After a successful 2016, ASA is eager to continue working with President Trump, his Administration and the 115th Congress to further soybean farmer priorities. As ASA prepares to pursue a progressive policy agenda in 2017, as laid out by the voting delegates in San Antonio, we are also excited to celebrate the work ASA has done over the past few months. From stressing the importance of agricultural trade, to celebrating the likely rollback of WOTUS, ASA has been active on Capitol Hill and looks forward to remaining so in the upcoming months.
–Stephen Censky, ASA CEO
ASA Establishes Policy Resolutions for 2017- Progressive policies for a strong farm safety net, increased funding for agricultural export programs, ambitious global trade negotiations, aggressive support for biodiesel policies and robust funding for agricultural research and conservation programs will guide the American Soybean Association in 2017.
Soy Growers: Water Regulation Must Focus on the Farmer as Environmentalist- The American Soybean Association applauds a directive issued by President Donald Trump instructing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to begin the process of rolling back the controversial Clean Water Rule, also known as the Waters of the United States rule. ASA believes that farmers can be a productive voice in the discussion over water regulation, and looks for a seat at the table because, as farmers, our primary goals are the healthy soils and clean water that sustain us from growing season to growing season.
Soy Growers Encourage President Trump to Prioritize Rural Infrastructure- The American Soybean Association, along with 17 state affiliates, signed on to a rural infrastructure coalition letter to President Donald Trump, encouraging him to prioritize the rebuilding of infrastructure in rural America. The letter highlighted that rural infrastructure is deteriorating, jeopardizing jobs, our agricultural competitiveness and the health of rural families, and past infrastructure initiatives have often focused on urban and suburban infrastructure, while not adequately addressing the unique needs of rural communities.
Heinen Puts Soybean Farm Bill Roadmap on Record at Senate Ag Field Hearing- The American Soybean Association laid out its initial approach to the upcoming farm bill negotiations in a hearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Manhattan, Kan. Testifying on behalf of ASA, Kansas Soybean Association President Lucas Heinen pointed to the state of the farm economy as the most compelling signal of the need for a robust risk management framework in the farm bill. Citing falling prices for soybeans and the reduced cost of the 2014 Farm Bill as compared to original estimates, Heinen noted that ASA will push to fund farm bill programs at the level needed to adequately address each program’s needs, even if that means increasing overall farm bill funding.
ASA, Farm Groups Stress Importance of Trade in Asia-Pacific Region- In a letter to President Donald Trump, the American Soybean Association, along with 87 other agriculture groups, called on the Administration to reduce and eliminate tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region, allowing American workers to supply Asian markets with high-quality food and agricultural products. The letter stressed job creation in the U.S. farm sector as a result of international trade, noting that the food and agricultural industry from farm to fork employs more than 15 million Americans, and the food and beverage industry alone represents 12 percent of all U.S. manufacturing jobs.
Soy Growers, Soyfoods Association Defend Soymilk, Oppose Dairy Pride Act- In a letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee members, and House Energy and Commerce Committee members the American Soybean Association and the Soyfoods Association of North America objected to proposed legislation that would restrict the marketing of soymilk. S. 130 and H.R. 778, referred to as the Dairy Pride Act, would prohibit the term “milk” from being used with soymilk and soymilk-based products, under the premise that the term “milk” is misleading to consumers. ASA strongly disputes this claim.
Soy Growers Urge Prudence on NAFTA Renegotiation- The American Soybean Association has communicated to the White House that the significant trade benefits U.S. farmers have achieved under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) must be protected as President Donald Trump moves forward with plans to renegotiate the agreement. ASA highlighted that for the last 20 years, NAFTA has been a core component in the growth of soybeans as a positive contributor to the U.S. balance of trade.
ASA Registers Significant Concern Following Withdrawal from TPP- The nation’s soybean farmers expressed significant concern following an Executive Order from President Donald Trump that withdrew the United States from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). American Soybean Association President Ron Moore pointed out the high stakes for soybean farmers, and urged the Trump Administration to immediately announce how it intends to engage and expand market access in the Asia-Pacific region.
ASA: Proposed Rule on Biotech a Progressive Step for Plant Breeding Innovation- The American Soybean Association responded positively to a notice of proposed rulemaking from USDA on the regulatory framework for plant breeding innovation. ASA welcomed the proposed rule, which continues to require pre-market approval by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of plants derived through transgenic biotechnology while excluding products from new breeding innovations, such as gene editing.
ASA Tells EPA that Glyphosate is Instrumental on Farms– Former ASA Governing Committee member Kevin Hoyer provided public comments on behalf of the American Soybean Association in front of an Environmental Protection Agency Scientific Advisory Panel regarding EPA’s evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate. Hoyer noted how glyphosate has been instrumental in conservation practices and urged the Agency to conduct a timely and science-based review of glyphosate that takes into account the decades of research demonstrating the safety of the herbicide and its important benefits to agriculture sustainability.
