Soy Policy (2003)

Listed below are ASA's priority policy issues for 2003. Each section is linked to a page that contains additional information and details about that issue. 

Topics include Agriculture and the Federal Budget, Soy Protein, Long Term Competitiveness, Biotechnology, Biodiesel and International Trade. 

These are the issues that ASA and state soybean leaders discussed with their Congressional representatives during Hill visits on Tuesday, April 1, 2003. 

Download 18 page (44 KB) PDF file of 2003 issues and priorities.

AGRICULTURE AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET

· Oppose proposed cuts in spending on agriculture programs in the FY-2004 Budget Resolution, or reopening the 2002 Farm Bill.

· Restore full funding for the Conservation Security Program, but not at the expense of other agriculture programs.

Learn more. See ASA's Position on Agriculture and the Federal Budget, Disaster Assistance, Conservation and Climate Change.

SOY PROTEIN

· Include soymilk in the definition of fluid milk for the school lunch program and other federal feeding programs included in this year’s reauthorization of child nutrition programs.

· Earmark part of the President’s request for $15 billion in HIV/AIDS spending for improved nutrition and increased soy protein in the diets of targeted populations.

Learn more. See ASA's Position on Soy Milk in Child Nutrition and HIV/AIDS programs. 

LONG TERM COMPETITIVENESS

· Urge Congress to authorize modernization of locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers in the Water Resources Development Act, and provide funds to initiate this project in FY-2004 and FY-2005 appropriations.

· Provide appropriations to fund soybean research priorities in FY-2004:

1. Improve the composition of the soybean through the Better Bean Initiative.

2. Support investment of $10-15 million for the Legume Crops Genomics Initiative.

3. Restore funding for USDA soybean research projects terminated in the President’s Budget.

Learn more. See ASA's Position on Transportation & Infrastructure and Soybean Research Priorities. 

Growers Needed at Corps Meetings on River Transportation

ASA Urges Grower Participation In Corps Of Engineers Public Meetings Next month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to release a set of alternative plans designed to improve navigation and the ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi River System. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on these alternatives at any of the seven public meetings the Corps has organized for this purpose. Meetings are scheduled for:

ASA will have a display at each event, highlighting the river's importance to soybean farmers. It is imperative that soybean farmers attend and speak at these meetings. Those wishing to participate in the meetings are encouraged to coordinate with ASA Special Assistant to the CEO Neil Caskey, who will prepare talking points containing the key messages that need to be communicated to the Corps. “You can bet that those opposed to lock modernization will show up in large numbers,” Caskey said. “Don't let these obstructionists drown out our message that river improvements are absolutely vital to the long-term competitiveness of soybean farmers. Show up at these hearings and let your voices be heard.” Contact Caskey at 1-800-688-7692.

Can't attend one of these meetings? How about sending a letter to your state and local government agencies asking for their support. In the five states adjoining the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri). For all other states except those five listed above. 

See ASA Talking Points for more information. 

See "Moving America’s Harvest by Barge" for more information. 

BIOTECHNOLOGY

· Urge the Administration to confront EU plans to require impractical traceability and labeling of food and feed products containing biotech ingredients, as well as the five-year EU moratorium on approving new biotech crops.

· Urge the Administration to challenge illegal use of RoundUp Ready soybeans by Brazilian farmers, who are not paying royalties or technology fees.

Learn more. See ASA's Position on Biotech Competitiveness.

Read more about ASA's efforts to stop the piracy of RRSB seed in Brazil. 

ASA Growers Guide: Understanding the WTO Dispute Settlement Process

Gazeta Mercantil (Brazil's leading financial daily newspaper) reports: Increase of Transgenics in the South Region [of Brazil] 

BIODIESEL

AgDay Television Feature  for Friday, November 21,2003 ASA/NBB Biodiesel Press Conference

· Enact the tax incentive provided in S.355 and H.R. 1279 to make biodiesel blends competitive with diesel in transportation fuel markets. This provision could be included in another energy bill, in the TEA-21 transportation legislation, or in other revenue legislation.

· Support establishment of a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that includes biodiesel as an eligible fuel.

· Urge White House and USDA officials to announce regulations for the CCC Bioenergy program that continue reimbursement of soybeans to biodiesel producers and make the program retroactive to the beginning of FY-2003.

Learn more. See ASA's Position on Biodiesel.

View Updated Biodiesel Talking Points

Soybean farmers can reach their Representatives and Senators in Washington, D.C. by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or by logging onto ASA's Legislative Action Center to quickly e-mail prepared letters in support of biodiesel legislation. Should you have any questions regarding this important request, please contact the ASA at 1-800-688-7692.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

· Urge the Administration to resolve Russia’s ban on poultry imports as soon as possible.

· Support significant agricultural trade liberalization in the Doha negotiations, including substantial improvement in market access, elimination of export subsidies, and harmonized reductions in trade-distorting domestic support programs.

· Raise concern that the proposed Harbinson "modalities" text is seriously flawed:

1. Does not require sufficient tariff reductions, particularly by developing countries.

2. Does not achieve the goal of harmonizing U.S. and EU trade-distorting domestic support.

3. Allows developing countries to provide unlimited farm supports and assistance for agricultural transportation, marketing, credit, risk management, etc.

Learn more. See ASA's Position on WTO Trade Negotiations  and a Resolution of Russia's Poultry Ban.