GFB members take ag concerns to Washington, D.C.

House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Sanford Bishop (second from right) met with his GFB constituents on the steps of the Capitol.

Almost 150 Georgia Farm Bureau members from across the state traveled to Washington, D.C., May 8-11, for the organization’s annual Presidents’ Trip to Washington.

Members met with Georgia’s congressional delegation, Farm Service Agency officials and toured the new American Farm Bureau Federation office.

The main issues GFB members discussed with their representatives were the 2007 farm bill, immigration reform, compensation for poultry production lost to avian influenza and clarification that the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) was not intended to regulate manure.

“It’s been said that decisions are made by those who show up, and Georgia Farm Bureau showed up in Washington this week,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said. “I appreciate all of our volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules and left their farms to come to Washington to represent Georgia agriculture. We visited Washington at a very urgent time as Congress is drawing up a new farm bill, discussing immigration reform and disaster payments. We’re also meeting with FSA officials about the proposed office closings in Georgia.”

Members who met with House Agriculture Committee member Rep. John Barrow were told Committee Chairman Collin Peterson is determined to complete the farm bill before Congress’ September break. “We’re on track. The bill will have to come out of committee between now and August,” Barrow said. “I’m going to vote to keep commodity programs at their current level.”

House Agriculture Committee member Rep. David Scott (left, standing) talks to GFB members in his office.

House Agriculture Committee member Rep. David Scott assured GFB members he would support compensation for poultry production lost in the event of an avian influenza outbreak. “We’re aware of the impact of avian influenza, and we’re doing some things in Congress to address that and bioterrorism. You can count on us to vote with you and support anything regarding avian influenza. Food safety is a real concern to us.”

House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Sanford Bishop met with his GFB constituents on the steps of the Capitol. In an interview with GFB media, Bishop discussed some of the obstacles ag funding faces. Bishop expressed regret that peanut storage funding was not secured, but said renewed effort is being placed on securing correct USDA pricing for peanut marketing loans.

“Money is going to be tight for the next farm bill. In an effort to move away from the eight trillion dollar national deficit, Congress is trying to put restraints on the budget. I understand the farm bill will be about six billion short of the last farm bill. This will create some arm wrestling among regions and agriculture segments for funding.”