS II, check it out: Buis video
Antibiotics issue heating up
MFU met this week with representatives of groups that are working to support legislation known as PAMTA which concerns antibiotics and livestock. MFU policy support "moving away from feed-grade antibiotics". The issue is heating up quite a bit and MFU will be visiting with members about the issue as it progresses. You can see more info on PAMTA here from the Union of Concern Scientists (keep in mind this is one side of the argument): http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/solutions/wise_antibiotics/pamta.html
2009 MFU Year in Review Video
The 2009 MFU Year in Review Video that was shown at our 2009 State Convention is now on the MFU YouTube channel, check it out as well as other MFU videos at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxLHxHdMECw
Upcoming MFU meetings
Today the Olmstead, Goodhue, Fillmore, and Wabasha County Farmers Union will hold a joint legislative briefing at 2:30 p.m. at the Zumbro Falls Golf Course near Zumbro Falls, I will attend and give an update on legislative issues. Feb. 16th the Rock County Farmers Union will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch in Luverne, and the Aitkin County Farmers Union will meet that day at 7:00 at Roger and Markell Vogt's Home near Palisade.
Bill Introductions of note
Juhnke introduced:
H. F. 2678, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; appropriating money for livestock investment grants.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Juhnke introduced:
H. F. 2726, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; authorizing family agricultural revitalization zones (FARMZ); promoting value-added processing agricultural products; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 469.310, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 469.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.
Norton introduced:
H. F. 2544, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for the Southern Rail Corridor project; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Senators Prettner Solon, Doll, Scheid and Rosen introduced-
S.F. No. 2254: A bill for an act relating to communications; setting state goals for the deployment and speed of high-speed broadband; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 237. Referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications.
Finally.....
MFU President Doug Peterson is announcing the retirement of long-time MFU Office Manager Vivian Smith. She has been with MFU since 1981! Her retirement is effective April 15th of this year. MFU President urges members to join him in thanking Vivian and wishing her well, you can leave her a message at office@mfu.org .
That is all for now, as usual, questions, comments and complaints to me!
Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, MN Farmers Union