Budget/Appropriations
MFB signed a letter with other national and state level groups to House and Senate Budget Committees urging sufficient budgetary resources for the 2023 Farm Bill. Michigan Farm Bureau communicated with Congress on several appropriations related topics, including: Senator Gary Peters SWAT Act requesting funding for APHIS, including specialty crop pest program. In order to sustain specialty crop production and provide continued domestic food security, robust investment must be maintained in order to mitigate the harmful effects caused by these invasive pests, such as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). SWD is an invasive pest from East Asia that lays eggs in soft-skinned specialty fruit crops, including cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. MFB also communicated with House offices specially requesting ways that the H-2A visa program could be address through the Appropriations process Agricultural Research: USDAs Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, Economic Research Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service which provide research, data, and statistical analysis critical for addressing challenges faced by the agriculture community. Crop Protection: Office of Pesticide Management Policy, which promotes the development of new pest management approaches and is critical for crop protection. USDAs Minor Crop Pest Management Program (IR-4) ensures safe and effective agrichemicals and biopesticides are available for small, specialty crop markets. Farm Programs: Farm Bureau urges the committee to protect programs that ensure U.S. farmers and ranchers are able to continue to produce food, fiber and fuel as they battle high input prices, labor challenges, and natural disasters. Farm Bureau supports increased funding for risk management tools, which include federal crop insurance and commodity programs, as well as federal conservation programs, which preserve environmental benefits. Farm Bureau supports prioritizing working lands conservation programs over retirement land programs. Additionally, increased funding for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan guarantee programs will ensure availability to eligible under current authorities and the FSA Agricultural Mediation Program. In addition, adequate funding should be provided for personnel and technology upgrades to effectively serve farmers and ranchers utilizing these programs. Food Safety: Increase funding for food protection at the Food and Drug Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) directed to increase education and training of inspectors and other relevant staff. International Programs: The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program to increase demand for U.S. agriculture and food products in foreign markets. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which effectively delivers both food aid and educational assistance. P.L. 480 programs, which provide foreign food aid by purchasing U.S. commodities. Farm Bureau supports funding the following programs at the authorized spending level: Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA): This pilot program was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill to leverage successful public-private partnerships to improve efficiency and accelerate research and development in pursuit of overcoming long-term and high-risk agricultural and food-related research and development challenges. Animal Health Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary Services Grant Program, which allow veterinarians to ensure animal health and welfare while protecting the nations food supply. The National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which provides an early warning system for emerging animal diseases. Section 1433 Continuing Animal Health and Disease, Food Security, and Stewardship Research, Education and Extension Programs to address critical priorities in food security, zoonotic disease and stewardship. The FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine, which oversees the safety of animal drugs, feed, and biotechnology-derived products. The availability of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines to meet emergency response requirements. Biotechnology Promotion: APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services, if there are appropriate levels of congressional oversight, to ensure APHIS regulatory considerations are science- and risk-based, transparent and predictable, while promoting innovation in plant breeding and facilitating trade. Expanding International Markets and Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture: The Foreign Agricultural Service, Emerging Markets Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, all of which increase demand for U.S. agriculture and food products abroad. APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine personnel and facilities. APHIS trade issues resolution and management activities that are essential for an effective response when other countries raise sanitary and phytosanitary measures related to American products. The U.S. Codex Office, which is essential to improving the harmonization of international science-based standards for the safety of food and agriculture products. Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN): The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network provides stress assistance programs that address the increasing financial and mental stress impacting farmers and ranchers. Food Safety and Protection Funding for the Food & Drug Administration in the following areas: Implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act; Additional science-based inspection, targeted according to risk; Effective inspection of imported food and feed products; Research and development of scientifically based rapid-testing procedures and tools; Accurate and timely response to outbreaks that identify contaminated products, remove them from the market and minimize disruption to producers; and Indemnification for producers who suffer marketing losses due to inaccurate government- advised recalls or warnings. Funding for USDA food protection programs in the following areas: The National Antimicrobial Residue Monitoring System to detect trends in antibiotic resistance in foodborne bacteria. The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, through which veterinarians establish science-based recommendations for drug withdrawal intervals. Renewable Energy Renewable Energy for America Program, which offers a combination of grants and guaranteed loans for farmers to purchase renewable energy systems. USDAs energy programs that improve the nations energy security and economic development including: the Biobased Markets Program, Biorefinery Assistance Program, Biomass Crop Assistance Program, Biomass Research & Development Initiative, Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, Biodiesel Fuel Education Program, and Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program. Strengthening Rural Communities Rural Utilities Service telecommunications programs, including the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, and Community Connect Program which seek to bring broadband to rural communities and improve access to distance learning and telemedicine opportunities for rural residents. Business and Industry Loan Program, Value-Added Producer Grant Program, and the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Program which support business creation and growth in rural communities. Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program and Community Facilities Loan Guarantee Program, which fund the construction or improvement of essential community facilities. Agriculture in the Classroom which helps students gain greater awareness of the role agriculture plays in the economy and society. Wildlife Services: Wildlife Services programs that prevent and minimize wildlife damage, while protecting human health and safety from conflicts with wildlife.
TargetedSENATE · HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
