Policy of the National Farmers Union Enacted by delegates to
Transcript Of Policy of the National Farmers Union Enacted by delegates to
Policy of the National Farmers Union Enacted by delegates to the 115th anniversary convention
San Diego, CA March 5-8, 2017 National Farmers Union Mission and Vision Statements Mission – To advocate for the economic and social well-being, and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and consumers and their communities through education, cooperation and legislation. National Farmers Union advocates for the sustainable production of food, fiber, feed and fuel. Vision – National Farmers Union will continue to be the respected, influential and independent national voice and coalition leader that bridges family producers and consumers on behalf of a vibrant and growing grassroots membership.
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CONTENTS Preamble.................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Article I – Agricultural Programs for the Family Farm.......................................................................... 15
A. General Program Provisions................................................................................................................ 16 1. Measures of Economic Equity ........................................................................................................ 16 2. Directing Benefit Protection to Family Farms......................................................................... 16 3. Providing a Safety Net........................................................................................................................ 18 4. Farm Viability Programs for Family Farms .............................................................................. 18 5. Local Food & Food Systems............................................................................................................. 19 6. Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (also see Article IV.A - Farm Service Agency (FSA) Credit Programs) ........................................................................................................................................... 20 7. Urban Farming ...................................................................................................................................... 21
B. Dairy, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fishing.................................................................................... 22 1. Dairy Policy............................................................................................................................................. 22 i. Domestic Dairy Policy ................................................................................................................. 22 ii. Market Order Reform .................................................................................................................. 23 iii. Milk Protein Concentrate/Ultra-Filtered Milk Products (also see Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) .................................................................. 24 iv. Consumer Protection (also see Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) .............................................................................................................................. 25 v. Raw Dairy ......................................................................................................................................... 25 2. Livestock Policy .................................................................................................................................... 26 i. Animal Welfare............................................................................................................................... 26 ii. Livestock and Livestock Product Imports (also see Article III – International Trade, Cooperation, and the Family Farm)..................................................................................... 27
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iii. Consumer Protection (also see Article X.J – Food Safety and Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) ..................................................................................... 27 iv. Livestock Health ............................................................................................................................ 28 v. State Animal Identification........................................................................................................ 31 vi. National Animal Identification ................................................................................................ 31 vii. Aquaculture, Fishing and Alternative Livestock .............................................................. 32
1. Marine Aquaculture................................................................................................................. 33 2. Sustainable Working Waterfronts and Fisheries........................................................ 33 C. Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products................................................................. 35 1. Country-of-Origin Labeling.............................................................................................................. 35 2. Labeling of Food Products ............................................................................................................... 36 3. Nutrition Labeling ............................................................................................................................... 37 D. Commodities............................................................................................................................................... 37 1. Wheat, Coarse Grains, Oilseeds, Rice, and Cotton.................................................................. 37 2. Other Program Commodities (wool, mohair, honey, pulse crops, etc.) ....................... 38 3. Tobacco .................................................................................................................................................... 39 4. Peanuts ..................................................................................................................................................... 40 5. Sugar.......................................................................................................................................................... 40 6. Tree Farms and Forestry .................................................................................................................. 40 7. Specialty Crops...................................................................................................................................... 41 8. Honey/Pollination ............................................................................................................................... 42 9. Value-Added and Minimally Processed Foods ........................................................................ 43 10. Value-Added Uses of Farm Products .................................................................................... 43 E. Agri-Tourism .............................................................................................................................................. 43 F. Risk Management ..................................................................................................................................... 43
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1. Livestock Producer Assistance ...................................................................................................... 43 2. Crop Insurance...................................................................................................................................... 44 3. National Food Liability Insurance Program ............................................................................. 47 4. Risk Management Education .......................................................................................................... 47 G. Farm Program Administration ........................................................................................................... 48 1. Farmer-Elected Committees ........................................................................................................... 48 2. Natural Resources Conservation Service .................................................................................. 48 3. Improved Marketing Mechanisms................................................................................................ 49 H. Special Agricultural Policies and Services ..................................................................................... 49 1. Farm Labor ............................................................................................................................................. 49 2. Safety of Farmers and Farm Workers ......................................................................................... 50 3. Storable Commodities Producer Protection ............................................................................ 51
i. Federal Warehouse Act............................................................................................................... 51 ii. Ag Merchandiser or Supplier Bankruptcies and Receiverships................................ 52 iii. Commodity Basis ........................................................................................................................... 52 4. Agricultural Census............................................................................................................................. 52 5. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)...................................................................... 52 6. Commodity Research and Promotion Programs.................................................................... 53 7. Grain Standards .................................................................................................................................... 55 8. Grain Inspection ................................................................................................................................... 56 9. USDA’s Information Mandate ......................................................................................................... 56 10. National Organic Standards (also see Article I.D. – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products)................................................................................................................................... 56 11. Plant Breeding ................................................................................................................................ 57 12. Plant Genetic Resources ............................................................................................................. 58
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Article II – Family Farmers and Technology .............................................................................................. 59 A. Genetically Modified Organisms and Biotechnology ................................................................ 59 B. Agricultural Technology........................................................................................................................ 61 C. Information Collection and Protection ........................................................................................... 61 D. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)................................................................................................ 62
Article III – Agriculture Competition and Concentration ..................................................................... 63 A. Competition and Antitrust.................................................................................................................... 63 B. Livestock Market Reform...................................................................................................................... 65 C. Poultry Market Reform .......................................................................................................................... 65 D. Production Contracting ......................................................................................................................... 66 E. Profit-Taking by Manufacturers of Farm Inputs......................................................................... 67
Article IV – International Trade, Cooperation, and the Family Farm.............................................. 69 A. Agricultural Trade Negotiations ........................................................................................................ 69 B. Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track) ...................................................................................... 72 C. Fair and Transparent Trade Practices ............................................................................................ 73 D. Health and Inspection Standards for Food and Fiber Imports............................................. 73 E. China Trade................................................................................................................................................. 74 F. International Food Assistance ............................................................................................................ 75 G. World Farmers Organization (WFO) ............................................................................................... 75 H. Policies Toward Developing Nations ............................................................................................... 76 I. Farmers and Farm Youth Educational Exchange Programs .................................................. 76
Article V – Credit and the Family Farm ........................................................................................................ 77 A. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Credit Programs .............................................................................. 78 B. Farm Credit System ................................................................................................................................. 79 C. Cooperative Financing ........................................................................................................................... 81 5
Article VI – Farm Cooperatives and the Family Farm ............................................................................ 82 A. Cooperative Law ....................................................................................................................................... 82 B. Rochdale Principles ................................................................................................................................. 82 C. Additional Principles .............................................................................................................................. 83 D. Teamwork of Farmers Union and Cooperatives......................................................................... 86 E. CHS.................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Article VII – Water and Land Policy, Conservation and the Family Farm ..................................... 87 A. Objectives of a Comprehensive Land Policy ................................................................................. 87 B. Prohibition of Foreign Ownership of Farmland, Commercial Fishing Privileges and Disclosure ............................................................................................................................................................. 88 C. Land Transfer............................................................................................................................................. 88 D. Public Lands................................................................................................................................................ 89 E. National Grazing Lands Coalition ...................................................................................................... 92 F. Forest Health .............................................................................................................................................. 92 G. Water Quantity and Quality ................................................................................................................. 92 1. Water Quantity Distribution ........................................................................................................... 92 2. Water Quality Protection.................................................................................................................. 94 3. Clean Water Act .................................................................................................................................... 96 4. Drought Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 97 H. Air Quality.................................................................................................................................................... 98 I. Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs).................................................................................................. 98 J. Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) ........................................................................... 98 K. Pesticide Regulation............................................................................................................................. 100 L. Fertilizer Regulations .......................................................................................................................... 101 M. Invasive Species Control ................................................................................................................ 102
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N. Prescribed Burning............................................................................................................................... 103 O. Landowner Rights ................................................................................................................................. 103 P. Eminent Domain (also see Article VIII.F – IRS Tax Code 1031 Exchanges) .................... 104 Q. Zoning .................................................................................................................................................... 105 R. Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration................................................................................ 106 S. Conservation ........................................................................................................................................... 107
1. Land Retirement and Easement Programs............................................................................ 110 2. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)..................................................................................... 110 3. National Buffer Strip Initiative.................................................................................................... 112 4. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)............................................................................ 113 5. Sodbuster and Swampbuster Provisions................................................................................ 113 6. Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................... 113 T. Sustainable Agriculture ...................................................................................................................... 115 U. Predator and Rodent Control ........................................................................................................... 115 V. Endangered Species ............................................................................................................................. 115 W. Army Corps of Engineers............................................................................................................... 116 X. Nuclear, Radioactive and Toxic Waste ......................................................................................... 116 Y. Surface Mining ........................................................................................................................................ 117 Article VIII – Energy and the Family Farm .............................................................................................. 118 A. Energy Objectives.................................................................................................................................. 118 B. Distribution.............................................................................................................................................. 119 1. Petroleum Supply ............................................................................................................................. 119 2. Electricity and Deregulation ........................................................................................................ 119 3. Economic Assistance ....................................................................................................................... 121 4. Public Ownership of Power Marketing Administration and Power Generators ... 122
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5. Hydroelectric Power........................................................................................................................ 122 6. Pipelines................................................................................................................................................ 122 C. Development of Renewable Energy and Fuels from the Farm .......................................... 123 1. Priorities ............................................................................................................................................... 123 2. Ethanol................................................................................................................................................... 127 3. Renewable Fuel Standard.............................................................................................................. 128 4. Biodiesel................................................................................................................................................ 129 5. Compressed Natural Gas................................................................................................................ 129 6. Wind Energy........................................................................................................................................ 129 7. Solar Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 130 8. Renewable Energy Storage ........................................................................................................... 130 9. Cooperative Demonstrations....................................................................................................... 130 D. Environmental Precaution in Energy Production and Use ................................................. 131 1. Fuel Storage Tanks ........................................................................................................................... 131 2. Waste Products .................................................................................................................................. 131 3. Hydraulic Fracturing and Wastewater Injection ................................................................ 132 E. Landowner Rights in Natural Resources Project Development (wind, solar, fracking, oil, etc.)................................................................................................................................................................ 132 Article IX – Economic Regulation and the Family Farm..................................................................... 135 A. Federal Budget Reform....................................................................................................................... 135 B. Money and Credit Policy (also see Article IV – Credit and the Family Farm)................ 135 C. Bank Regulation ..................................................................................................................................... 136 D. Credit Unions........................................................................................................................................... 136 E. Estate and Gift Tax Policy .................................................................................................................. 137 F. IRS Tax Code 1031 Exchanges ......................................................................................................... 137
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G. Income Tax Reforms ............................................................................................................................ 138 H. Taxation..................................................................................................................................................... 138 I. Tax Credit.................................................................................................................................................. 139 J. Commodity Futures.............................................................................................................................. 140 Article X – Rural Development and the Family Farm.......................................................................... 142 A. Rural Community Development ..................................................................................................... 142 B. Transportation ....................................................................................................................................... 143
1. U.S. Highway Trust Fund ............................................................................................................... 144 2. Truck Transportation...................................................................................................................... 144 3. Rail Transportation.......................................................................................................................... 145
i. Rail Service .................................................................................................................................... 145 ii. Certificates of Transportation (COT) ................................................................................. 147 iii. Safety ............................................................................................................................................... 148 C. Port Development, Shipping Policy ............................................................................................... 148 D. Air Transportation ................................................................................................................................ 149 E. Rural Utilities .......................................................................................................................................... 149 1. Telephone Services .......................................................................................................................... 149 2. Electric Services................................................................................................................................. 149 3. Telecommunications ....................................................................................................................... 150 4. Rural Access to Technology and Information....................................................................... 150 F. Small Business Development ........................................................................................................... 151 1. Industrial Development Bonds ................................................................................................... 151 2. Small Business Policy ...................................................................................................................... 151 3. Enterprise Facilitation .................................................................................................................... 151 Article XI – Quality of Life in Rural America ........................................................................................... 153
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A. Health Care............................................................................................................................................... 153 1. Health Care Coverage, Access and Care .................................................................................. 153 2. Prescription Drugs ........................................................................................................................... 155 3. Medicare and Medicaid .................................................................................................................. 155 4. Veterans’ Rights................................................................................................................................. 156
B. Education .................................................................................................................................................. 156 1. Public Research (also see Article VIII.J – Commodity Futures) ....................................... 159 2. National Institute of Food and Agriculture............................................................................ 160
C. Social Security......................................................................................................................................... 160 D. People with Disabilities ...................................................................................................................... 161 E. Employment: A National Priority ................................................................................................... 161 F. Immigration Policy ............................................................................................................................... 162 G. Expanding Opportunities for Senior Citizens............................................................................ 163 H. Food and Nutrition Programs .......................................................................................................... 164
1. Administration of Food and Nutrition Programs................................................................ 164 2. Food Assistance Programs............................................................................................................ 165 3. Child Nutrition Programs .............................................................................................................. 166 I. Nutrition Monitoring (also see Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) ............................................................................................................................................................ 166 J. Food Safety (also see Article III.D – Health and Inspection Standards for Food and Fiber Imports and Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products).......... 167 1. Regulatory Authority....................................................................................................................... 167 2. Food Safety Standards .................................................................................................................... 167 3. Inspection of Perishable Commodities.................................................................................... 169 4. Agri-Terrorism................................................................................................................................... 169
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San Diego, CA March 5-8, 2017 National Farmers Union Mission and Vision Statements Mission – To advocate for the economic and social well-being, and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and consumers and their communities through education, cooperation and legislation. National Farmers Union advocates for the sustainable production of food, fiber, feed and fuel. Vision – National Farmers Union will continue to be the respected, influential and independent national voice and coalition leader that bridges family producers and consumers on behalf of a vibrant and growing grassroots membership.
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CONTENTS Preamble.................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Article I – Agricultural Programs for the Family Farm.......................................................................... 15
A. General Program Provisions................................................................................................................ 16 1. Measures of Economic Equity ........................................................................................................ 16 2. Directing Benefit Protection to Family Farms......................................................................... 16 3. Providing a Safety Net........................................................................................................................ 18 4. Farm Viability Programs for Family Farms .............................................................................. 18 5. Local Food & Food Systems............................................................................................................. 19 6. Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (also see Article IV.A - Farm Service Agency (FSA) Credit Programs) ........................................................................................................................................... 20 7. Urban Farming ...................................................................................................................................... 21
B. Dairy, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fishing.................................................................................... 22 1. Dairy Policy............................................................................................................................................. 22 i. Domestic Dairy Policy ................................................................................................................. 22 ii. Market Order Reform .................................................................................................................. 23 iii. Milk Protein Concentrate/Ultra-Filtered Milk Products (also see Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) .................................................................. 24 iv. Consumer Protection (also see Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) .............................................................................................................................. 25 v. Raw Dairy ......................................................................................................................................... 25 2. Livestock Policy .................................................................................................................................... 26 i. Animal Welfare............................................................................................................................... 26 ii. Livestock and Livestock Product Imports (also see Article III – International Trade, Cooperation, and the Family Farm)..................................................................................... 27
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iii. Consumer Protection (also see Article X.J – Food Safety and Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) ..................................................................................... 27 iv. Livestock Health ............................................................................................................................ 28 v. State Animal Identification........................................................................................................ 31 vi. National Animal Identification ................................................................................................ 31 vii. Aquaculture, Fishing and Alternative Livestock .............................................................. 32
1. Marine Aquaculture................................................................................................................. 33 2. Sustainable Working Waterfronts and Fisheries........................................................ 33 C. Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products................................................................. 35 1. Country-of-Origin Labeling.............................................................................................................. 35 2. Labeling of Food Products ............................................................................................................... 36 3. Nutrition Labeling ............................................................................................................................... 37 D. Commodities............................................................................................................................................... 37 1. Wheat, Coarse Grains, Oilseeds, Rice, and Cotton.................................................................. 37 2. Other Program Commodities (wool, mohair, honey, pulse crops, etc.) ....................... 38 3. Tobacco .................................................................................................................................................... 39 4. Peanuts ..................................................................................................................................................... 40 5. Sugar.......................................................................................................................................................... 40 6. Tree Farms and Forestry .................................................................................................................. 40 7. Specialty Crops...................................................................................................................................... 41 8. Honey/Pollination ............................................................................................................................... 42 9. Value-Added and Minimally Processed Foods ........................................................................ 43 10. Value-Added Uses of Farm Products .................................................................................... 43 E. Agri-Tourism .............................................................................................................................................. 43 F. Risk Management ..................................................................................................................................... 43
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1. Livestock Producer Assistance ...................................................................................................... 43 2. Crop Insurance...................................................................................................................................... 44 3. National Food Liability Insurance Program ............................................................................. 47 4. Risk Management Education .......................................................................................................... 47 G. Farm Program Administration ........................................................................................................... 48 1. Farmer-Elected Committees ........................................................................................................... 48 2. Natural Resources Conservation Service .................................................................................. 48 3. Improved Marketing Mechanisms................................................................................................ 49 H. Special Agricultural Policies and Services ..................................................................................... 49 1. Farm Labor ............................................................................................................................................. 49 2. Safety of Farmers and Farm Workers ......................................................................................... 50 3. Storable Commodities Producer Protection ............................................................................ 51
i. Federal Warehouse Act............................................................................................................... 51 ii. Ag Merchandiser or Supplier Bankruptcies and Receiverships................................ 52 iii. Commodity Basis ........................................................................................................................... 52 4. Agricultural Census............................................................................................................................. 52 5. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)...................................................................... 52 6. Commodity Research and Promotion Programs.................................................................... 53 7. Grain Standards .................................................................................................................................... 55 8. Grain Inspection ................................................................................................................................... 56 9. USDA’s Information Mandate ......................................................................................................... 56 10. National Organic Standards (also see Article I.D. – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products)................................................................................................................................... 56 11. Plant Breeding ................................................................................................................................ 57 12. Plant Genetic Resources ............................................................................................................. 58
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Article II – Family Farmers and Technology .............................................................................................. 59 A. Genetically Modified Organisms and Biotechnology ................................................................ 59 B. Agricultural Technology........................................................................................................................ 61 C. Information Collection and Protection ........................................................................................... 61 D. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)................................................................................................ 62
Article III – Agriculture Competition and Concentration ..................................................................... 63 A. Competition and Antitrust.................................................................................................................... 63 B. Livestock Market Reform...................................................................................................................... 65 C. Poultry Market Reform .......................................................................................................................... 65 D. Production Contracting ......................................................................................................................... 66 E. Profit-Taking by Manufacturers of Farm Inputs......................................................................... 67
Article IV – International Trade, Cooperation, and the Family Farm.............................................. 69 A. Agricultural Trade Negotiations ........................................................................................................ 69 B. Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track) ...................................................................................... 72 C. Fair and Transparent Trade Practices ............................................................................................ 73 D. Health and Inspection Standards for Food and Fiber Imports............................................. 73 E. China Trade................................................................................................................................................. 74 F. International Food Assistance ............................................................................................................ 75 G. World Farmers Organization (WFO) ............................................................................................... 75 H. Policies Toward Developing Nations ............................................................................................... 76 I. Farmers and Farm Youth Educational Exchange Programs .................................................. 76
Article V – Credit and the Family Farm ........................................................................................................ 77 A. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Credit Programs .............................................................................. 78 B. Farm Credit System ................................................................................................................................. 79 C. Cooperative Financing ........................................................................................................................... 81 5
Article VI – Farm Cooperatives and the Family Farm ............................................................................ 82 A. Cooperative Law ....................................................................................................................................... 82 B. Rochdale Principles ................................................................................................................................. 82 C. Additional Principles .............................................................................................................................. 83 D. Teamwork of Farmers Union and Cooperatives......................................................................... 86 E. CHS.................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Article VII – Water and Land Policy, Conservation and the Family Farm ..................................... 87 A. Objectives of a Comprehensive Land Policy ................................................................................. 87 B. Prohibition of Foreign Ownership of Farmland, Commercial Fishing Privileges and Disclosure ............................................................................................................................................................. 88 C. Land Transfer............................................................................................................................................. 88 D. Public Lands................................................................................................................................................ 89 E. National Grazing Lands Coalition ...................................................................................................... 92 F. Forest Health .............................................................................................................................................. 92 G. Water Quantity and Quality ................................................................................................................. 92 1. Water Quantity Distribution ........................................................................................................... 92 2. Water Quality Protection.................................................................................................................. 94 3. Clean Water Act .................................................................................................................................... 96 4. Drought Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 97 H. Air Quality.................................................................................................................................................... 98 I. Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs).................................................................................................. 98 J. Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) ........................................................................... 98 K. Pesticide Regulation............................................................................................................................. 100 L. Fertilizer Regulations .......................................................................................................................... 101 M. Invasive Species Control ................................................................................................................ 102
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N. Prescribed Burning............................................................................................................................... 103 O. Landowner Rights ................................................................................................................................. 103 P. Eminent Domain (also see Article VIII.F – IRS Tax Code 1031 Exchanges) .................... 104 Q. Zoning .................................................................................................................................................... 105 R. Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration................................................................................ 106 S. Conservation ........................................................................................................................................... 107
1. Land Retirement and Easement Programs............................................................................ 110 2. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)..................................................................................... 110 3. National Buffer Strip Initiative.................................................................................................... 112 4. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)............................................................................ 113 5. Sodbuster and Swampbuster Provisions................................................................................ 113 6. Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................... 113 T. Sustainable Agriculture ...................................................................................................................... 115 U. Predator and Rodent Control ........................................................................................................... 115 V. Endangered Species ............................................................................................................................. 115 W. Army Corps of Engineers............................................................................................................... 116 X. Nuclear, Radioactive and Toxic Waste ......................................................................................... 116 Y. Surface Mining ........................................................................................................................................ 117 Article VIII – Energy and the Family Farm .............................................................................................. 118 A. Energy Objectives.................................................................................................................................. 118 B. Distribution.............................................................................................................................................. 119 1. Petroleum Supply ............................................................................................................................. 119 2. Electricity and Deregulation ........................................................................................................ 119 3. Economic Assistance ....................................................................................................................... 121 4. Public Ownership of Power Marketing Administration and Power Generators ... 122
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5. Hydroelectric Power........................................................................................................................ 122 6. Pipelines................................................................................................................................................ 122 C. Development of Renewable Energy and Fuels from the Farm .......................................... 123 1. Priorities ............................................................................................................................................... 123 2. Ethanol................................................................................................................................................... 127 3. Renewable Fuel Standard.............................................................................................................. 128 4. Biodiesel................................................................................................................................................ 129 5. Compressed Natural Gas................................................................................................................ 129 6. Wind Energy........................................................................................................................................ 129 7. Solar Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 130 8. Renewable Energy Storage ........................................................................................................... 130 9. Cooperative Demonstrations....................................................................................................... 130 D. Environmental Precaution in Energy Production and Use ................................................. 131 1. Fuel Storage Tanks ........................................................................................................................... 131 2. Waste Products .................................................................................................................................. 131 3. Hydraulic Fracturing and Wastewater Injection ................................................................ 132 E. Landowner Rights in Natural Resources Project Development (wind, solar, fracking, oil, etc.)................................................................................................................................................................ 132 Article IX – Economic Regulation and the Family Farm..................................................................... 135 A. Federal Budget Reform....................................................................................................................... 135 B. Money and Credit Policy (also see Article IV – Credit and the Family Farm)................ 135 C. Bank Regulation ..................................................................................................................................... 136 D. Credit Unions........................................................................................................................................... 136 E. Estate and Gift Tax Policy .................................................................................................................. 137 F. IRS Tax Code 1031 Exchanges ......................................................................................................... 137
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G. Income Tax Reforms ............................................................................................................................ 138 H. Taxation..................................................................................................................................................... 138 I. Tax Credit.................................................................................................................................................. 139 J. Commodity Futures.............................................................................................................................. 140 Article X – Rural Development and the Family Farm.......................................................................... 142 A. Rural Community Development ..................................................................................................... 142 B. Transportation ....................................................................................................................................... 143
1. U.S. Highway Trust Fund ............................................................................................................... 144 2. Truck Transportation...................................................................................................................... 144 3. Rail Transportation.......................................................................................................................... 145
i. Rail Service .................................................................................................................................... 145 ii. Certificates of Transportation (COT) ................................................................................. 147 iii. Safety ............................................................................................................................................... 148 C. Port Development, Shipping Policy ............................................................................................... 148 D. Air Transportation ................................................................................................................................ 149 E. Rural Utilities .......................................................................................................................................... 149 1. Telephone Services .......................................................................................................................... 149 2. Electric Services................................................................................................................................. 149 3. Telecommunications ....................................................................................................................... 150 4. Rural Access to Technology and Information....................................................................... 150 F. Small Business Development ........................................................................................................... 151 1. Industrial Development Bonds ................................................................................................... 151 2. Small Business Policy ...................................................................................................................... 151 3. Enterprise Facilitation .................................................................................................................... 151 Article XI – Quality of Life in Rural America ........................................................................................... 153
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A. Health Care............................................................................................................................................... 153 1. Health Care Coverage, Access and Care .................................................................................. 153 2. Prescription Drugs ........................................................................................................................... 155 3. Medicare and Medicaid .................................................................................................................. 155 4. Veterans’ Rights................................................................................................................................. 156
B. Education .................................................................................................................................................. 156 1. Public Research (also see Article VIII.J – Commodity Futures) ....................................... 159 2. National Institute of Food and Agriculture............................................................................ 160
C. Social Security......................................................................................................................................... 160 D. People with Disabilities ...................................................................................................................... 161 E. Employment: A National Priority ................................................................................................... 161 F. Immigration Policy ............................................................................................................................... 162 G. Expanding Opportunities for Senior Citizens............................................................................ 163 H. Food and Nutrition Programs .......................................................................................................... 164
1. Administration of Food and Nutrition Programs................................................................ 164 2. Food Assistance Programs............................................................................................................ 165 3. Child Nutrition Programs .............................................................................................................. 166 I. Nutrition Monitoring (also see Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products) ............................................................................................................................................................ 166 J. Food Safety (also see Article III.D – Health and Inspection Standards for Food and Fiber Imports and Article I.D – Labeling of Commodities and Commodity Products).......... 167 1. Regulatory Authority....................................................................................................................... 167 2. Food Safety Standards .................................................................................................................... 167 3. Inspection of Perishable Commodities.................................................................................... 169 4. Agri-Terrorism................................................................................................................................... 169
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