WOTUS, Ag Labor Are Key Issues for AFBF

ATLANTA (DTN) -- The American Farm Bureau Federation is renewing a push among its members to counter the Biden administration's plans to overhaul Clean Water Act rules known as waters of the United States (WOTUS), though the debate around the water rule is just one of the major topics highlighted by AFBF's president Sunday.

In the group's opening general session for its annual convention, President Zippy Duvall talked about WOTUS, as well as agriculture's role in shaping policies around climate change and praising the push to get a bi-partisan infrastructure bill through Congress.

"Thanks to our united voice, Congress passed -- and the President signed -- a bipartisan bill that will invest in our roads, bridges, ports and waterways," Duvall said. "We're also excited to see long overdue attention to Western water infrastructure, which will ensure future production opportunities for farmers."

Duvall later told reporters about funding for Western water projects, "That's going to be critical to the future of agriculture out there."

He also highlighted the $65 billion in the bill that will be directed towards broadband and how that will reshape rural America. Duvall noted he had challenges after COVID-19 hit, relying on broadband for online meetings, but having poor internet connections.

"We are finally on our way to leveling the playing field for farmers, ranchers, rural hospitals, rural schools, and all rural Americans with a historic investment in broadband," he said.

(See "Roads, Bridges and Broadband Get Their Due in Infrastructure Act" at https://www.dtnpf.com/…)

On WOTUS, Duvall said farmers were pleased with the water rule that had been issued by the Trump administration, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. That rule was withdrawn by the Biden administration's EPA and also thrown out by a federal judge. EPA is looking to revert rules to the way the agency interpreted water regulations before 2015.

(See "EPA Proposes Pre-2015 WOTUS Definition" at https://www.dtnpf.com/…)

Duvall pointed out the way farmers rallied last year to protect stepped-up basis and block tax proposals that would have affected estates. He said agriculture needs a similar collective voice when it comes to the Clean Water Act rules this year.

"We need that same energy and passion when it comes to WOTUS. It is critical that this administration understands that we should not need a team of lawyers and consultants just to farm our land," Duvall said.

Farm Bureau has a post card for convention attendees with information to text EPA or use a QR code to fill out information to tell EPA to keep the Trump-era water rule in place. "Tell EPA we want a rule that protects our nation's water resources and provides clear rules for farmers, ranchers and small businesses," the card states.

Speaking to reporters after his speech, Duvall also highlighted the importance of Congress and the Biden administration to address agricultural labor, which he noted was the first topic he brought up to the press when Duvall became president of AFBF six years ago.

"It's the biggest limiting factor that agriculture has standing in front of us," Duvall said. "We have a growing population to feed around the world, and we have not gotten any closer in working with Congress and the president to solving this problem. And if we're interested in national security or if we are even interested in making sure we have a stable food supply for this country, we had better stop and take a look."

Duvall said there is not enough attention to agricultural labor, which he distinguished is a different topic than dealing with illegal immigration at the border with Mexico. He said the country needs an agricultural labor program that is affordable for farmers and sustainable. "We need immigration reform. Of course we do. And we need a solution to the border crisis, but the two are not connected," Duvall said of the farm labor challenges.

On climate policy, Duvall told convention attendees that AFBF has taken leadership role on sustainability. The group has helped co-found two different coalitions on climate, including Farmers for a Sustainable Future and the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA). The FACA coalition, which includes some environmental groups, has led to recommendations that have guided the climate discussions and legislation proposals.

"Two years ago, we saw the writing on the wall: major food companies making climate commitments with big implications for agriculture; Congress ramping-up legislative proposals; and the public was increasingly calling for climate action. We knew that if we weren't at the table, we would be on the table."

Farm Bureau has backed the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which passed the Senate last summer, but remains in the House of Representatives. That bill gives USDA authority to set standards for carbon markets.

Still, Farm Bureau is opposed to the Build Back Better bill, which includes $28 billion in funding for USDA conservation programs to increase carbon sequestration and reduce agricultural emissions. The bill also provides an avenue for biofuels to expand into aviation fuels as well. Duvall said AFBF appreciates the programs in the bill for agriculture, but the bill has no GOP backing and Democrats have not tried to include Republicans in the crafting of the bill.

"We do not appreciate not having bipartisan efforts to work together to get that done," Duvall said. "And the certainty of where that money has got to be put into agriculture is a very big concern of ours. We want that to be a bipartisan decision."

Duvall also mentioned that Farm Bureau continues to work on cattle markets. Duvall said he spoke with Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., over the bill she has introduced with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and other senators that would mandate a minimum level of negotiated cash trade in cattle markets.

"Right now, we think that bill is moving in the right direction," Duvall said, adding that Farm Bureau initially did not support the bill Grassley had introduced to mandate a minimum 50% level of negotiated cash trade.

(See "Deal on Livestock Marketing Legislation," at https://www.dtnpf.com/…)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will address the AFBF convention on Monday and the group will show a video address from President Joe Biden as well. On Tuesday, the group will hold its delegate session to set its policy book for the next year. Policy on cattle markets is expected to be one of the major debates within the group as different regions of the country have opposing views on issues such as mandated levels of cash trade.

"The policies that rule my life every day come straight from the farmer and whether or not we stick where we are at or move or modify it, that's up to our delegates," Duvall said. "And I look forward to what they tell us. We have been working with them (senators) to move it in the right direction."

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @ChrisClaytonDTN

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