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Illinois Farmers Color Ag Policies

Posted on: Sunday, 29 January 2006, 21:00 CST

By Chris Anderson

BLOOMINGTON - Illinois farmers could leave a noticeable mark on the 2007 farm bill now that their policies have been adopted by American Farm Bureau Federation delegates.

Concluding their annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, AFBF delegates adopted Illinois Farm Bureau policy regarding the new farm bill. AFBF lobbyists will use the policy to direct Congress on the bill's content.

The new AFBF policy incorporated IFB language which calls for extension of current farm bill concepts, but pays attention to meeting forthcoming World Trade Organization tariff and subsidy reduction edicts. However, delegates agreed that a government safety net in the form of revenue assurance is needed to keep farmers financially viable.

"Delegates clearly support the 2002 (current) farm bill. They adopted our recommendation to establish a revenue-based safety net that would be WTO-compliant," said Chuck Spencer, IFB national policy director. "In a short crop year, you cannot collect loan deficiency payments on bushels that you don't raise. That's another reason to support revenue-based policy."

AFBF delegates also followed Illinois' lead by favoring a mandatory animal identification program. The ultimate goal of the current voluntary program aims to trace back animals within 48 hours if a disease breaks out.

Spencer said AFBF delegates agreed with Illinois members that the program will build consumer confidence in the nation's food supply. Delegates further said they want nonprofit groups or livestock organizations to control the ID program. They do not want a private business overseeing the program because of confidentiality concerns.

John Clifford, U.S. Department of Agriculture chief veterinarian, told delegates the agency wants to explore linking a network of private and state-operated animal tracking databases into the national animal ID system. Clifford said the approach would allow USDA to tap into existing databases. Only state health officials would be able to access the database.

Delegates retained long-held policy seeking permanent repeal of the federal estate tax. Until that happens, they'd like to see the current $2 million exemption for farmers jump to $10 million. Increasing capital and land costs have boosted farmers' asset holdings significantly.

Repeated delegate concerns about increasing costs, especially for fuel and fertilizer, prompted AFBF President Bob Stallman of Texas to appoint a six-member input cost review panel. Members will identify ways to reduce costs and identify financial planning or risk management tools to maximize returns. The panel will report to the AFBF board in March.

Delegates further took Illinois members' suggestion to complete an in-depth study on the national effect of tax exchanges on land prices. The 1031 exchanges allow a land seller to buy similar land to avoid paying capital gains taxes.

"I think actually where we ended up at the end of the day, I was very pleased," said Philip Nelson, IFB president, who was re- elected to a two-year term on the AFBF Board. "A lot of the concepts we brought forward out of our farm policy task force and delegate debate were imbedded in the final policy."

Source: Pantagraph

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