Farmers and Ranchers understand that when applying pesticides, “the label is the law of the land.” The product label and the application of agricultural pesticides have always been regulated under FIFRA by the Environmental Protection Agency. Crop protection technologies allow U.S. producers to increase crop yield and efficiency of food production. If existing pesticide uses are abandoned, crop losses could be catastrophic – over 40% .

Farm Bureau supports immigration reform that addresses American agriculture’s needs today and in the future. This means dealing responsibly with our existing workforce. It also means providing reliably for the future by assuring that farmers and ranchers have access to a usable worker program that responds to agriculture’s unique needs. Clearly, border security and employer enforcement are important parts of the debate, but such provisions alone cannot solve the problem.

The success of the Clean Water Act (CWA) over its 37 year history has been its structure of shared responsibility. This approach allows states to protect truly ecologically important and environmentally sensitive areas within their borders while, at the same time, preserving the authorities of states and local communities over their own land and water use planning.

Farm Bureau supports tax policy that encourages private initiative and economic growth. No matter is more pressing than prompt passage of legislation to provide permanent estate tax relief, reduce capital gains taxes and lower income tax rates.

A sound farm program benefits all Americans: form the producers in the fields to the consumer’s table and provides a significant investment in nutrition programs. Every consumer should have the confidence in the safety of domestically-grown foods. The U.S. food protection system is among the best in the world. Farm Bureau believes farm and food policies are a wise investment in our nation’s health and the future of American-grown food, fuel, fiber and feed.

The regulatory agenda is becoming more burdensome to producers as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal departments move forward with greenhouse gas (GHG), dust and air regulations. Farmers face the potential of stricter requirements from these regulations.

American agriculture is a key component of rural communities, yet agriculture as an industry is more reliant on the greater rural economy than rural communities are dependent on farmers. Congress and the administration must seek ways to stimulate rural jobs and economic growth within rural communities. Farm Bureau believes education reform, broadband deployment and health care access are important initiatives to help maintain and revitalize rural America.

Farm Bureau is working to open markets, expand economic development and support a strong rules-based trading system. The bilateral trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea currently under consideration will lead to billions of dollars of future U.S. farm exports. These agreements will eliminate tariffs, provide gains in market share and remove other trade barriers that have limited U.S. agricultural export growth to these countries.