Page 68 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

2.5. Provide strong and effective safety net/risk management programs that do not guarantee a profit, but instead protects producers from catastrophic occurrences while minimizing the potential for farm programs affecting production decisions;
2.6. Is compliant with the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements; and
2.7. Reduce complexity while allowing producers increased flexibility to plant in response to market demand.
3. We oppose:
3.1.1. New mandatory government supply management programs
and acreage reduction programs, excluding the Conservation Reserve Program and conservation easements, for marketing loan commodities under the current farm program;
3.1.2. A farmer-owned reserve or any federally controlled grain reserve with the exception of the existing, capped emergency commodity reserve;
3.1.3. Income means testing. However, if such programs are implemented, they must be based on net income rather than gross income;
3.1.4. Payment limitations; and
3.1.5. Targeting of benefits being applied to farm program payment
eligibility.
4. U.S. policies affecting agriculture should be designed to:
4.1. Ensure that U.S. consumers have access to a stable, ample, safe and nutritious food supply;
4.2. Minimize domestic and world hunger and nutrition deficiencies;
4.3. Create and sustain a long-term, competitive and profitable
agricultural industry;
4.4. Reduce regulatory burdens on farmers and ranchers;
4.5. Provide a tax structure that is fair and equitable to present and future
generations of farmers;
4.6. Continue to improve the environment through expanded incentives
to encourage voluntary soil conservation, water and air quality programs, and advanced technological and biotechnological procedures that are based on sound science and are economically feasible;
4.7. Enhance U.S. agriculture's access and competitiveness in the world market;
4.8. Improve the quality of rural life and increase rural economic development;
4.9. Improve Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) to decrease county yield disparity;
4.10.Prioritizing Risk Management Agency (RMA) yield data being
as the primary source of yield data for NASS surveys and future government programs similar to ARC-County as long as RMA data at the farm level is protected from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA);
4.11.Compensate farmers for their positive impact on habitat, wildlife and the environment;
4.12.Recognize the regional and commodity based differences that exist in U.S. production agriculture and provide programs that meet these needs, while recognizing the need to be internationally competitive; and
4.13.Be implemented in a way that minimizes the negative effects on non-program crops and livestock production and ensure that accepted conservation practices such as cover crops do not impact compliance or payment eligibility. Statements of support for individual commodity programs and provisions shall adhere to these general principles of farm programs, regulatory, international trade, and tax provisions.
5. Improving net farm income, enhancing the economic opportunity for farmers, preserving property rights and conserving the environment are our most important goals.
6. We should undertake a comprehensive effort to assure U.S. producer competitiveness. Competitiveness issues should include biotech seed cost, agricultural research, U.S. transportation infrastructure, U.S. farm bill structure and funding, exchange rates and other factors relevant to agricultural global competitiveness.
7. 2018 Farm Bill Principles:
AFBF Policies – Page 12