Milling & Baking News - July 25, 2023 - 24

TUES | 07 25 2023
ABA REQUESTS SUGAR PROGRAM
CHANGES, RETAINING SNAP IN
FARM BILL
WASHINGTON - The American Bakers
Association during meetings on Capitol Hill
on July 12 about the farm bill identified four
priorities that should be addressed in the 2023
legislation.
First, the ABA asked Congress to modernize
the US sugar program so the US Department
of Agriculture may better respond to changing
market demands. Second, Congress should retain
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
choice for recipients.
The ABA also asked Congress to increase
wheat production to meet domestic and global
demand through sustainable opportunities,
creating tools such as expanding the definition
of cover crops to allow for harvested food use
and keeping the Conservation Reserve Program
acreage cap steady. Finally, Congress in the farm
bill should maintain a strong USDA research
infrastructure, emphasizing strong wheat quality
research to keep America competitive globally.
ABA members took part in 13 meetings during
the day that included federal agency officials and
members of Congress.
" For the 2023 farm bill, it has been especially
important to drive our industry's priorities in
partnership with a broader group of DC-based
associations, " said Lee Sanders, senior vice
president, government relations and public affairs
for the ABA. " That said, our biggest partners are
our members. Our members can illustrate with
real-life examples how farm bill policies impact
day-to-day decisions. ABA ensures industry stories
are heard by the policy influencers who craft
provisions in the farm bill. "
Every five years Congress passes legislation
that sets national commodity, trade, nutrition
programs, energy and research policy. The most
recent farm bill was known as the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018.
" It's because of ABA's constant policy efforts
in DC that we as members are able to come in
and have efficient, impactful discussions with
policymakers on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies, "
said Hayden Wands, vice president of global
procurement, commodities for Grupo Bimbo SAB
de CV. " ABA's expertise in helping bakers and
suppliers connect the dots between policy and
practicality makes advocacy approachable and
effective for those of us who don't do these sorts
of meetings every day. We are confident with ABA
in our corner, we can make a difference in helping
lawmakers understand the farm bill's impacts on
the wholesale baking industry. " MBN
300% more for nitrogen than I did last
year. Who can absorb that in their budget
and continue to operate? No one can. "
Mr. Duvall further stated the safety net
and risk management tools provided in
the farm bill had a greater purpose than
just providing crop insurance.
" A country that cannot feed itself and
its people is not secure, so a strong farm
policy that supports a strong food supply
truly is part of a smart national security
strategy, " he said.
" According to USDA, 50% of farms have
negative farm income, " said Minnesota
Senator Tina Smith, chairperson for the
agriculture, nutrition and forestry subcommittee.
" Farmers, ranchers, dairy farmers,
poultry and livestock producers are at the
center of our economy, our food system, and
our national security, and there is nothing
more important to our country than a stable,
secure, healthy food supply. And that
means we need stable, secure producers
that have the tools you need to weather the
ups and downs of agriculture. "
In a recent letter sent to Congress,
nearly 100 food and farmworker groups
implored lawmakers to include legislation
within the next farm bill that would not
only protect the farm and farm owners
but also its laborers.
" The next farm bill is an opportunity for
Congress to ensure the safety and resilience
of the food supply chain by protecting and
supporting the people who plant, harvest,
process, transport, sell and serve our food,
as well as those who administer our food
programs, " the June 9 letter stated.
While the battle for 2023 farm bill dollars
moves toward the finish line in both
chambers of Congress, Mr. Thompson
earlier this year put the budget for the bill
into perspective:
" All mandatory spending within it
constitutes less than 2% of all federal
spending, " he said. " When you drill down
further, the farm safety net - commodity
programs and crop insurance combined
- make up just two-tenths of one percent
of all federal spending. The return on this
investment is incredible when you consider
there's 43 million jobs and over $7
trillion in economic activity attributed to
the food and agriculture sector. " MBN
- Crystal Futrell
24 MILLING & BAKING NEWS
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Milling & Baking News - July 25, 2023

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