Rep. Pombo says global market competition to drive next farm bill
Rep. Pombo says global market competition to drive next farm bill
WASHINGTON The next farm bill will need to reflect the reality that it is not about Florida growers competing with California growers anymore, said Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA). It is about a global economy and major changes that will need to be made to make U.S. producers competitive in the marketplace.
Rep. Pombo, chairman of the House Resources Committee and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, spoke Sept. 15 at United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Washington Public Policy Conference and said that the future of agriculture will be decided in the next few years as lawmakers are forced to weigh tough policy choices.
The current regulatory environment is designed for competition within the United States. "We are now competing with countries without regulatory burdens," he said. The world has changed when it comes to agriculture.
While other countries such as Brazil are pouring money into expanding their highways, the U.S. government is not doing anything to shore up its infrastructure, he said. And the latest energy bill that just passed Congress did almost nothing to boost domestic production.
The 2007 farm bill must reflect an international economy and not focus on traditional crop supports, Rep. Pombo said, calling for more investments in research and development and market development. The farm bill needs to reflect the reality that were not just competing against each other anymore but competing against them.
He added, We can compete if we make changes to the way we do business. But it takes many changes to make it happen, he added.
As a rancher, Rep. Pombo said that he immediately understood the problems posed by a country-of-origin labeling program. COOL sounded good to Congress, but lawmakers did not understand the impact it would have on farmers, he said. Cows that are shipped to Canada for a couple of weeks, which are then shipped back to the United States, would have to be labeled Canadian, he said.
Immigration is another issue with implications for agriculture facing Congress. Some constituents in Rep. Pombos California district are urging him to lock down these borders. The others are asking what Congress can do to supply more labor. The current immigration laws do not work, he said, but changing the laws must mean some people get amnesty. Thats a huge battle.
At the end of the breakfast session, United awarded Rep. Pombo with the Congressional Leadership Award for his service in promoting policies for the produce industry.
There are many challenges and opportunities that face the produce industry, said Rep. Pombo. We have a strong domestic specialty crop industry capable of producing a nutritious and affordable food supply. Its important to continue to make sure family farmers have the tools they need to produce for America and around the world.
Congressman Pombo is a true friend to agriculture and the produce industry, said United Vice President of Public Policy Robert Guenther. He has one of Washingtons best records for fighting for the rights and viability of independent businesses and a strong, market-based economy.
Rep. Pombo, chairman of the House Resources Committee and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, spoke Sept. 15 at United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Washington Public Policy Conference and said that the future of agriculture will be decided in the next few years as lawmakers are forced to weigh tough policy choices.
The current regulatory environment is designed for competition within the United States. "We are now competing with countries without regulatory burdens," he said. The world has changed when it comes to agriculture.
While other countries such as Brazil are pouring money into expanding their highways, the U.S. government is not doing anything to shore up its infrastructure, he said. And the latest energy bill that just passed Congress did almost nothing to boost domestic production.
The 2007 farm bill must reflect an international economy and not focus on traditional crop supports, Rep. Pombo said, calling for more investments in research and development and market development. The farm bill needs to reflect the reality that were not just competing against each other anymore but competing against them.
He added, We can compete if we make changes to the way we do business. But it takes many changes to make it happen, he added.
As a rancher, Rep. Pombo said that he immediately understood the problems posed by a country-of-origin labeling program. COOL sounded good to Congress, but lawmakers did not understand the impact it would have on farmers, he said. Cows that are shipped to Canada for a couple of weeks, which are then shipped back to the United States, would have to be labeled Canadian, he said.
Immigration is another issue with implications for agriculture facing Congress. Some constituents in Rep. Pombos California district are urging him to lock down these borders. The others are asking what Congress can do to supply more labor. The current immigration laws do not work, he said, but changing the laws must mean some people get amnesty. Thats a huge battle.
At the end of the breakfast session, United awarded Rep. Pombo with the Congressional Leadership Award for his service in promoting policies for the produce industry.
There are many challenges and opportunities that face the produce industry, said Rep. Pombo. We have a strong domestic specialty crop industry capable of producing a nutritious and affordable food supply. Its important to continue to make sure family farmers have the tools they need to produce for America and around the world.
Congressman Pombo is a true friend to agriculture and the produce industry, said United Vice President of Public Policy Robert Guenther. He has one of Washingtons best records for fighting for the rights and viability of independent businesses and a strong, market-based economy.
