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Priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill
In mid-November, Congress and the President approved a package that contained three appropriations bills for FY2012. This legislation provided full funding for the Market Access Program (MAP), as authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, through September 30, 2012. With the MAP being WUSATA’s source of funding, we would like to thank everyone who reached out to their congressional representatives in support of the MAP during this process. Looking to the future, the upcoming fiscal cycle will start a new debate surrounding the legislation’s renewal. To highlight how important the
2012 Farm Bill is and will be to our country and economy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently discussed the topic in a speech given in Iowa to local John Deere workers. WUSATA® encourages all food and agriculture businesses to pay close attention to this process to help educate their communities on its significance.
(Excerpts from “Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill” – October 24, 2011. Remarks as delivered.)
“…Think bigger than the words ‘Farm Bill’ suggest. After all, for decades this bill has been about a whole lot more than just farming. It’s been about energy, it’s been about nutrition, it’s been about jobs. Now, some may keep calling it the Farm Bill out of convenience, or maybe even out of tradition; but I think we’re doing it a disservice.”
“If we want this legislation to have the support of the other 98 percent of Americans who don’t farm, we’ve got to remind those Americans why this legislation matters to them and to their families.”
“Now, first of all, I want to acknowledge that there are considerable external pressures that will affect this effort. Fiscal and political realities about the size of our debt and the deficit have inspired a very tight budget environment.”
“We have to simplify existing programs; we need to reduce redundant provisions; and we need to put a premium on creating innovative solutions to address our current and future problems, also recognizing the importance of making targeted investments to keep agricultural productivity high and our rural communities vibrant. So today I want to offer some thoughts on those priorities.”
“Let me begin with our responsibility to strengthen American agriculture. Many folks don’t realize this, but American farmers and our agricultural industries contribute in no small way to the economic health and strength of our great country.”
“Agriculture is responsible for one out of every twelve jobs in our economy…(and) Americans spend, on average, about 6 to 7 cents out of every dollar they earn on food. This is far less than families around the world. It gives us the freedom and the flexibility to spend or invest in other parts of the economy. And today I’m proud to say that agriculture is a bright spot in the American economy.”
“…promoting our agricultural productivity and protecting our farms obviously involves promoting strong markets. Now, as Congress works on this bill, they should recognize we need vibrant, fair, and diverse markets at home and abroad for our farmers, ranchers, and producers of all types and all sizes.”
“USDA has expanded markets for American goods abroad for decades, working aggressively to break down trade barriers with our global partners. At home we’re reaching out to producers and enterprises of all sizes with information about how they can get into the export game, how they may be able to export their goods, and how they can make the financing to make it work. And these efforts have had a real impact.”
“Over the past five years, U.S. agricultural producers have doubled the total value of their exports; and this year will be the best year we’ve ever had for American exports. They’ll top $137 billion, $20 billion more than last year. This will allow us to have a record trade surplus in agricultural production and products of $42 billion; and this will support, as importantly, nearly a million jobs.”
“Just last week, to help build on this success story, President Obama signed trade deals with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. And this is going to add an additional $2.3 billion of agricultural exports for a range of products.”
“Every additional billion dollars of agricultural sales helps to generate 8400 jobs at home. So it not only helps improve the bottom lines for farmers and ranchers, but it also puts people to work. Congress can continue this success story and build on it with continued investments in USDA’s trade promotion programs, which studies have shown return a -- $31 for every dollar we invest
return on investment.”
“Frankly, folks, the American brand of agriculture is the envy of the world. We need to make sure that it always remains that way. Now, at the same time we look to expand opportunities here at home for producers, we also have to look at folks and opportunities for ways in which producers can access local and regional markets.”
“Now…I believe very, very strongly, as I stand here today, in a bright future for American agriculture... In fact, for American agriculture, it’s as bright as it can be. That’s why this farm, food, jobs bill -- whatever you’d like to call it -- has got to build on the agricultural economy that we have today.”
For more information and the full speech, visit http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=NEWSROOM.
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