2005 AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

							 1                      2006 AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
 2
 3
 4   001 CA         NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
 5
 6   WHEREAS, Congress passed the 2002 Farm Bill creating the National Animal
 7   Identification System (NAIS), to "provide animal health officials with the capability to
 8   identify all livestock and premises that have had direct contact with a disease of concern
 9   within 48 hours after discovery", thereby protecting United States citizens against animal
10   health issues, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and bovine spongiform
11   encephalopathy (BSE) and avian influenza; and
12
13   WHEREAS, USDA's draft regulations will mandate every person who owns "livestock"
14   or "poultry" to register their home, keyed to Global Positioning System (GPS)
15   coordinates, in a giant database using unique 7 -digit premises ID numbers and assign
16   each individual farm animal that they own a unique I5-digit ID number, most likely in the
17   form of a tag applied at the birth of each animal (or immediately upon implementation of
18   NAIS), with such ID numbers also to be kept in a giant federal database; and
19
20   WHEREAS, USDA's draft regulation mandates specific reporting of numerous and
21   ordinary common "events" in each farm animal's life within 24 hours of each event; and
22
23   WHEREAS, NAIS would allow USDA to enter any registered premise to inspect, destroy
24   confiscate, or redistribute any registered animals without due process/compensation; and
25
26   WHEREAS, tracking back from packing houses can scapegoat the original producer
27   bearing no fault in the contamination; and
28
29   WHEREAS, NAIS contains no provisions for tracking any whole animal carcass, let
30   alone individual pieces, through packing plants or to retail sale to the consumer; and
31
32   WHEREAS, the costs of NAIS are beyond the benefits for small animal producers; and
33
34   WHEREAS, USDA's enforcement actions for non-participants may include a $1000/day
35   fine and prohibition from selling into commerce, creating a de facto license to farm, and
36
37   WHEREAS, tags on livestock are easily lost, and sometimes can actually be contrary to
38   good animal husbandry practices making implementation of NAIS impractical, and
39
40   WHEREAS, numerous and serious legal and constitutional infirmities in the NAIS are
41   bound to generate costly litigation for years to come; therefore be it
42
43   RESOLVED that the National Grange strongly oppose the USDA's proposed National
44   Animal Identification System.
45
46   This covers resolution 001 (CA)
 1   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
 2   Animal Care #11-12
 3
 4   (Note: This is an edited and abridged version of a four-page resolution submitted by
 5   the California State Grange. Any delegate interested in reading the original text of
 6   this resolution may request a copy from the Legislative Department office. The full
 7   RESOLVED section from this resolution is printed without editing.)
 8
 9
10   002 ME              NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
11
12   WHEREAS, the Federal Government is planning to implement a system to track farms
13   and farm animals to aid in better disease control and tracking terrorist activity, and
14
15   WHEREAS, if implemented such a system may increase meat marketing opportunities
16   for US farmers, and
17
18   WHEREAS, the system benefits both farmers and consumers, therefore be it,
19
20   RESOLVED, that the National Grange favor the implementation of the National Animal
21   Identification System provided that it will be a volunteer program by each farm.
22
23   This covers resolution 002 (ME)
24   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
25   Animal Care #11-12
26
27
28   003 NY          NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (NAIS)
29
30   WHEREAS, National Animal Identification System (NAIS) regarding pigeons, animals,
31   etc., for private and commercial use is already in effect for sheep through scrapie flock
32   and animal numbers on plastic ear tags, and individuals who raise animals for their own
33   use are exempt at this time, and
34
35   WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to implement a
36   program for identifying animals, therefore be it
37
38   RESOLVED, that the National Grange should provide information and education about
39   the National Animal Identification System.
40
41   This covers resolution 003 (NY)
42   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
43   Animal Care #11-12
44
 1
 2   004 NY        NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM COSTS
 3
 4   WHEREAS, a National Animal Identification System is needed to help protect animal
 5   agriculture from the threat of foreign or domestic disease, and
 6
 7   WHEREAS, finding the sick or exposed animal quickly in an outbreak is essential in
 8   containing the disease quickly, and
 9
10   WHEREAS, an animal identification tagging system for all animals indicated in USDA
11   Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Program Aid No.11820 including llamas,
12   alpacas, cattle/bison, deer, elk, equine, goats, poultry, sheep and swine, would be very
13   costly for producers, and
14
15   WHEREAS, sheep producers are already required to tag their animals in connection with
16   the Scrapie program, which provides the identification tags at no cost to the producer,
17   therefore be it
18
19   RESOLVED, that the National Grange requests that the National Animal Identification
20   System costs implemented by the USDA, and the cost of the materials needed to
21   implement the program be the responsibility of the federal government.
22
23   This covers resolution 004 (NY)
24   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
25   Animal Care #11-12
26
27
28   005 WA                        N.A.I.S. EXEMPTION
29
30   WHEREAS, selective breeding provided by small farms is critical to maintaining the
31   hardiness of the breed and its disease resistance; and
32
33   WHEREAS, the small farm provides the best long term husbandry in areas that are
34   unattractive to large corporate producers; and
35
36   WHEREAS, it is a key unit of national security to have a basic level of food production
37   occur locally; and
38
39   WHEREAS, small family farm operations have become increasingly costly due to
40   increased transportation and energy costs and regulatory involvement in all areas of
41   production such as water resources, animal waste management, and feed; and
42
43   WHEREAS, infectious animal diseases are not prevented by animal identification; and
44   because monitoring systems currently in place are effective for tracking animal units
45   from small producers; and
46
 1   WHEREAS, there are cultural and religious prohibitions against the registration of farms
 2   and animals; and
 3
 4   WHEREAS, large corporate stockyard operations and other large production facilities
 5   have been granted an exemption from individual tagging, thereby creating an unequal
 6   application of the NAIS proposed requirement; and
 7
 8   WHEREAS, the time-consuming, costly, and restrictive new identification and reporting
 9   procedures would duplicate existing identification systems; and
10
11   WHEREAS, the NAIS proposal would undermine rural economies; therefore be it
12
13   RESOLVED that small farm operations be exempt from meeting the proposed National
14   Animal Identification System regulations.
15
16   This covers resolution 005 (WA)
17   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
18   Animal Care #11-12
19
20
21   006 WA           NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
22
23   WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture is currently drafting a
24   mandatory National Animal Identification System for all livestock to become effective by
25   January 1, 2008; and
26
27   WHEREAS, every person owning even one individual animal will be forced to register
28   their name, address and phone number and be keyed to Global Positioning System
29   coordinates for monitoring in a great federal database that MUST be updated within
30   twenty four (24) hours of ANY change in status; and
31
32   WHEREAS, livestock in the proposed identification system may share grazing/feeding
33   areas with wild animals (birds, deer and elk) with similar, if not the same, diseases whose
34   movements and health are untraceable; and
35
36   WHEREAS, the costs to band or tag and track each individual animal will dramatically
37   increase production costs without serving to reduce disease transmission; and
38
39   WHEREAS, this program would create another gargantuan bureaucracy made up of
40   persons with no working knowledge of farming or ranching; therefore be it
41
42   RESOLVED that the National Grange have a pivotal role in developing practical
43   regulations to the National Animal Identification System.
44
45   That covers resolution 006 (WA)
 1   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
 2   Animal Care #11-12
 3
 4
 5   007 VT               STATE PREMISE REGISTRATION
 6
 7   RESOLVED, The National Grange supports the concept of a state premise registration
 8   system that helps maintain animal health and consumer confidence in our livestock
 9   industry.
10
11   This covers resolution 007 (VT)
12   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
13   Animal Care #11-12
14
15
16   008 CA          COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING FOR PRODUCERS
17
18   WHEREAS, American consumers today are often unable to distinguish U.S. agricultural
19   products from those raised in other countries when shopping in stores, and
20
21   WHEREAS, it is important for consumers to know where their ag products comes from
22   due to health concerns, and
23
24   WHEREAS, The 2002 Farm Bill requires country of origin labeling for beef, lamb, pork,
25   fish, perishable agricultural products and peanuts (has been delayed until 9/30/2008),
26   therefore be it
27
28   RESOLVED that the National Grange urge the immediate funding and implementation of
29   the present Country of Origin Labeling laws.
30
31   This covers resolution 008 (CA)
32   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 21, Agriculture, Agriculture Imports #3
33
34
35   009 CO               “COUNTRY OF ORIGIN” LABELING
36
37   WHEREAS, congress has passed Country of Origin Labeling (COL) but failed to budget
38   funds needed to implement this act; therefore be it
39
40   RESOLVED that the National Grange demand funding and implementation for the
41   "Country of Origin" labeling act for food products.
42
43   This covers resolution 009 (CO)
44   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 21, Agriculture, Agriculture Imports #3
45
 1   010 OR                FUNDING COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
 2
 3   RESOLVED that the National Grange aggressively work toward having funding
 4   approved for the “Country of Origin Labeling” (COOL) program; and further that
 5   exporting countries be responsible for the labeling in order to import into the U.S.A.
 6
 7   This covers resolution 010 (OR)
 8   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 21, Agriculture, Agriculture Imports #3
 9
10
11   011 MD                                    COOL
12
13   RESOLVED the Naitonal Grange support the implementation of Country of Origin
14   Labeling legislations on meat products.
15
16   This covers resolution 011 (MD)
17   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 21, Agriculture, Agriculture Imports #3
18
19
20   012 MD         RECOMBINANT BOVINE SOMATATROPHIN (RBST)
21
22   WHEREAS recombinant bovine Somatatrophin (rbST) has been the most tested
23   substance ever by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the milk produced by
24   treated cows was found to be just as safe and in fact no different than milk produced by
25   untreated cows; and
26
27   WHEREAS milk processors are being pressured by extremist groups to produce milk that
28   is rbST free and this will lead to the incorrect assumption that rbST free milk is somehow
29   better than other milk creating a negative image of our main product; and
30
31   WHEREAS rbST is a complex protein that is digested and broken down in the human
32   stomach whether it is natural or manufactured; and
33
34   WHEREAS many consumers are not aware that milk from cows treated with antibiotics
35   cannot be sold to the public and therefore ordinary milk and dairy products do not
36   contain antibiotics; therefore, be it
37
38   RESOLVED the National Grange discourages the promotion of rbST milk as being safer
39   or more wholesome; be further
40
41   RESOLVED if milk is sold as rbST free, a premium should be paid to the producer for
42   lost production; and be it further
43
44   RESOLVED the National Grange urges dairy education and promotion groups to better
45   educate consumers that antibiotics are not allowed in milk and dairy products that are
46   sold to the public.
 1   This covers resolution 012 (MD)
 2   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 16, Agriculture, Dairy Policy, Milk Marketing
 3   Orders, Dairy Prices, and Inspections #11.
 4
 5
 6   013 MD                               DAIRY POLICY
 7
 8   WHEREAS when multiple component pricing (MCP) was implemented it set up a „make
 9   allowance‟ dairy manufacturing plants based on 1998 operating costs and it created a
10   voluntary survey of Cheddar cheese, butter, and milk powder plants to determine the
11   value of milk components; and
12
13   WHEREAS the state of California has a mandatory survey of all milk manufacturing
14   plants, including all types of cheeses, to determine the value of milk components, and has
15   a yearly survey of these plants to determine their operating costs and thereby establish the
16   „make allowance‟; therefore, be it
17
18   RESOLVED the National Grange urge a reform of multiple component pricing in the
19   federal milk marketing order dairy system to follow the California state milk marketing
20   order model by having a mandatory survey of all dairy manufacturing plants including all
21   types of cheeses in order to determine the value of milk components for dairy pricing and
22   to establish a yearly survey of these plants to better determine their operating costs so that
23   the „make allowance‟ is set at a level that is most beneficial to both the plant operator and
24   the dairy producer to ensure a healthy dairy industry; be it further
25
26   RESOLVED any further increase in the „make allowance‟ for manufacturing plants must
27   come from the marketplace and not from the dairy producers proceeds.
28
29   This covers resolution 013 (MD)
30   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 15, Agriculture, Dairy Policy, Mild Marketing
31   Orders, Dairy Prices, and Inspections #2
32
33
34   014 CT                                 MILK PRICES
35
36   WHEREAS the price farmers are receiving for their milk today is about the same as it
37   was in 1991, about $1 per gallon, and
38
39   WHEREAS the price of milk received by the farmer has fluctuated over that period but
40   the price to the consumer has steadily increased over the same period, and
41
42   WHEREAS since Congress did not extend the Northeast Dairy Compact and farmers no
43   longer have that built-in safety net, and
44
45   WHEREAS the State currently has no mechanism to set prices fairer to farmers;
46   therefore, be it
 1   RESOLVED that the National Grange support the modification and rewriting of “The
 2   Milk Marketing Order” which hasn‟t been totally looked at in over 25 years to make it
 3   more equitable to areas that produce milk that is used predominately in fluid milk
 4   products.
 5
 6   This covers resolution 014 (CT)
 7   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 15, Agriculture, Dairy Policy, Mild Marketing
 8   Orders, Dairy Prices, and Inspections #1
 9
10
11   015 NY                                MILK PRICING
12
13   WHEREAS, the price that dairy farmers receive for their milk per hundredweight (cwt.)
14   is far below the cost of production plus a reasonable profit for their labor and investment,
15   and
16
17   WHEREAS, in the 201-210 mile zone the price that the dairy farmer received in 1980
18   was about $12.64 per cwt. and in 2006 it was only $12.71, a gain of only $0.07 cents per
19   cwt. in 26 years, and
20
21   WHEREAS, even with the advancement of technology for producing a cwt. of milk has
22   increased substantially, it does not leave a very good or reasonable margin of profit for
23   the dairy farmers‟ investment, therefore be it
24
25   RESOLVED that National Grange request a serious look into the method for pricing of
26   milk produced by dairy farmers to reflect a reasonable margin of return on farmers‟
27   investment and to provide for a reasonable living standard.
28
29   This covers resolution 015 (NY)
30   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 15, Agriculture, Dairy Policy, Mild Marketing
31   Orders, Dairy Prices, and Inspections #1
32
33
34   016 PA                          2007 MILK TAX PROPOSAL
35
36   WHEREAS, President Bush‟s 2007 Budget Proposal calls for a 3-cent per hundredweight
37   tax on dairy farmers for all milk produced; and
38
39   WHEREAS, the proposal is being requested as part of the administration‟s deficit
40   reduction plan in order to bring in an estimated $600 million to the federal treasury over
41   the next 10 years; and
42
43   WHEREAS, the 3-cent per hundredweight milk tax would be applied to producers who
44   are not in a position to pass this milk tax onto consumers; and
45
 1   WHEREAS, the budget proposal also includes a 5% cut on all farm commodity
 2   programs; and
 3
 4   WHEREAS, this is a bankrupt plan to tax hard-working dairy farmers who are already
 5   burdened by escalating fuel, utility and feed costs and declining prices for their milk
 6   product; therefore be it
 7
 8   RESOLVED that the National Grange oppose the section of the 2007 Federal Budget
 9   Proposal which calls for the 3-cent per hundredweight milk tax and the 5% cut called for
10   in the commodity payments.
11
12   This covers resolution 016 (PA)
13
14
15   017 CO                        HORSE SLAUGHTER
16
17   WHEREAS, many horses cannot survive because of health, loss of teeth, surplus
18   numbers and other reasons it has been legal to humanely slaughter horses; and
19
20   WHEREAS, there is a congressional bill pending that would make it unlawful to
21   slaughter these horses; and
22
23   WHEREAS, the only alternative in most cases would be a slow death; therefore be it
24
25   RESOLVED, that the National Grange support the existing laws of allowing horses
26   to be humanely slaughtered; and be it further
27
28   RESOLVED that the National Grange oppose any legislation that will prohibit the
29   humane slaughter of horses.
30
31   This covers resolution 017 (CO)
32   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 19, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
33   Animal Care #13
34
35
36   018 ID                  OPPOSE BAN ON HORSE SLAUGHTER
37
38   WHEREAS: House Bill 503 was passed by the National House of Representatives
39   outlawing the commercial slaughter and food processing of horses; and
40
41   WHEREAS: This legislation, if also passed by the Senate, will cause serious harm to the
42   horse industry in this country; and
43
44   WHEREAS: Approximately 100,000 horses that should be put down each year for one
45   reason or another, will have to be destroyed in some other way, and will cost government
 1   agencies millions to handle, plus costing the horse industry millions of dollars each year
 2   from lost sales to foreign countries; and
 3
 4   WHEREAS: Virtually every agriculture organization and equine organization in the
 5   United States attempted to persuade the House members to vote against this legislation;
 6   and
 7
 8   WHEREAS: If the U.S. Senate passes similar legislation, it can set a serious precedent
 9   for other livestock operations; therefore be it
10
11   RESOLVED, that the National Grange oppose the banning of commercial horse
12   slaughter.
13
14   This covers resolution 018 (ID)
15   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 19, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
16   Animal Care #13
17
18
19   019 MD                                HORSE SLAUGHTER
20
21   WHEREAS approximately 90,000 horses are slaughtered each year in foreign-owned
22   slaughterhouses for export to Europe and Asia; and
23
24   WHEREAS the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that prohibits the
25   slaughter of horses for human consumption; and
26
27   WHEREAS no provision has been made for sanctuaries to house and care for these
28   horses if the bill becomes law and instead these horses may be starved, neglected, and
29   uncared for, with over 200 organizations including the American Veterinary Medical
30   Associations, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter
31   Horse Association, and the American Paint Horse Association joining in opposition to
32   this bill; and
33
34   WHEREAS the acres necessary to care for these extra 90,000 horses per year may be
35   needed for food or ethanol production; therefore, be it
36
37   RESOLVED the National Grange oppose legislations which bans the slaughter of horses
38   for human consumption.
39
40   This covers resolution 019 (MD)
41   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 19, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
42   Animal Care #13
43
44
 1
 2   020 CO       INCLUSION OF ANIMAL WASTE IN THE SUPERFUND ACT
 3
 4   WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
 5   Act, commonly called the Superfund Act, addresses many serious environmental
 6   contamination and pollution issues; and
 7
 8   WHEREAS, there are pressures from environmental interests to classify and include
 9   livestock manure as a toxic waste; and
10
11   WHEREAS, such a classification will cause farmers, stockmen and feedlots much extra
12   expense and problems in complying with such a law; therefore be it
13
14   RESOLVED, that National Grange work to prevent the inclusion of livestock manure as
15   a toxic waste in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
16   Liability Act; and be it further
17
18   RESOLVED, that National Grange support legislation to prevent the inclusion of manure
19   as a hazard to the public.
20
21   This covers resolution 020 (CO)
22   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 18, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
23   Animal Care #9
24
25
26   021 OH             EXEMPTION OF MANURE FROM SUPERFUND LIST
27
28   WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency wants to list manure as toxic waste on
29   the Super Fund List, and
30
31   WHEREAS, manure has not been called toxic waste and is in fact a nutrient to be used as
32   fertilizer, and
33
34   WHEREAS, if this happens there will be liability put on everybody that has any thing to
35   do with livestock production. This would include feed companies, equipment companies
36   and other suppliers. If an application company were to incorrectly apply the manure it
37   would put liability on the farm that it came from and all the suppliers that had anything to
38   do with the farm; therefore be it
39
40   RESOLVED that the National Grange oppose the listing of manure as a toxic waste.
41
42   This covers resolution 021 (OH)
43   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 18, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
44   Animal Care #9
 1
 2   022 OK                           SUPERFUND REFORM
 3
 4   WHEREAS if normal animal manure is found to be a hazardous substance under
 5   Superfund laws, and
 6
 7   WHEREAS virtually every farm in the US could then be potentially exposed to liabilities
 8   and penalties under the superfund law, and
 9
10   WHEREAS the US congress has bills which would clarify that the Superfund does not
11   apply to animal manure nutrients, therefore be it
12
13   RESOLVED the National Grange support legislation that clarifies that animal manure is
14   not a hazardous substance.
15
16   This covers resolution 022 (OK)
17   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 18, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
18   Animal Care #9
19
20
21   023 NE                       NATIONAL FARM PROGRAM
22
23   BE IT RESOLVED that the National Grange support a national farm program that
24   contains the following provisions:
25
26          1) Continuation of a regulated CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) program,
27             which places highest priority on highly erodible soils.
28          2) An agricultural products reserve program (preferably farmer owned) to isolate
29             a portion of our crop production from the market until prices increase enough
30             to reach a release level (i.e. 125% of loan rate) in connection with this would
31             be a grain storage facility loan program to enable farmers to be in a better
32             position to take advantage of storage payments.
33          3) Total payments from all government farm programs to each natural person
34             should be limited to $80,000 per year per person.
35          4) Import and export policies be adopted and administered to ensure a level
36             playing field for all producers (i.e. export enhancement program).
37          5) That the term of CCC (Commodity Credit Corporation) commodity loans be
38             12 months.
39          6) Price support payments must be paid out on a counter cyclical basis that will
40             increase the per unit payment to the producers suffering the largest loss below
41             the normal yield, and reduce the per unit payment for producers whose
42             production is over a normal yield.
43          7) Continuation and expansion of the CSP (Conservation Security Program) on a
44             national basis.
45          8) A one-year extension of the 2002 Farm Bill.
 1          9) Farm disaster payments be available only if federal crop revenue coverage
 2             insurance is not available.
 3
 4   This covers resolution 023 (NE)
 5   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12-14,28, Agriculture, Federal Programs,
 6   Commodity Loans, Target Prices, and Farm Storage Programs #1-10; Conservation
 7   Reserve and Agriculture Conservation Programs #1-5; Disaster Assistance and Risk
 8   Management #1-3
 9
10
11   024 OK                                FARM BILL
12
13   WHEREAS, we oppose any dollar reduction of budgeted items in the 2007 farm bill over
14   the previous bill, and
15
16   WHEREAS, This is especially important for the commodity section of the farm bill to be
17   on equal basis with one another, therefore be it
18
19   RESOLVED, the National Grange favors increasing the wheat target price to $5.29 per
20   bushel, and direct payments to $1.19 per bushel in the 2007 farm bill.
21
22   This covers resolution 024 (OK)
23   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12-14,28, Agriculture, Disaster Assistance and
24   Risk Management #5
25
26
27   025 PA                         2007 FARM BILL
28
29   WHEREAS, the 2007 Farm Bill is being considered and proposals have been put forth by
30   the White House; and
31
32   WHEREAS, the proposal; and
33
34   WHEREAS, National Grange passed policy at the 2005 National Session to support this
35   policy, however, increasing money to land owners while decreasing money to active
36   farmers is going to hurt these active farmers; therefore be it
37
38   RESOLVED, that the National Grange review policy passed in 2005 supporting increases
39   in spending for conservation and decreases in spending for commodity subsidies; and,
40   instead, strongly oppose decreasing payments for crop subsidies to active farmers while,
41   at the same time, increase payments to landowners for conservation projects.
42
43   This covers resolution 025 (PA)
44   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12-14,28, Agriculture, Federal Programs,
45   Commodity Loans, Target Prices, and Farm Storage Programs #10; Conservation
46   Reserve and Agriculture Conservation Programs #5
 1   026 WI                       FARM PROGRAM
 2
 3   WHEREAS, the farm program will be up for renewal next year, and
 4
 5   WHEREAS, the present farm program is giving the farmer good protection, therefore be
 6   it
 7
 8   RESOLVED, that the US Congress extend the present farm program.
 9
10   This covers resolution 026 (WI)
11   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12-14,28, Agriculture, Federal Programs,
12   Commodity Loans, Target Prices, and Farm Storage Programs #10; Conservation
13   Reserve and Agriculture Conservation Programs #5
14
15
16   027 PA                       FARM BILL-MILC PROGRAM
17
18   WHEREAS, the 2002 Farm Bill established the MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract)
19   Program to provide a safety net to dairy farmers low milk prices; and
20
21   WHEREAS, legislation is now under consideration for the 2007 Farm Bill; therefore be it
22
23   RESOLVED, that the National Grange support re-authorization of the MILC Program in
24   the 2007 Farm Bill.
25
26   This covers resolution 027 (PA)
27   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 15, Agriculture, Dairy Policy, Mild Marketing
28   Orders, Dairy Prices, and Inspections #14
29
30
31   028 MD                     INTERNATIONAL TRADE TALKS
32
33   WHEREAS the 2002 Farm Bill provides for direct and counter-cyclical program
34   payments to serve as a safety net for U.S. farmers, especially in times of low commodity
35   prices; and
36
37   WHEREAS conservation talk show hosts are trying to end these programs and
38   environmental activists want this money transferred to conservation programs which
39   generally take the land out of production; and
40
41   WHEREAS the European Union, which heavily subsidizes its own farmers is attempting
42   to do the same in the Doha round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks; and
43
44   WHEREAS some commodity programs such as the cotton program is being unfairly
45   blamed for low prices paid to farmers in developing nations even though these farmers
46   are paid far below the world price by their corrupt governments; therefore, be it
 1   RESOLVED the National Grange urge the U.S. Trade Representative at the Doha Round
 2   of the WTO trade talks work to maintain the safety net programs for farm commodities in
 3   the 2002 Farm Bill and not allow them to be eliminated by the WTO; and be it further
 4
 5   RESOLVED the National Grange renew its commitment to conservation programs but
 6   that they should be funded on their own merit.
 7
 8   This covers resolution 028 (MD)
 9   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 20-21, Agriculture, Agriculture Trade Policy
10   #1
11
12
13   029 OK                       DISASTER ASSISTANCE
14
15   WHEREAS, Oklahoma has had to apply for assistance the past several years with
16   drought conditions prevailing, and
17
18   WHEREAS, the contagious results of a drought disaster can impact the producer far
19   beyond the year of occurrence, therefore be it
20
21   RESOVED, the National Grange support making disaster assistance to U.S. agriculture a
22   permanent program as part of the 2007 Farm Bills.
23
24   This covers resolution 029 (OK)
25   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 28, Agriculture, Disaster Assistance and Risk
26   Management #1-4
27
28
29   030 CA               GENETICALLY ALTERED MATERIAL
30
31   WHEREAS, we do not yet know how genetically modified food will effect human health
32   on a long term basis, and
33
34   WHEREAS, consumers should have the option to know if they are using genetically
35   modified food or not; therefore be it
36
37   RESOLVED, that the National Grange support requirement that all foods or products
38   with genetically modified ingredients disclose that fact on the label.
39
40   This covers resolution 030 (CA)
41
42   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 26, Agriculture, Biotechnology Policy,
43   Research and Application to Agriculture #3
44
45
 1   031 IL                CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
 2
 3   WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture encourages farmers and land
 4   owners to put highly erodible farm land in the CRP Program for a contracted term, and
 5
 6   WHEREAS, from year to year the rules change as to what can and cannot be done on
 7   these acreages, such as mowing, chopping, spraying, doing nothing, etc, therefore be it
 8
 9   RESOLVED, that the National Grange support the establishment of a guideline for the
10   Conservation Reserve Program and strictly adhere to the initial conditions and not change
11   them during the term of the contract.
12
13   This covers resolution 031 (IL)
14   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 13-14, Agriculture, Conservation Reserve and
15   Agriculture Conservation Programs #1-3;
16
17
18   032 MI                ABANDONED - NEGLECTED ORCHARDS
19
20   WHEREAS, abandoned-neglected orchards pose significant problems because of
21   increased insect and disease pressure, and
22
23   WHEREAS, this is significantly increases grower costs, and
24
25   WHEREAS, EQUIP programs do not affect non farmers with abandoned planting‟s, and
26   therefore be it
27
28   RESOLVED that the National Grange support legislation that will indemnify property
29   owners for removal of abandoned and/or neglected orchards.
30
31   This covers resolution 032 (MI)
32
33
34   033 NE            INTERNATIONAL TEFF RESEARCH (ETHIOPIA)
35
36   WHEREAS, the four “Agriculture” policy statements of the National Grange 2006
37   Legislative Policies (page 25) titled Research and Extension are embodied in the Joint
38   Teff Research Bridging Ethiopia and Kansas/Nebraska concept proposal to the Bill and
39   Melinda Gates Foundation for Global Development grant funding to the Solomon Valley
40   RC&D (Stockton, KS) on behalf of the Kansas Black Farmers Association, therefore be it
41
42   RESOLVED that the National Grange support the Teff Research Bridging Ethiopia and
43   Kansas/Nebraska concept proposal to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Global
44   Development that will pursue cooperative farming and marketing practices that will raise
45   income and pricing control of internationally cooperating smallholder farmers.
46
 1   This covers resolution 033 (NE)
 2   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 25-26, Agriculture, Research and Extension
 3   #1-4
 4
 5
 6   034 NH                       INDUSTRIAL HEMP
 7
 8   WHEREAS, Federal Indian law permits tribes to continue to cultivate and harvest today
 9   that which they were doing when they signed treaties with the U.S. Government, and
10
11   WHEREAS, the Lakota Nation was growing Industrial Hemp for seed and fiber when
12   they entered into the signed treaties of 1851 and 1868 with the U.S. Government, and
13
14   WHEREAS, Industrial Hemp is legally imported today into the United States, and
15
16   WHEREAS, Alex White Plume of the Lakota Tribe desires, and has the capability, to
17   grow industrial hemp on his land on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota,
18   regardless of the confiscation of hemp crops by the DEA for the past three consecutive
19   years, therefore be it
20
21   RESOLVED, that the National Grange support, through legislation, education, and
22   publicity the growing of industrial hemp in the United States, and bit it further
23
24   RESOLVED, that the National Grange support through legislation, education, publicity,
25   and other means, the Oglala Sioux tribe, Alex White Plume and his family, and the
26   Lakota Nation living on Pine Ridge Reservation, their efforts to grow, harvest, and sell
27   industrial hemp.
28
29   This covers resolution 034 (NH)
30   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 29, Agriculture, Miscellaneous #4
31
32
33   035 OR        ALLOW FARMER SAVING OR “BROWN BAGGING” SEED
34
35   RESOLVED that the right to save seed for future on farm use (“Brown Bag” seed)
36   should be protected by law; and be it further
37
38   RESOLVED that no farmer should be subjected to fines or penalties for planting seeds
39   from plants grown on the farm.
40
41   This covers resolution 035 (OR)
42
43
44   036 OR            PROTECT FARM BUSINESS FROM LAWSUITS
45
46   RESOLVED that the National Grange support the passage of “Right-to-Farm” laws.
 1
 2   This covers resolution 036 (OR)
 3   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12, Agriculture, Family Farm Policies and
 4   Farm Preservation Programs #1
 5
 6
 7   037 TN                         AGRI-TOURISM
 8
 9   WHEREAS many people are looking for “unique” ways to spend vacations or weekends,
10   and
11
12   WHEREAS, a visit to a farm or agriculture-related activity can be both enjoyable and
13   educational for all ages; therefore be it
14
15   RESOLVED that the National Grange urge the promotion of Agri-Tourism throughout
16   the nation.
17
18   This covers resolution 037 (TN)
19   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 11, Agriculture, Family Farm Policies and
20   Farm Preservation Programs #1
21
22
23   038 MA            SMALL SCALE AND ORGANIC FARMING
24
25   WHEREAS, the Grange is predicated on agriculture and its basis as a way of life; and
26
27   WHEREAS, New England agricultural endeavors rely greatly on small and part time
28   family farming; and
29
30   WHEREAS, the potential membership of Granges everywhere depends on those “who
31   have an interest in agriculture”, both large-scale, but more importantly, small-scale; and
32
33   RESOLVED, that the National Grange add to its program a strong policy of recognizing
34   and advocating for 1.) small-scale farming and 2.) the organic farming movement as an
35   alternative option to current large-scale farming methods, and be it further
36
37   RESOLVED that the National Grange and its membership acknowledge that there is a
38   place for all in agriculture, and re-acknowledge the Grange‟s progressive grassroots
39   beginnings.
40
41   This covers resolution 038 (MA)
42   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 11, Agriculture, Family Farm Policies and
43   Farm Preservation Programs #1-6
 1
 2
 3   039 CO         THREAT OF BIO TERRORISM TO AGRICULTURE
 4
 5   WHEREAS, agriculture is concentrated; and
 6
 7   WHEREAS, bio terrorism is a threat to homeland security; therefore be it
 8
 9   RESOLVED that National Grange be in support of and make the public aware of the
10   importance of diversified small farm agricultural production to increase agricultural self-
11   sufficiency of states, regions and localities.
12
13   This covers resolution 039 (CO)
14   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12, Agriculture, Family Farm Policies and
15   Farm Preservation Programs #9
16
17
18   040 NC                    NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY
19
20   WHEREAS, the security of the United States is a greater issue than simple military
21   preparedness or border security; and
22
23   WHEREAS, a nation must feed its citizens and provide sources of energy to run its
24   industries as well as heat and cool their homes and provide for the transportation of
25   goods; and
26
27   WHEREAS, the dependence on foreign petroleum has left the nation with insecure
28   sources of energy; and
29
30   WHEREAS, the loss of farmers in the United States due to economic conditions that
31   favor production of grain, cattle and other commodities around the world has placed the
32   future of food self-sufficiency in time of emergency in question; and
33
34   WHEREAS, the United States has the opportunity to develop new sources of energy
35   through solar, hydroelectric, wind and thermal energy, as well as the development of
36   agri-fuels such as bio-diesel and ethanol. The nation should also encourage exploration
37   for new sources of natural gas and oil. This should occur while seeking the technology to
38   improve production and economics from existing wells and providing environmentally
39   acceptable means of utilizing coal for power; and
40
41   WHEREAS, the age of farmers is increasing annually due both to the lack of interest in
42   young people entering the profession and the loss of existing farms due to the poor return
43   on investment and labor. Farmland nationwide is being prematurely developed for non-
44   farm use. This trend has caused the loss of the infrastructure necessary for supplying the
45   existing farms; and
46
 1   WHEREAS, that the National Grange encourages Congress and the President to
 2   recognize and establish as a national priority, the full range of Food Security issues and
 3   the development of a self-sufficient Energy policy.
 4
 5   RESOLVED, that the National Grange encourage Congress and the President to
 6   recognize and establish as a national priority, the full range of Food Security issues and
 7   the development of a self-sufficient energy policy.
 8
 9   This covers resolution 040 (NC)
10   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12, Agriculture, Family Farm Policies and
11   Farm Preservation Programs #9
12
13
14   041 MD                        LIVESTOCK HOUSING
15
16   WHEREAS animal rights groups such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
17   (PETA), Farm Sanctuary, and the Human Society of the United States are supporting and
18   promoting legislation and ballot initiatives to criminalize the use of certain types of
19   confinement housing, especially veal and farrrowing crates; and
20
21   WHEREAS the American Veterinary Medical Association has taken an exhaustive look
22   at research companies individual stall and group pen housing and has concluded that
23   individual housing is no more psychologically stressful than group housing; and
24
25   WHEREAS these laws have not helped small family farms operations when they have
26   been passes; therefore, be it
27
28   RESOLVED the National Grange continue its support of humane, generally accepted
29   good husbandry practices when dealing with animal welfare issues and oppose any
30   attempts to legislate a ban on these practices on the local, state, or federal level.
31
32   This covers resolution 041 (MD)
33   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 17-18, Agriculture, Livestock Production and
34   Animal Care #6-7
35
36
37   042 MD             ANIMAL WELFARE AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES
38
39   WHEREAS Temple Grandin, associate professor of animal science at Colorado State
40   University was commissioned by USDA to do a study to measure animal welfare at
41   slaughter plants; and
42
43   WHEREAS Grandin developed a 10-point objective scoring system for the American
44   Meat Institute (AMI) to audit conditions in those plants, works with those plants to
45   correct problems, and has discovered small details that frighten animals; and
46
 1   WHEREAS the Steward‟s charge in the 1st Degree instructs Grange members to practice
 2   mercy and compassion towards domestic animals, treat them with kindness, and protect
 3   them from abuse; therefore, be it
 4
 5   RESOLVED that the National Grange commend professor Temple Grandin, associate
 6   professor of animal science at Colorado State University, for her work to improve
 7   conditions at slaughter plants; be it further
 8
 9   RESOLVED the National Grange urge all slaughter plants to use the AMI 10-point
10   scoring system animal welfare audit and utilize Professor Grandin‟s research to eliminate
11   any problems such as noise, uneven lighting, and sudden movements that unnecessarily
12   detracts from the welfare of animals at slaughter plants.
13
14   This covers resolution 042 (MD)
15   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 19, Agriculture, Food and Meat Inspection
16   Programs #1
17
18
19   043 MD                    AMMONIUM BASED FERTILIZER
20
21   WHEREAS there is a problem of terrorists using ammonium based fertilizer in the
22   making of homemade bombs, and
23
24   WHEREAS the convenience of purchasing Ammonium Based Fertilizer can be made
25   from any agriculture supply business without any question asked, and
26
27   WHEREAS it is a necessary product for the small and large farmer in planting of many
28   crops; therefore, be it
29
30   RESOLVED that some form of Photo ID and some form of Agriculture ID such as a
31   nutrient management voucher or pesticide applicators certificate, etc. must be presented
32   in order to buy ammonium based fertilizer.
33
34   This covers resolution 043 (MD)
35   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 24, Agriculture, Chemicals for Agriculture:
36   Weed, Pest and Predator Control #3-4
37
38
39   044 NY         POULTRY AND FOOD PROCESSING OUT-OF-COUNTRY
40
41   WHEREAS, there are reported cases of Bird Flu and deaths from it in China, Indonesia
42   and other countries, and
43
44   WHEREAS, there had been consideration of a request from China to process poultry,
45   which had been slaughtered in the United States, but shipped to China for processing, and
46
 1   WHEREAS, we should avoid any possibility of spreading disease to the United States,
 2   therefore be it
 3
 4   RESOLVED, that National Grange oppose any plan to ship poultry or any other food for
 5   processing to another country, when we have companies who can do the processing here
 6   under stricter health regulations.
 7
 8   This covers resolution 044 (NY)
 9   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 21, Agriculture, Agriculture Imports 1-2
10
11
12   045 OK         CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
13
14   WHEREAS, eliminating the Conservation Reserve Program would save the government
15   over $12 billion in CRP payments across the period 2007-2015, and
16
17   WHEREAS, increased production and lower prices caused by former CRP acreage
18   returning to production could cause an increase in government payments of $45 billion
19   over the same 9 year period, therefore be it
20
21   RESOLVED the USDA keep the Conservation Reserve Program in force.
22
23   This covers resolution 045 (OK)
24   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 12, Agriculture, Conservation Reserve and
25   Agriculture Conservation Programs #1-5
26
27
28   046 MD                      FARMLAND PROTECTION
29
30   WHEREAS the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) is a federal
31   land preservation program that works with Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation
32   Fund and county land preservation programs. Its requirements have become extremely
33   burdensome in the last 3 years including the time necessary to go to settlement, the cost
34   of meeting the additional title review, appraisal, and additional deed restriction requested
35   of landowners; therefore, be it
36
37   RESOLVED the National Grange support the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation
38   Fund, the Carroll County land Preservation Board, and the American Farmland Trust in
39   their efforts to reform the cumbersome new regulations of the Federal Farm and Ranch
40   Lands Protection Program.
41
42   This covers resolution 046 (MD)
43   See 2006 Legislative Policy Manuel, Page 11-12, Agriculture, Family Farm Policies and
44   Farm Preservation Programs #7
45
46
 1   047 MI                       PROCESSOR BANKRUPTCY
 2
 3   WHEREAS, fruit and vegetable growers are not considered secured creditors in
 4   bankruptcy transactions, and therefore be it
 5
 6   RESOLVED, that National Grange support legislation which would put fruit and
 7   vegetable growers as secured creditors in bankruptcy cases.
 8
 9   This covers resolution 047 (MI)
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