In trying to meet the law's deadline to reassess all 9,000-plus existing pesticide tolerances by the year 2006, Farm Bureau believes EPA is taking shortcuts that could deprive farmers the use of reliable, older crop protection products while delaying approval of new replacements. Farm Bureau is supporting H.R. 1592 and companion legislation S. 1464 to ensure that EPA uses sound science and real-world data instead of the guesses and estimates the agency is now using when evaluating pesticides. While estate planning is sometimes helpful in protecting farm businesses, it is expensive and can require resources that could be better utilized in the farm operation. Withdrawals would be added to the producer's gross income for that year. As part of the conditions for membership in the World Trade Organization, China has agreed to take significant steps in opening up its markets to agricultural trade.
China is felt to be the most important growth market in the world for U.S. agricultural exports.
In order for American farmers to realize this opportunity, Congress must give China the same trading rights it extends to the other 134 nations in the World Trade Organization. In the past five years, the U.S. has imposed 61 unilateral sanctions on 35 countries. Sanctions currently prohibit U.S. farmers from exporting to six markets. Farm Bureau believes farm products should be exempt from embargoes except in cases of armed conflict. Farm Bureau supports S. 1771 and H.R. 3140 which would exempt agricultural and medical products from current and future U. S. sanctions, unless approved by Congress.