Union Board Calls on Administration to Strengthen Ag Markets

US - In a pair of unanimously approved resolutions, the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors called on the administration and Congress to address mounting financial difficulties that have been exacerbated by recent policy decisions.
calendar icon 10 September 2019
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Specifically, they urged the resolution of ongoing trade disputes, the enforcement of the Renewable Fuel Standard, (RFS), and the strengthening of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) before final passage.

By most metrics, the farm economy is in a slump, and it has been for six years now. The farmer’s share of the consumer food dollar is at an all-time low. Prices for many commodities are below the cost of production. Farm debt is at its highest level in almost 40 years. And median farm income has been negative since 2014.

Recent actions by this administration have added to family farmers’ and ranchers’ troubles. An international trade war has eroded international markets, while the undermining of biofuels programmes has harmed domestic markets. Both have added to the oversupply of many American farm products and depressed prices even further.

In order to relieve these unnecessary market pressures, the Board compelled the administration to end its "erratic and destructive actions", work to rebuild international and domestic markets, restore America’s reputation as a reliable trading partner, and reverse policies that have undermined the Renewable Fuels Standard.

"Until these actions are corrected and the markets rebound," the resolution reads, "we urge the administration to work with Congress to fundamentally reform and significantly strengthen the existing farm safety net."

Though USMCA makes some progress towards rebuilding international markets, it requires further improvements before final ratification, per the second resolution.

To provide needed protections to American family farmers and ranchers, the agreement should strengthen labor, environment, and enforcement provisions; rectify language related to prescription drugs; strengthen anti-dumping protections for agricultural goods; and re-establish Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) authority.

"USMCA must meet these standards—currently it falls short," the resolution states. Because negotiations are still in progress, NFU’s Board is withholding conclusive judgement until the final agreement is released.

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