On behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) on Monday asked a federal district court in South Carolina to stay its order striking a rule that delayed implementation of the flawed 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule. Without a stay, the court order has the effect of immediately reviving and implementing the controversial WOTUS rule …
Ag Groups Respond to WOTUS Ruling
Last week’s federal court ruling lifting a delay on the controversial, Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule has drawn a swift rebuke by key farm groups. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duval calls the South Carolina U.S. District Court ruling that upends a Trump EPA delay of WOTUS until 2020 while the agency rewrites WOTUS, “misguided.” Here …
American Farm Bureau Coalition Fights to Stop Illegal 2015 WOTUS Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation and a broad coalition of business organizations have notified the federal district court in South Carolina they will appeal that court’s ruling yesterday that revived the overbroad, vague and illegal 2015 Waters of the United States Rule and made it the law of the land in 26 states. In a separate filing, the same coalition …
Farm Bureau: Now, More Than Ever, We Must Ditch the Rule
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Due to a misguided ruling by a single federal district court, the overbroad, vague and illegal 2015 Waters of the United States Rule is now the law of the land in twenty-six states. “To avoid widespread uncertainty and potential enforcement against ordinary farming activities in these already-uncertain …
Deliver a Farm Bill before Current Law Expires
America’s two largest farm groups are delivering a loud message to farm bill negotiators: ‘Don’t get hung up on differences, deliver a farm bill before current law expires, September 30th. With the lowest farm income in 12-years and a tariff war depleting U.S. market share overseas, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), National Farmers Union NFU) and more than 150 other …
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Offers Startup Funds for Entrepreneurs
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, today opened online applications for its 2019 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Entrepreneurs will compete for $145,000 in startup funds. The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations in agriculture. This is the fifth year of the Challenge, which is the first national business competition focused exclusively …
Farming Groups Call for Swift Farm Bill Passage
The two largest farming groups in the United States called for swift passage of the farm bill by a congressional conference committee. Faced with the lowest farm income in 12 years, the presidents of the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union are asking Senate and House conferees to move quickly. Everything from commodity price supports to childhood nutrition, …
New State Authority Over Local Waters a Boon to Farmers and Ranchers
The Trump administration’s decision to return water-permitting authority to more states means faster, better and more affordable decision-making for all Americans. Under terms of an agreement signed by the U.S. Army, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Justice Department and the White House, states can assume authority to issue permits for earth moving in and around regulated waterways, wetlands and land …
Farm Bureau Response to Navarro’s ‘Rounding Error’ Statement
The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “White House trade advisor Peter Navarro’s recent comments that the damage this trade war is doing to certain sectors of the U.S. economy, of which we all know includes agriculture, is little more than a ‘rounding error’ are out of touch with the pain our farmers …
Farm Bureau Supports Endangered Species Act Reforms
The following statement may be attributed to Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation: “The Western Caucus introduced eight separate bills to reform the Endangered Species Act. The ESA, despite the good intentions it was built on, has failed in recovering endangered wildlife. Instead, it has threatened our ability to make productive use of the land. Perhaps the …