CapitalPress.com
Friday, December 17, 2021
Ag groups urge Senate to
move on shipping reform
By CAROL RYAN DUMAS
Capital Press
Agricultural groups are
calling on the U.S. Senate
to act quickly on the Ocean
Shipping Reform Act, which
passed overwhelmingly in the
House last week.
The bill, introduced by
Reps. John Garamendi, D-Ca-
lif., and Dusty Johnson,
R-S.D., passed 364-60 in the
House.
The Agricultural Transpor-
tation Coalition said it looks
forward to similar support in
the Senate, as well as an ener-
getic response to unreasonable
carrier practices by the Federal
Maritime Commission and
constructive engagement with
ocean carriers.
House passage of the bill is
a strong start, but there is more
to be done “to assure a sup-
ply chain that serves not only
agriculture exporters but all of
U.S. commerce,” the coalition
said in a statement. “Our pref-
erence remains to fi nd com-
mercial solutions. Legislation
should be, and in this case is,
the last resort.”
The
American
Farm
Bureau Federation said con-
gestion and related logistical
obstacles threaten U.S. farm-
ers’ and ranchers’ ability to
meet much-welcome increases
in foreign demand.
The bill would provide new
oversight and enforcement
authority to the Federal Mar-
itime Commission, expand
opportunities for shippers to
seek redress from ocean carri-
ers and increase transparency
Krysta
Harden
Zippy
Duvall
and accountability among
ocean carriers and other
parties.
“Accessibility to export
containers has been further
limited by record shipping
costs and harmful surcharges.
With these factors combined,
the ability for farmers and
ranchers to fulfi ll oversees
contracts has been signifi cantly
impacted, with some estima-
tions nearing $1.5 billion in
lost agricultural exports,” said
Zippy Duvall, American Farm
Bureau Federation president.
The North American Meat
Institute said the bill would
improve the Federal Mari-
time Commission’s ability to
enforce its interpretive rule
on predatory detention and
demurrage fees and prohibit
ocean carriers from continuing
to unreasonably decline export
bookings.
“The problems at our ports
have been exacerbated by the
unreasonable practices of for-
eign-owned ocean carriers,
including delays of shipments
of American-made goods to
overseas trading partners,”
said Julie Anna Potts, Meat
Institute president and CEO.
“These delays result in
major costs to meat and poul-
try companies as their perish-
able products await transport,”
Idaho Farm Bureau adopts
new land-protection policy
she said.
U.S. Dairy
Export Coun-
cil and National
Milk Produc-
ers Federation
said congressio-
nal reform of the
Julie
Shipping Act is
Anna Potts
one vital piece
in alleviating the
shipping crisis.
The bill is “an import-
ant move toward ensuring
the international competitive-
ness of our dairy producers is
not unfairly limited by abuses
from ocean carriers,” said Jim
Mulhern, NMPF president and
CEO.
Reform is needed to “alle-
viate the short-term conges-
tion and to ensure that the rep-
utation of the United States as
a reliable supplier is not fur-
ther jeopardized,” said Krysta
Harden, USDEC president and
CEO.
The legislation will help
ensure fairer shipping practices
and standards for U.S. agricul-
tural exports, said Dave Puglia,
president and CEO of Western
Growers.
“The ongoing supply chain
and marine port challenges are
restricting our farmers’ ability
to reach oversees opportuni-
ties,” he said.
Leah Wilkinson, vice pres-
ident of public policy and
education for the Ameri-
can Feed Industry Associa-
tion, said the logjams at U.S.
ports have blocked the export
of members’ products, result-
ing in steep fi nancial losses
and irreversible friction with
international customers.
By BRAD CARLSON
Capital Press
Preserving agricultural land as the state
population grows is the focus of a new Idaho
Farm Bureau Federation policy.
The policy calls for helping legislators
Carol Ryan Dumas/Capital Press File
develop a plan to preserve farmland. It sup-
ports “legislation to protect agricultural land The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation is
through voluntary agreements and programs joining the eff ort to preserve farmland
across the state.
based on incentives.”
Voting delegates from county Farm
Bureaus across the state adopted it during we are not making enough on our crops”
the Idaho Farm Bureau’s annual meeting comparatively.
A site sold for development can fetch a
Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Fort Hall. The organiza-
tion does not yet have a detailed plan but big premium, “but if it was making enough
will involve farmers and ranchers in devel- money, it would never get changed,” Wine-
gar said. A voluntary preservation program
oping one.
“This policy is for Farm Bureau to have that includes a fi nancial incentive to keep
a seat at the table with our legislators and ground in ag production could help narrow
come up with a plan,” Washington County the gap.
David Anderson, Idaho program man-
Farm Bureau President Tristan Winegar
said. “They are asking us to be the leaders. ager for American Farmland Trust, said he
This is just giving us a voice so Farm Bureau is “very excited that the Farm Bureau and
can lead the charge and help save farmland.” its membership have come together and are
He said none of the extensive feedback joining the groundswell of desire around
he received since the Washington County protecting Idaho’s farmland and ranch land.”
Farm Bureau’s next step is to start look-
chapter hosted a meeting on the topic last
summer was in opposition to preserving ing at approaches “that meet everybody’s
farmland. The chapter proposed the policy needs here in Idaho and essentially refl ect
to the Idaho Farm Bureau, which will add it everybody’s priorities.”
He said there are many established farm-
to its offi cial policy book due out in January.
“People are supportive, but we walk the land-protection programs that have charac-
line between property rights and keeping teristics Farm Bureau wants to see in any
things viable,” the Weiser-area farmer and policy and “that Idaho leaders can learn
rancher said in an interview. “We’ve got an from, and subsequently create something
that is uniquely our own.”
uphill battle, there’s no doubt.”
Conservation easements, which are
Winegar said loss of farmland to other
uses is happening in Washington County, recorded agreements, are voluntary and do
which is on the northwest edge of a growing not restrict a seller’s ability to transfer land
Boise metro area that includes Ada and Can- to other farmers and ranchers, Anderson
yon counties. “It’s not as blatant and obvi- said.
As for incentives, “the opportunity is
ous as in Ada County, but it is happening all
at hand to get creative on what types of
over the state.”
He said developing farm or pasture land fi nancial incentives can be created, either
into another use stops the ongoing substan- at the state or possibly the individual
tial economic benefi t production agriculture county level, to aff ord (fi nancially) any
provides on that site. But “the reason it is type of voluntary land protection,” he
becoming houses, shops or hospitals is that said.
S224788-1
Idaho FFA members have good showing at national convention
Proud Sponsor of FFA
By Kennedy Farden
In late October over 60,000 FFA members flooded the streets of Indianapolis, Ind., for the National FFA
Convention and Expo. 2021 marked the 94th National Convention and Expo, where members gathered to
compete and receive awards, attend sessions and listen to words from keynote speakers, national officers
and sponsors.
They also had the opportunities to help with service projects and be exposed to innovations, technology
and advancements throughout the agbioscience industry in the virtual learning space called “The FFA Blue
Room.”
Idaho FFA members showed great success in Indianapolis with solid placing teams, two chorus members
and delegates speaking on many proposed delegate issues.
Five of the Idaho state officers served among the total 475 National Delegates representing every state,
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They voiced their opinion and voted on proposed changes within
the organizations.
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