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National Farmers Union



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-- 
Lawrence F. London, Jr. Venaura Farm ICQ#27930345
lflondon@mindspring.com  london@metalab.unc.edu
metalab.unc.edu/intergarden InterGarden
metalab.unc.edu/permaculture PermaSphere
metalab.unc.edu/intergarden/orgfarm AGINFO
Title: National Farmers Union
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NFU President Testifies on Proposed Ag Policy Changes
--Freedom to Farm: Failed Promises; Need for More Competition and Fair Trade--
WASHINGTON, DC (July 12, 2000)—National Farmers Union (NFU) President Leland Swenson today proposed policy changes before the House Agriculture Committee that would provide economic stability, security and opportunity for farmers and ranchers. He told members that the promised benefits of Freedom to Farm, the 1996 farm bill, have not been realized by independent producers.
Swenson outlined three major policy areas that are crucial to a successful, sustainable agriculture industry. 1) The issue of market concentration and integration in agriculture must be examined. New policies must be implemented to ensure that an accessible, transparent and competitive marketplace is available to all producers. 2) Agricultural trade policy must accommodate a broad range of priorities including socio-economic issues as well as market access and fair competition. 3) U.S. agricultural programs for crops, dairy and livestock must be revised to provide an effective safety net during periods when market returns are inadequate.
“Freedom to Farm has reduced the viability of family farmers,” said Swenson.AG POLICYMore On AG POLICY
NFU Urges Congress To Approve GMO Testing Funds
WASHINGTON, DC (July 6, 2000)—In a letter to members of Congress today, the National Farmers Union (NFU) urged the approval of funding requested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to develop new methods and testing procedures to ensure accurate identification of agricultural products derived from biotechnology.
“Consumers, farmers and others need an objective, reliable, certified public testing program to determine whether the products they buy or sell have been genetically modified,” said NFU President Leland Swenson. “This modest expenditure will go a long way toward providing the valuable information producers, processors and merchandisers need in meeting the consumer demands of a market that is growing increasingly conscious of biotechnology in food. It will augment the valuable food quality information to which Americans have become accustomed and which is being demanded by overseas markets.”
The importance of this testing program is apparent given the growing development and commercial application of biotechnology in agriculture.GMOMore On GMO
Senate Ag Committee Adopts CFTC Reauthorization Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 30, 2000)-The National Farmers Union (NFU) recognized the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday for its attention to agricultural commodities trading. The action taken by the panel reauthorizes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and reforms the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).
"We are pleased that the Senate Agriculture Committee realizes the impact of the futures markets as a risk management tool and price discovery mechanism on family farmers whether or not they directly participate in futures markets," said Illinois Farmers Union President Larry Quandt, who represents the interests of family farmers and ranchers as a CFTC Agriculture Advisory Committee member. "It is vital that we maintain appropriate regulatory authority over the exchanges. This legislation acknowledges the differences between the agricultural markets and other exchange-traded commodities."
The legislation codifies the regulatory relief proposal of the CFTC to ensure that futures exchanges are appropriately regulated and remain competitive, incorporates the unanimous recommendations of the President's Working Group (PWG) on the proper legal and regulatory treatment of over-the-counter derivatives, and reforms law to allow financial exchanges to trade single stock futures.CFTCMore On CFTC
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Rally for Rural America
Citizens seek economic, social justice

			Citizens from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., March 19-21 for a series of events highlighting the growing plight of rural communities.
The nation’s rural crisis took center stage at the “Rally for Rural America” set for March 20-21, 2000, in Washington, D.C. A cross-section of participants from around the country gathered at the U.S. Capitol to call on Congress to invest in rural America’s future.
Concentration
NFU fights for fair, competitive markets

			U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., explains why he introduced a bill that would limit mergers and acquisitions.
A pending mega-merger between grain giants Cargill, Inc., and Continental Grain Co. could be devastating to rural communities.

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