Roger Johnson — Page 2

NFU Hits on Food Security, Food Sovereignty at Conference

October 10, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

From the National Farmers Union

NFU President Roger Johnson

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson today discussed the role of family farming and cooperatives in food security and food sovereignty as part of a panel discussion at the International Summit of Cooperatives in Quebec City, Canada.

“Family farms and ranches worldwide are the cultural, social, economic, and security cornerstones of every nation,” said Johnson. “Forty percent of the world’s households directly depend on family farming, and every person who eats also depends on family farmers.”

The International Summit of Cooperatives, held annually, brought together nearly 200 leading experts and more than 2500 participants from 42 countries to share their knowledge on innovation in sustainability, development, employment, food security, and the economics of cooperatives.

Johnson noted that despite agricultural production in the United States shifting to large farms, trends also indicate an increase in new, yet smaller, farms.

“Americans want families to own and operate farms and ranches,” said Johnson. “Consumers want local foods, and demand is creating new opportunities.”

Johnson also noted that in the United States, farmers and ranchers have been successfully involved in cooperatives for nearly 100 years. Farmers Union’s own history is closely tied with the cooperative movement, having developed and supported thousands of cooperatives over the decades. “Cooperatives and agriculture go hand-in-hand,” said Johnson.

“Co-ops provide farmers and ranchers with lower-cost inputs, higher income through marketing and processing, financial resources, access to electrical utilities and communications technology, and connections to consumers.”

The five panelists also discussed the idea that family agriculture is the basis for sustainable production to move towards food security. Johnson pointed out the many benefits of food security in the United States.

“Food security has allowed the U.S. economy to expand into technology, manufacturing, entertainment and heavy industry,” said Johnson. “Consumers spend less than 10 percent of their income on food and it also allows the U.S. to have programs to help feed the poor.”

NFU Says Dept. of Justices Ignores Anti-Trust Laws in O.K. of Tyson-Hillshire Merger

August 28, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the Naitonal Farmers Union:

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the Department of Justice has approved the Tyson-Hillshire merger:

“Anti-trust laws were put on the books to keep powerful industries – like the meat industry – from being overly consolidated. Yet nearly every merger request they file is approved by the Department of Justice. As a result, the meat industry grows more powerful by the day and the family farmer continues to get squeezed.

“This is because farmers are price takers not price makers, and when the number of buyers is decreased, the sales options left to farmers and ranchers are fewer and fewer and the ability of the buyers to dictate prices to producers continues to increase. The top four meat packers already control 80 percent of the market and now that number has just gone up.

“Once again, the Department of Justice has turned its back on family farmers.”

Margin Protection Program Replaces MILC – Enrollment Begins Sept. 2

August 28, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

USDA has announced that enrollment for the new dairy program – the Margin Protection Program – will begin on September 2.

MPP replaces Milk Income Loss Contracts.

The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson commended USDA on their timely rollout of the dairy Margin Protection Program and for including provisions that will help America’s family farmers with their risk management needs.

“America’s family-run dairy farms are in great need for these kind of risk management tools to help them manage risk that is beyond their control,” said Johnson.

“The family farmer provision, included as part of the program, will allow many of this nation’s family-operated dairy farms to breathe a sigh of relief now that they have adequate risk management tools in hand. It is unfortunate that the Congress did not include a dairy stabilization program that would have helped take the volatility out of milk prices,” Johnson added.

USDA also announced the Dairy Product Donation Program (DPDP), which will donate dairy products to low-income people, including food banks, state and local agencies and advocacy organizations.

Dairy farmers should also be aware of an online tool USDA has created to help them determine their level of coverage under MPP. Follow this link to use the tool.

The Margin Protection Program, which replaces the Milk Income Loss Contract program, gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment begins Sept. 2 and ends on Nov. 28, 2014, for 2014 and 2015. Participating farmers must remain in the program through 2018 and pay a minimum $100 administrative fee each year. Producers have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year.

Dairy operations enrolling in the new program must comply with conservation compliance provisions and cannot participate in the Livestock Gross Margin dairy insurance program. Farmers already participating in the Livestock Gross Margin program may register for the Margin Protection Program, but the new margin program will only begin once their Livestock Gross Margin coverage has ended.

Call or visit your local USDA Farm Services Agency office to learn more or to enroll in MPP. You can also view or download the USDA’s fact sheet on MPP here.

Johnson Makes the Argument in Favor of COOL to Capitol Hill newspaper

August 5, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

NFU President Roger Johnson is the author of a guest op-ed which ran in The Hill a Washington, D.C. newspaper and website which covers Congress. Click the link below to read Johnson’s argument in favor of COOL.

Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from

From the National Farmers Union News Release on the Piece:

“Nobody seemed to care where their pet treats came from until dogs started dropping dead from eating tainted food from China,” notes Johnson. “When it was all over, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had received 5,600 complaints from consumers about their pets getting sick and, sadly, about 1,000 of them perished.”

Johnson points out that, thankfully, Congress understood that consumers have a right to know where their pet food, and their own food, comes from, and in 2008 passed a law known as COOL. “In short, COOL says that muscle cuts of meat, and some fruits and vegetables, must be labeled with the country’s name where it was produced.”

COOL doesn’t restrict imports; it simply gives grocery shoppers information to make purchasing decisions that are right for their families. “If a family prefers Vietnamese catfish or Mexican meatloaf, there will be available options. If not, the family can choose locally grown U.S. alternatives,” he notes.

A May 2013 public opinion poll showed more than 90 percent of consumers support COOL. Johnson notes just last week “consumer advocates prevailed when the District Court of Appeals handed multinational meat packers a stinging defeat. By a 9 to 2 majority, the panel upheld an earlier court ruling to deny a request to halt enforcement of the law.”

Foreign countries and their big business partners are also pushing international courts at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to intervene. “The same WTO that helped facilitate lopsided trade deals and outsource U.S. manufacturing jobs will soon rule on what information U.S. grocery shoppers can receive,” he notes.

“Simultaneously, powerful lobbying groups are bankrolling efforts to ‘reform’ COOL in Congress, and by reform, they mean gut it. Instead of ‘Born, Raised and Harvested in the U.S.,’ they’re pushing for ‘Made in North America’ labels so consumers can’t differentiate between products of Mexico, Canada or the United States.”

“What’s next?” he asks. “Made on Earth labels?”

“America has the safest, best homegrown food supply in the world. Let’s be proud, not ashamed, of that accomplishment,” he concludes.

NFU’s Johnson Speaks Out in D.C. on Renewable Fuel Standard

July 15, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union:

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson spoke today at a briefing at the U.S. House of Representatives on the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The briefing was hosted by Fuels America in cooperation with Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, and Lee Terry, R-Neb.

“It is crucial that Congress not change the RFS and for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the 2014 RFS targets in order to provide certainty for farmers and the ethanol industry,” said Johnson.

“EPA was originally going to finalize its 2014 Renewable Volume Obligation in June, but is now moving the date until September,” Johnson continued. “NFU has strongly encouraged EPA to fix its flawed proposal. EPA needs to begin to align itself with rural America. It will be difficult to build trust in the countryside if EPA does not greatly improve the 2014 RFS targets.”

“The RFS drives economic growth in rural America and supports around 300,000 direct jobs nationwide,” said Johnson. “A stable RFS will help to develop the next generation of biofuels and provide new market opportunities for farmers, while simultaneously providing significant climate, environmental and national security benefits.”

Other panelists included Brooke Coleman, executive director, Advanced Ethanol Council; Doug Bervin, vice president of corporate affairs, POET; Josh Nasser, legislative director, United Auto Workers; and Geoff Cooper, senior vice president, Renewable Fuels Association.

Federal Appeals Court Cool with COOL

March 31, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Two Federal Courts Have Now Swatted Down Big Biz Attempts to Thwart COOL

In another victory for independent and family U.S. livestock farmers, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has rejected an appeal from an earlier district court ruling against plaintiffs in a suit to suspend Country of Origin Labeling regulations while the plaintiff’s larger suit against COOL moves through the judicial system.

Last Friday’s decision is the latest setback for plaintiffs who filed the case in an effort to have the revised COOL regulations invalidated. The case was filed on July 8, 2013, by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Meat Institute, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Pork Council, North American Meat Association, American Association of Meat Processors, National Pork Producers Council, Southwest Meat Association and Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations.

While that larger case is being adjudicated, plaintiffs have sought an injunction which would have prevented existing COOL regulations from remaining in effect. For now, COOL stands.

The National Farmers Union, together with the United States Cattlemen’s Association, the American Sheep Industry Association and the Consumer Federation of America, intervened to defend the COOL regulations from challenge, and they actively participated in a briefing at the District Court and the Court of Appeals, as well as the preliminary injunction hearing at the District Court.

“I am extremely pleased with today’s decision,” said Roger Johnson, NFU president. “Yet again, claims that the revised COOL regulations are unconstitutional or inconsistent with the COOL statute have been rejected in federal court.”

“Today’s decision notes that COOL advances legitimate values, including consumer information and consumer choice. The Court of Appeals also explained that COOL labels can be seen as a sign that retailers ‘take pride in identifying the source of their products.’ NFU’s family farmer- and rancher-members certainly take pride in the products they produce, and I am glad that consumers will be able to continue to identify their products at retail as a result of today’s decision.”

Johnson is currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the World Farmers Organization’s fourth general assembly, where many of the speakers have discussed the need for farmers to connect more directly with consumers and be more transparent to enhance consumer confidence.

Johnson said NFU will remain engaged with its allies in the courtroom battles over COOL on behalf family farmers and consumers.

Farm Bill Passes Senate, Goes to President

February 5, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown

Having moved now through final passage in both houses of Congress, the latest version of a comprehensive Farm Bill goes to President Barack Obama’s desk where a signature is expected and the bill will become law.

Both Ohio Senators – Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown – voted in favor of passage. To see how Ohio members of the House voted last week, click here.

The end of a long journey is near. This latest Farm Bill’s movement through Congress began in 2012. At various times it has been held along the way by varied issues from food stamps to the dairy program. The bill will do away with most direct payments to farmers, instead relying on a revamped system of federally supported crop insurance.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman

“The Farm Bill is more than just a long-term policy on agriculture; it’s a jobs bill; it’s a food and nutrition bill; it’s an investment in rural communities, and it provides certainty for American farmers and producers,” Brown said. “For three years, I have fought for passage of a bill that balances the need for reform while making smart investments in conservation, nutrition, renewable energy, and rural development programs. This bill achieves that balance. By streamlining programs, reducing regulatory hurdles, and replacing direct farm payments with market-based supports, we now have a system that is more responsive to farmers’ needs and more responsible to taxpayers.”

“Family farmers and ranchers have always been willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that is needed to feed, fuel and clothe our nation and our world. It is only fitting that this legislation inspired Congress to do the hard work necessary to come together and pass a comprehensive, bipartisan five-year farm bill that enacts meaningful reforms and provides an effective safety net for farmers and needy Americans alike,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson.

“One of the best ways that President Obama could expand opportunities for working families, including the 16 million Americans employed in the agriculture industry, would be to sign the single piece of legislation that benefits every sector of our economy,” Johnson added.

NFU: Government Shutdown Unfairly Punishing Family Farmers

October 10, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

As the country closes in on two weeks worth of federal government shutdown, the National Farmers Union continues to point out to lawmakers in D.C. how their ineptitude is hurting family farmers.

“Perhaps most disappointing about all of these manufactured crises, exacerbated by the lapsed farm bill, is that solutions are close at hand but Congress chooses not to execute them,” said Johnson.

In particular, NFU President Roger Johnson has been pointing at an early blizzard that wracked parts of the Great Plains last week and created havoc for cattle ranchers. Livestock losses are reaching into the tens of thousands after the pre-season winter storm and sever floods in Colorado earlier in September.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are prepared to handle events like these, but the government shutdown, along with the expired farm bill, leaves ranchers without the urgent help they need,” said Johnson. “Both the House and Senate versions of the pending farm bill include a retroactive livestock indemnity provision, which would provide much-needed assistance to ranchers but cannot be accessed because of the legislative stalemate.”

NFU President: U.S. International Food Aid System Needs Reform

July 22, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson participated in a panel discussion about proposed reforms to the U.S. international food aid system. The panel, entitled “Proposed Reforms to U.S. Food Aid: Framing the Debate,” was hosted by FoodPolicy.us.

“At the time when food aid was enacted, we had a large oversupply of grain and accompanying low market prices,” said Johnson. “The government was purchasing or receiving and physically holding significant stocks, and aid had a dual purpose of getting rid of these stocks and helping vulnerable people around the world. Today the government does not own grain stocks. Our food system has changed drastically in the past 50 years; naturally, our system of international aid must evolve as well.”

The president’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposed a variety of reforms in the area of food aid. Overall, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates the proposed reforms would create an estimated $155-215 million in annual gross efficiency savings and $105-165 million in net efficiency savings, allowing the agency to serve an additional two to four million people in need each year. The reforms propose to require at least 55 percent of emergency food assistance continue to be in the form of U.S. commodities, and up to 45 percent may be acquired through local and regional purchasing.

“Ultimately, if we truly want to end global food insecurity, we must consider what is going to best serve local farmers, local economies, and hungry people,” said Johnson.

NFU President Makes Clear Opposition to Splitting Farm and Nutrition Programs in Farm Bill

June 28, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

WASHINGTON – Following the recent failure of the 2013 Farm Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, there have been suggestions by several Congressmen who voted down the bill about splitting farm programs from nutrition programs, creating two separate bills. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in opposition of the separation:

“Separating farm programs from nutrition programs and proposing two bills would be a huge mistake. The likely result would be to kill the bill. This will allow Congress to continue to take no action to provide certainty to U.S. family farmers, ranchers, rural residents and those who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“As the providers of the food, feed, fiber and fuel, we have an obligation to educate the public on the importance of farmers and the support we lend to SNAP and other programs. Two bills would continue to perpetuate the public’s misconception on where their food comes from and widen the gap between the farmer and the consumer.

“This would also be a disruption to the historic coalition between urban, rural and conservation groups. The farm bill has historically been a bipartisan effort, and must remain a bipartisan effort. It is a shame that politics are getting in the way of providing for so many people.

“Separating farm and nutrition programs is simply a recipe to kill the bill.”

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