Tag: GMO labeling

Election Year Activities Heat Up in the Hoosier State

On By Kyle ClineIn AFBF, Ag PolicyLeave a comment

Following a successful 306-117 vote last week in the U.S. House on the Farm Bureau-supported GMO labeling bill, Congress adjourned for its annual August Recess.  Given this is an election year, lawmakers will have more time at home than normal to allow for their attendance at the national party conventions.

Last week was a big week in politics for Indiana, as Governor Mike Pence was selected as Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, which was formally confirmed this week at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.  Another big announcement was that former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh was returning to politics to seek the open Senate seat being vacated by Senator Dan Coats, which resulted in Baron Hill’s exit as the Democratic Party candidate. These developments also triggered a series of announcements by others, such as Congressman Todd Rokita and Congresswoman Susan Brooks each declaring their intent to run for the vacated governor’s seat.  Their fate will be determined by a 22 person state committee of Republican leaders who will meet next week to decide who the gubernatorial candidate will be.

With the eyes of the nation squarely on election year activities and developments, the American Farm Bureau Federation has developed an Election ‘16 website with resources and information on the upcoming November elections.  The website “gives rural voters an informative look at everything from the campaign for president to local issues.”  Visitors to the website are able to select their state and receive relevant information.  While Indiana Farm Bureau does not make endorsements for president, we encourage members and rural residents to familiarize themselves with each candidate and their respective positions on the issues that impact rural Hoosiers the most.  The AFBF website is one resource that can be used in making an informed vote.

Congress Sends GMO Labeling Bill To President

On By Kyle ClineIn Ag PolicyLeave a comment

Last week, the U.S. House passed S. 764, the Roberts/Stabenow biotechnology food labeling bill, by a vote of 306-117.  The vote included 205 Republicans and 101 Democrats voting in the affirmative, including the entire Indiana Congressional Delegation with exception of Congressman Luke Messer.  The bill establishes federal pre-emption of state-by-state mandatory GMO labeling laws while providing consumers with information about their food that is balanced and accurate.

Indiana Farm Bureau supported the measure and thanks all members voting in favor of S. 764.  The House vote last week followed passage of the same bill in the Senate just a week prior and ended a nearly year-long negotiation and debate that included many starts and stops.  Both Senators Donnelly and Coats supported the measure.

See the previous blog post “Big Week Ahead for Biotech” for a brief summary of the legislation.

Big Week Ahead for Biotech

On By Kyle ClineIn Ag Policy, LobbyingLeave a comment

After months of negotiations, Senate leaders finally reached a historic deal in late June to set national labeling standards for foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients.

The agreement between Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts and ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow caps off a long and winding path of negotiations that included a series of starts and stops.  Farm Bureau is supporting the Roberts-Stabenow GMO food labeling compromise and is currently asking members to contact Congress to urge for the bill’s passage.

Below is a rundown of what the legislation would actually do:

  • The legislation would block Vermont’s GMO labeling law that took effect July 1, protecting interstate commerce. States would not be allowed to have labeling laws that differ from the federal standard.
  • It would require food companies to disclose biotech ingredients but provides one of three options for doing so: 1) a scannable code, such as the QR codes on labels that can be read by smartphones, 2) on-package symbol or 3) text on the package indicating the presence of biotechnology.
  • Small companies would be exempt from the labeling requirements.
  • Meat and dairy products also would be exempt from the disclosure standards. Eating biotech feed wouldn’t be enough to qualify as a biotech product.
  • Provides USDA the authority to determine what on-package disclosure will look like.
  • Includes a narrow and strong definition of biotechnology that protects future breeding technologies from being stigmatized as being GMO.
  • Establishes that a manufacturer cannot label a product as non-GMO simply because it is not subject to the bill’s labeling requirements.
  • Also establishes that products already qualified as certified organic will be able to market as non-GMO.
  • Saves the average consumer hundreds of dollars each year.

Time is limited for Congress to take action on the legislation prior to July 15, when both chambers are scheduled for an extended break due to party conventions and August Recess. However, the process for approval is already underway.  Last week, the Senate voted 68-29 on a procedural motion that initiates the process for floor action.  There will be one more procedural vote to “invoke cloture”  followed by final consideration and a vote on the bill, which may take place next Friday, July 8 according to sources.  Assuming everything goes as anticipated, the House is expected to take action on the legislation during the week of July 11.

 

Grassroots Advocacy in Action

On By Kyle ClineIn Member D.C. Trips1 Comment

Welcome!

I am Kyle Cline, your Hoosier on the Hill.  I’m excited to get this blog going and share my passion for public policy, government and all things agriculture.  I will be your host as we examine the issues and stories coming out of Washington, D.C. that impact American farmers and their rural communities.  In this first post, I highlight the annual Indiana Farm Bureau Leader Trip to Washington, D.C.

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Each year, Indiana Farm Bureau members descend on Capitol Hill for the annual Leader Trip to Washington, D.C.  This trip is a prime opportunity for INFB members to participate in leadership development, issue education and to engage in some good old fashioned grassroots advocacy, including visits with their federal elected officials.  This year, the Leader Trip took place March 22-24 and included participation from 56 members.

The agenda may change from year to year, but the Leader Trip always includes plenty of opportunities for education on Farm Bureau’s national priority issues.  On day 1, our members arrived bright and early in Washington, D.C. and were greeted by the colorful cherry blossoms which were on full display the entire week.  Our first stop was a visit to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Members learned about the latest legislative and regulatory updates on some of the most pressing agricultural issues including biotechnology and GMO labeling, regulatory reform, trade and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), farm policy and tax reform.  After hearing from INFB staff on advocacy “best practices” and planning their congressional visits for the next day, the Leader Trip participants set off on foot for the USDA, where the group heard from Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations Todd Batta, and Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini.  The discussions during this segment included international trade and TPP, farm policy, conservation and many other current issues.  Following the briefings, Leader Trip participants had an unexpected opportunity to tour USDA Secretary Vilsack’s office, which was possible because the secretary happened to be visiting Cuba with the president and other leaders.

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Day 2 of the Leader Trip was the official Capitol Hill Day.  Farm Bureau members took their new knowledge as well as their own unique perspectives and stories from their farms and communities and delivered a grassroots message to Congress about the importance of agriculture.  Members were organized in groups by congressional districts and had the opportunity to meet with their congressman/congresswoman to ask them for their support on Farm Bureau’s priority issues and legislation.

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Representatives Luke Messer and Susan Brooks even took a few minutes away from their busy schedules to talk to us about the importance of constituent involvement in the legislative process and how office visits in D.C. are helpful to their work.  Their message re-confirms the positive difference that Farm Bureau and its members are making everyday.

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In the afternoon, our group visited the Senate Agriculture Committee and heard from Chief Economist Matt Erickson and Chief Counsel Anne Hazlett, both Hoosiers making a big difference on Capitol Hill for agriculture.  Last but not least, the group met up with the Iowa Farm Bureau in the afternoon for a session on renewable fuels and the future of farm policy.  Iowa Farm Bureau members were in town for their own version of the Leader Trip.

On Day 3, our members grabbed their passports and went global by paying a visit to the Embassy of Japan.  As an important trading partner and key nation in the proposed TPP, a visit with Japan made perfect sense.  Much of the discussion with Japanese officials focused on TPP and the importance of ensuring passage by Congress before the end of the year.  Japan plans to consider TPP for a vote in their parliament likely sometime in early summer.  The discussion was a good reminder to our members about how important international trade is to their bottom lines and profitability on the farm.  In a time when farm incomes have dropped 56% since 2013, more trade and market access for our products will be needed to get out of the hard times.  In Indiana alone, AFBF estimates an increase in cash receipts by $196 million and net exports by $98.3 million annually.  The largest gains will be in the soybean, corn, pork and beef sectors.

Overall, the 2016 Leader Trip was a success.  It is inspiring to me and the rest of the INFB staff to see current and future Farm Bureau leaders taking ownership of their destiny as they become effective advocates for agriculture.  It is empowering to see the effects of grassroots advocacy in action and the difference Farm Bureau makes when a few of us come together around a common cause.