NFU Board Urges Congress Not to Abandon 2013 Farm Bill
US - In a resolution adopted yesterday (9 December) by the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors, Congress was urged to remain in session until the completion of the 2013 Farm Bill.The following is the text of the resolution:
"The National Farmers Union Board of Directors calls upon the US Congress to remain in Washington, D.C., until it passes, and the president signs, a comprehensive five-year farm bill into law this year. The current farm bill has been allowed to expire twice and farmers, ranchers, fishermen and rural Americans deserve the certainty of a five-year farm bill.
"We strongly object to any legislative change made to Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) in the farm bill conference. Any such tampering is unwarranted as the World Trade Organization process is ongoing and consumers overwhelmingly want and deserve to know where their food comes from.
"Congress should stay in town and finish its work on behalf of the 16 million people directly employed in agriculture. All Americans are affected by the lack of a farm bill because of the important role it plays in nutrition, conservation, renewable energy, rural development and many other areas."