The American Soybean Association (ASA) joined other farm organizations today at a press conference in Washington, D.C., to express strong opposition to any amendments to the 2002 Farm Bill. ASA First Vice President Ron Heck, a soybean producer from Perry, Iowa, spoke at the press conference about the need to maintain the spending allocations as outlined in the new Farm Bill.

"After two years of uncertainty over new farm legislation, and historically low prices, farmers now need stability to make long-term plans for their operations and their families," Heck said. "The last thing we need is for congress to reopen the 2002 act and start reducing or modifying our safety net."

ASA was a strong supporter of provisions outside the commodity title of the 2002 Act that benefit U.S. soybean producers. These include increased tonnages under various food aid programs, and higher funding for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program and Market Access Program (MAP). ASA also supported the expanded scope of conservation initiatives, including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the conservation security program for working lands. In addition, ASA expects soybeans to benefit from provisions of the energy title of the bill, including incentives for increased use of biodiesel and other soy-based bioproducts.

"ASA is opposed to reducing spending in the Farm Bill to fund other programs, including disaster assistance," Heck said. "ASA joins other farm groups in strongly opposing amendments to the 2002 Farm Bill."