ASA Works in Support of House Ag Committee Vote to Lift Restrictions on Cuba ASA welcomed the July 1 vote by the House Agriculture Committee to expand U.S. agriculture exports and lift travel restrictions on Cuba. ASA favors a normal trading relationship with Cuba including direct banking and elimination of the cash in advance rule. ASA also supports the ability of U.S. cooperators to use Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program funds to promote U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba. ASA is working to bring this legislation to a vote as soon as possible in the full House and Senate.

House Passes Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension but Legislation Stalls in Senate On May 28, ASA expressed appreciation to the U.S. House of Representatives for passage of H.R. 4213, by a 215-204 margin. ASA lobbied for the provisions in H.R. 4213 that extend the biodiesel tax incentive through Dec. 31, 2010, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. However, several attempts by the Senate to pass a tax extenders package failed to get the 60 votes needed to proceed. ASA, along with the National Biodiesel Board, will be making every effort to revive the tax extenders bill or have the biodiesel tax credit included in any other measure that moves forward. Other potential vehicles include a small business job stimulus bill that may have tax credit components, legislation to address aspects of the Gulf oil spill, and a potential energy bill that could move in the Senate in late July.

ASA Farm Bill Working Group Begins to Address 2012 Farm Programs ASA is already gearing up for debate on a new Farm Bill with its establishment of a 2012 Farm Bill Working Group to develop policies key to the future of all U.S. soybean growers. ASA producer-leaders have met with House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) to discuss his plans for the 2012 Farm Bill, and at the end of June, ASA testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. ASA is looking for ways to make farm programs more efficient, effective, and defensible. Farm programs play an important role in underpinning the strength of the farm economy which, in turn, has supported the overall U.S. economy during the current recession. The importance of an effective safety net for farm income has grown as the rising cost of farm inputs has increasingly pressured farm profitability. Total agriculture spending for the farm income safety net, crop insurance, conservation and export programs -- not including food stamps and nutrition programs -- represents just one-half of one percent of Federal government spending.

ASA Submits Comments to USDA on Bioenergy Program ASA submitted detailed comments to USDA on the Proposed Rule for the Bioenergy Program. The program was included in the 2008 Farm Bill and funded at $300 million over four years, due to the efforts of ASA. The program is intended to provide assistance to biodiesel and other advanced biofuel producers. ASA’s comments focused on the need to remove the rural area and domestic ownership requirements, as well as the overall program structure and payment process.

ASA Welcomes Obama Administration Commitment to FTA with South Korea ASA is welcoming the Obama Administration’s commitment to remove remaining obstacles and secure Congressional approval of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). At the recent G-20 summit in Toronto, President Obama set November of this year as a deadline for removing outstanding obstacles to the implementation of the agreement and gaining Congressional approval of the deal in 2011. The free trade agreement with South Korea would provide landmark opportunities for U.S. soy, meat, and poultry exports. The KORUS FTA is one of three that are pending approval by Congress. Agreements with Colombia and Panama also have been awaiting action for more than three years. ASA is calling for action on all three FTAs, pointing out the enormous cost of letting other countries move forward first.

ASA Testifies on Importance of China Market to U.S. Soybean Exports ASA testified on June 22, about the importance of the China export market to U.S. soybean growers at a hearing of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Last year, the value of U.S. soybean exports to China reached a record $9.2 billion. Prospects for continued growth in Chinese soybean imports are excellent. However, like any trading relationship, issues arise from time to time that need to be addressed. ASA expressed concerns about a lack of understanding on inspection and quarantine standards, the requirement of a phytosanitary certificate for soybean oil imports, and policies regarding the approval of ag commodities derived through biotechnology.

ASA Submits Research Priorities at NIFA Workshop ASA submitted comments representing the interests of U.S. soybean farmers at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) April 13 workshop on stakeholder priorities in the area of Plant and Pest Biology. ASA identified some several key priorities including: translating the advances in plant biology to nutrition to address hunger and prevent disease; sustainable, economic supplies of energy; to improve plant resistance to environmental and biological stresses; and to increase the genetic potential for yield.

ASA Advises NRC that Soy Oil can Fulfill Demand for Food, Feed and Fuel ASA provided comments on May 3 to the National Research Council Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production. ASA told the Committee that biodiesel made from soybean oil can play a vital role in fulfilling the Renewable Fuel Standard without any adverse impacts to the food or feed markets. As people around the world improve their standard of living, they want more animal protein in their diet. Increased meat consumption, particularly poultry and pork, has increased demand for soy meal, while simultaneously increasing the amount of surplus soy oil on the market.