The American Soybean Association recently set its policy positions for 2017. The list of priorities established at the Commodity Classic in San Antonio includes a strong farm safety net, increased funding for ag export programs, ambitious global trade negotiations, aggressive support for biodiesel, and robust funding for ag research and conservation programs. The just-beginning debate on the new Farm Bill was the subject of several new resolutions this year.

Many of the resolutions focused on improving the risk management programs in Title 1 of the legislation. ASA wants a stronger farm safety net, which is necessary to offset lower commodity prices and the resulting drop in farm incomes. The soybean organization also wants to double funding for the Foreign Market Development Program as well as the Market Access Program.

ASA will also support increasing the acreage cap for the Conservation Reserve Program. They also expressed strong support for keeping the Farm Bill together with the nutrition program. Delegates also supported several tax-related resolutions, including the renewal of the biodiesel tax credit and a restructuring of the credit to promote domestic production.

Source;  NAFB News

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