ASA's top priorities for 2012 include the 2012 Farm Bill, reinstatement of the biodiesel tax incentive, trade expansion, FY-2013 budget and appropriations, and transportation and infrastructure. By developing and advocating soybean farmer top policy priorities, ASA continues its rich tradition of working in the best interest of U.S. soybean farmers. LEARN MORE
 

ASA supports making farm programs more efficient, effective, and defensible. LEARN MORE
 

ASA supports H.R. 2238 and S. 1277, which provide a 3 year extension of the biodiesel tax incentive through 2014 and restructure it from a blenders credit to a production tax credit. ASA supports continued implementation of the RFS2 program. ASA supports re-authorization and increased mandatory funding for the Biodiesel Fuel Education program in the 2012 Farm Bill. LEARN MORE

For FY-2013 appropriations, ASA supports:$325 million for the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Full funding for USDA working lands conservation programs;Not less than $1.9 billion to fund international food assistance programs; $200 million for MAP and $34.5 million for the FMD Program. LEARN MORE

ASA supports timely deregulation of new biotech traits by APHIS based solely on sound science. LEARN MORE

ASA supports maintaining science-based processes for consideration of pesticide and environmental issues by EPA. Existing statutes including FIFRA must be followed and consultation with production agriculture stakeholders must be included in policymaking. LEARN MORE

American farmers play a significant role in alleviating world hunger. ASA strongly supports all U.S. food aid programs, and uses of food in development and emergency assistance to developing nations. ASA opposes replacing U.S. food aid with cash donations. LEARN MORE

OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE

ASA supports implementation of marine aquaculture policies that will lead to development of a domestic offshore aquaculture industry. LEARN MORE

ASA supports re-authorization and increased mandatory funding for the Biobased Market Program in the 2012 Farm Bill. The Biobased Market Program received mandatory funding totaling $9 million for FY2008-2012. LEARN MORE

ASA supports the Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act (H.R. 104) and the Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011 (S. 412). ASA supports the provision to allow an increase in truck weight limits as proposed in H.R. 763, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA). LEARN MORE

ASA supports legislation that will graduate Russia from the Jackson-Vanik amendment and establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia. ASA opposes currency legislation or any action by Congress to unilaterally regulate the value of foreign currencies. ASA opposes any proposal to merge the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative with other trade agencies. ASA supports Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations that achieve new market access for soy and meat. LEARN MORE

Each year, the American Soybean Association brings together Members of Congress, their staff, government officials and farmer leaders at a luncheon featuring a wide variety of tasty soyfoods and beverages. The annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. soybean industry to showcase a taste of the ever-expanding selection of fabulous soyfoods and beverages available today. LEARN MORE

ASA supports negotiation of a bilateral agreement between the EU and U.S. that would establish an aggregate approach for certifying U.S. compliance with the sustainable land use requirements of the Renewable Energy Directive. LEARN MORE

ASA supports the Federal Communication Commission’s decision to prohibit LightSquared from developing its network, which showed significant interference with GPS usage. ASA supports the pursuit of expanded broadband coverage that will better connect rural communities while protecting the value of precision agricultural GPS systems. LEARN MORE