ASA's top priorities for 2010 include the enactment of a retroactive extension of the biodiesel tax incentive, enactment of pending free trade agreements and ensuring that producers are not adversely impacted by climate change legislation. By developing and advocating soybean farmer top policy priorities, ASA continues its rich tradition of working in the best interest of U.S. soybean farmers. LEARN MORE
 

ASA supported enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill and opposes reopening this legislation. ASA urges Congress to maintain the current safety net for U.S. farmers through expiration of the Farm Bill in 2012. LEARN MORE
 

ASA supports immediate enactment of a retroactive extension of the biodiesel tax incentive for 2010 and a multi-year extension and restructuring of the credit beyond 2010. The retroactive extension of the biodiesel tax credit must be included on the first jobs bill enacted in 2010. LEARN MORE

ASA supports $429 million for the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative; full funding for USDA conservation programs; not less than $2.5 billion to fund international food assistance programs; and $200 million for MAP and $34.5 million for the FMD program. LEARN MORE

ASA supports the role of farm programs in providing a safety net for farm income when prices and yields decline to unprofitable levels. ASA supported the 2008 Farm Bill, but believes the current soybean loan rate and target price do not provide adequate price and income support, and are not equitable with levels for other program crops. ASA opposes including crop insurance reform and reauthorization in the next farm bill. LEARN MORE

ASA supports increasing funding for the Biotechnology Regulatory Service at APHIS/USDA by $6.0 million to accelerated approvals of pending applications for new biotech traits. ASA supports maintaining science-based processes for approval of pesticide products by EPA. LEARN MORE

ASA believes that any climate change legislation must: ensure that agriculture is not adversely impacted and can maintain international competitiveness; ensure that productive farmland is not idled in response to carbon sequestration incentives; and include a multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. LEARN MORE

ASA supports competition in all sectors of U.S. agriculture in order to enhance efficiency and reduce costs to soybean producers. LEARN MORE

ASA strongly supports all U.S. food aid programs, and uses of food in development and emergency assistance to developing nations. ASA opposes replacing U.S. food aid with cash donation. LEARN MORE

AQUACULTURE

ASA supports enactment of offshore aquaculture legislation that will create a permitting and regulatory system leading to development of a domestic offshore aquaculture industry. This legislation will create U.S. jobs and meet growing demand for a safe and sustainable source of seafood. LEARN MORE

ASA encourages the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue its efforts, including the labeling program and appropriate verification of claims, as well as other efforts to expand on the opportunities for the young U.S. biobased industry to grow and reach its full potential. LEARN MORE

ASA supports efforts to improve rail competition and address the rail transportation needs of agriculture. ASA supports maintaining the hours of service exemption that currently exists for agricultural producers for surface transportation. ASA is also monitoring truck weight limit issues to ensure that laws are set appropriately. LEARN MORE

ASA supports the Administration's efforts to expand trade through free trade agreements, and supports agreements which provide the U.S. equal or better access to foreign markets than countries grant to U.S. competitors. LEARN MORE

Each year, the American Soybean Association brings together Members of Congress, their staff, government officials and farmer leaders at a luncheon featuring a wide variety of tasty soyfoods and beverages. The annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. soybean industry to showcase a taste of the ever-expanding selection of fabulous soyfoods and beverages available today. LEARN MORE

ASA has grave concerns about the draft standard for sustainable agriculture, published as part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards setting process. The draft standard specifies that only organic and non-biotech production can qualify as "sustainable" production, effectively restricting eligibility to the 0.2 percent of commercial soybean acreage that is currently considered organic. LEARN MORE

ASA believes that soybean farmers have an obligation and commitment to produce a safe, nutritious product for domestic and international consumers. ASA supports Congressional efforts to strengthen the country's food and animal feed safety systems based upon sound science and a risk-based approach. LEARN MORE