|
Current Issues
|
| ASA TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
FOR 2009 ASA submitted its top
2009 policy priorities to the Obama Administration. By developing and
advocating soybean farmer top policy priorities to the Administration, ASA
continues its rich tradition of working in the best interest of U.S. soybean
farmers. LEARN MORE
|
| 2008
FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION
ASA applauded the passage
of the Farm Bill in 2008 and now urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to
implement the programs that are part of the bill in a timely manner. ASA
will work with other agricultural organizations to ensure favorable
regulations for the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. ASA will
also look to ensure favorable regulations for biodiesel payments under the
Bioenergy Program that pays on all gallons of biodiesel, not just
incremental production above the previous year.
LEARN MORE
|
|
BIODIESEL
ASA supports a long-term extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. The
biodiesel tax incentive was created as part of the American Jobs Creation
Act of 2004. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended it through December 31,
2008. With the support of ASA members, the financial rescue passage, in
which the biodiesel legislation was included, was passed, extending the tax
incentive through December 31, 2009.
LEARN MORE |
|
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010
ASA is seeking help from USDA to secure
permanent funding for the soybean rust early warning and management system
known as ipmPIPE. ASA supports full authorized funding for market
development and export promotion programs like the Foreign Market
Development program and the Market Access Program. ASA supports funding for Food
Assistance Programs, like the Dole-McGovern Food for Education Program and
supports full authorized funding for USDA's Environmental Quality Incentive
Program (EQIP) and Conservation Security Program (CSP).
LEARN MORE
|
|
CLIMATE CHANGE
ASA strongly believes that
any climate change or greenhouse gas emissions framework should take a
voluntary, non-regulatory approach toward agriculture. When legislation on
climate change is proposed, ASA will look to ensure that agriculture is not
negatively impacted and that the legislation will work to optimize
opportunities for farmers to expand their markets and provide carbon offset
credits. LEARN MORE
|
|
FOOD AID
ASA supports all U.S. food aid programs, and
opposes replacing U.S. food aid with cash donations. ASA supports USAID
Title II funding at not less than $2.0 billion, Food for Progress at not
less than $200 million, and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program at
not less than $300 million. ASA supports increasing funding for emergency
food assistance as necessary. ASA opposes reductions in development food aid
to offset shortfalls in emergency funding. LEARN MORE
|
|
AQUACULTURE
ASA supports
enactment of offshore aquaculture legislation that will create a permitting
and regulatory system leading to development of a domestic offshore
aquaculture industry. U.S. regulatory framework is needed for this new
source of demand for U.S. soybean meal. ASA supports research on plant-based
feeds to position soy as the economically viable and environmentally
friendlier alternative to fish meal and fish oil.
LEARN MORE
|
|
BIOBASED PRODUCTS
ASA encourages the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to continue its efforts, including the labeling program and
appropriate verification of claims, as well as other efforts to expand on
the opportunities for the young U.S. biobased industry to grow and reach its
full potential. LEARN MORE
|
|
TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
Funding is needed for the
construction and renovation of locks and dams on U.S. waterways. ASA urged
members of the House to support $2 billion in funding for lock and dam
upgrades that is included in an economic stimulus bill that is being
developed. ASA strongly supports the effort to upgrade existing locks and
dams and construct new ones to improve transportation on the Mississippi and
Illinois River system. Funding for locks and dams would create jobs, improve
transportation of agricultural and other commodities, improve the
environment and boost the economy. LEARN MORE
|
|
BILATERAL TRADE
ASA supports efforts to expand trade through
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with provide the U.S. equal or better access to
foreign markets than countries grant to U.S. competitors. ASA supports
negotiation of FTAs that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers for all
soybean products, and provide fair and meaningful access for pork and
poultry products. LEARN MORE
|
|
PROMOTION OF SOYFOODS
Each year, the American Soybean Association
brings together Members of Congress, their staff, government officials and
farmer leaders at a luncheon featuring a wide variety of tasty soyfoods and
beverages. The annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill provides
a unique opportunity for the U.S. soybean industry to showcase a taste of
the ever-expanding selection of fabulous soyfoods and beverages available
today. LEARN MORE
|
|
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ASA has grave concerns about the draft
standard for sustainable agriculture, published as part of the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards setting process. The draft
standard specifies that only organic and non-biotech production can qualify
as "sustainable" production, effectively restricting eligibility to the 0.2
percent of commercial soybean acreage that is currently considerd organic.
LEARN MORE
|
|
TRADE POLICY AND THE WTO
ASA supports negotiation of trade agreements
that significantly improve access to foreign markets for U.S. soy and
livestock products. ASA opposes legislation or other measures that are
protectionist, and that encourage U.S. trading partners to take similar
actions. ASA supports aggressive enforcement of existing agreements when
importing countries create non-tariff trade barriers, including sanitary and
phytosanitary measures, which are not justified by sound science.
LEARN MORE |