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NFU Hails WFO Trade Policy Adoption PDF Print E-mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2013

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104 
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WASHINGTON (April 17, 2013) – National Farmers Union (NFU) is applauding the World Farmers Organisation (WFO) for adopting its first policy on international trade. The historic policy was adopted during the WFO’s third General Assembly in Niigata, Japan this week.

“The WFO is committed to the pursuit of ambitious trade policy objectives and the reinforcement of the global agricultural trading system so that we can operate in a fair, transparent and predictable trading environment,” the policy noted.

Among its key policy objectives, the WFO body highlighted the need for country-of-origin labeling requirements that allow countries to distinguish their products without distorting trade.

“America’s farmers, ranchers and livestock producers take great pride in making high-quality products available to consumers, who are demanding more information about from where their food comes,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We are pleased that the WFO recognizes the importance of country-of-origin labeling and has incorporated the principle into its trade policy.”

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 57 countries, including Canada and Mexico, require some form of country-of-origin labeling for food. These countries account for 94 percent of U.S. trading activity for food and animals.

Also in attendance at the event alongside Johnson were Secretary of the NFU Board of Directors and Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson, North Dakota Farmers Union President Woody Barth, Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill, Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden and NFU General Counsel Dave Velde. NFU Vice President of International Relations Robert Carlson serves as president of WFO. The General Assembly concludes April 18.

The WFO brings together national agricultural producer organizations and farmer-owned cooperative organizations to create policies and advocate on world farmers’ behalf, in order to improve the economic situation and livelihood of producers, their families and their rural communities. For more information on the WFO, please visit www.WFO-OMA.org.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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NFU Hails Recent Progress in Agriculture Labor Policy PDF Print E-mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2013

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104 
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WASHINGTON (April 17, 2013) – National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule released a statement following the announcement of a new bipartisan employer and worker agreement on reform legislation intended to ensure a legal, stable agricultural workforce:

“NFU is pleased by yesterday’s agreement between the Agricultural Workforce Coalition (AWC) and the United Farm Workers on legislation to ensure a stable and legal workforce. NFU is a participating organization in the Agricultural Workforce Coalition, which has worked for months to negotiate a reasonable agreement with the United Farm Workers.

“NFU’s member-adopted, grassroots policy urges that ‘our immigration system must be flexible enough to address the needs of businesses while protecting the interests of workers.’ The legislative language, as unveiled by the bipartisan group of Senators who have been advancing immigration reform policy, achieves those goals.

“NFU will continue to pursue reforms that provide a documented and legal means for allowing immigrants to work on U.S. farms and ranches. Such a system will benefit both farm owners and workers and is an important improvement on the status quo.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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NFU Applauds USDA’s Streamlining REAP Application Process PDF Print E-mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2013

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104 
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WASHINGTON (April 16, 2013) – National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule issued a statement following the announcement of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposal for a simplified application process for renewable energy and energy efficiency funding. The proposed changes would affect applications for loans and grants through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP):

“We are pleased that the USDA has taken a proactive approach in simplifying the application process for loans and grants through REAP and once again has demonstrated its steadfast support of renewable energy. Energy programs play a pivotal role in strengthening rural economic development and creating opportunities for rural America. We encourage the USDA continue to take this approach department-wide to increase efficiency and streamline other application processes.

“It is also important to note that the benefits of programs like REAP could not exist without a farm bill. Today’s announcement once again underscores the critical importance that we complete a comprehensive, five-year farm bill as expeditiously as possible to ensure vital programs such as REAP can continue to flourish and benefit rural America.”

Since 2008, REAP has funded more than 6,800 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, feasibility studies, energy audits and renewable energy development assistance projects.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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NFU Statement on President's FY 2014 Budget PDF Print E-mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 10, 2013

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104 
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WASHINGTON (April 10, 2013) – National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule issued a statement following the announcement of President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 Budget:
“The agriculture community has shown time and time again that we are willing to contribute our fair share to solving our nation’s economic problems. However, we are only able to support cuts to important farm safety net and conservation programs in the context of a new, comprehensive five-year farm bill.
 
“NFU is pleased with the continued commitment to renewable energy, including farm bill energy programs and the permanent extension of the production tax credit (PTC). The budget shows that the president recognizes the role of rural America in leading the clean energy revolution. We urge Congress to continue this commitment by providing robust mandatory funding for all energy programs in the next farm bill. 
 
“The budget’s $500 million cut to the Food for Peace program is alarming.  The agriculture community has always been, and continues to be, the leading proponent of food aid to protect the hungry in times of crisis and advance the United States’ humanitarian efforts.

“We look forward to working through the budget process to ensure that strong policy is enacted for family farmers and ranchers.” 

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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NFU Hails Continued Saturday USPS Delivery PDF Print E-mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 10, 2013

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104 
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WASHINGTON (April 10 2013) – National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule issued the following statement today, after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it was canceling plans to stop Saturday mail delivery.

“We were pleased to hear that the USPS has decided to reverse its plan to end Saturday mail delivery later this year. NFU has long supported the USPS, especially rural mail delivery. The elimination of Saturday delivery would have a negative impact on the economy and would pose an unnecessary burden to customers of the Postal Service.

“Many rural USPS customers depend heavily on weekend delivery, and eliminating it would have a negative impact on rural America.  In many cases, local and regional newspaper delivery to outlying areas will be delayed for days. This not only damages the circulation numbers of the newspaper, but also devalues local information and advertising.” 

At the 2013 NFU convention, delegates passed a Special Order of Business specifically addressing USPS services and their importance to rural America. Click here to read the Special Order.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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