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by Lynn Snyder

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) members were among the most active members in the nation when the request came from American Farm Bureau to contact legislators who returned home during the August Congressional recess.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) organized the "Building Agricultural Markets" blitz to send a message to Congress: Farmers need more government help in building markets for their commodities.

Members were informed of the campaign during the summer Leadership Conference and responded overwhelmingly. OFBF Vice President for Government Affairs Keith Stimpert said nearly 800 members wrote letters to members of Congress; nearly 2,500 signed petitions calling for action on three specific measures, and close to 60 editorials were submitted to Ohio newspapers, with nearly 20 being printed.

AFBF called for the nationwide blitz to create action on three issues:

• Trade Promotion Authority

With momentum building to launch a new round of world trade talks, it is urgent that Congress passes Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the president. Every president in the past 25 years has had authority to negotiate trade agreements with approval, but not amendments, from Congress. Currently, President Bush does not have this authority. AFBF President Bob Stallman said TPA is needed to break down foreign trade barriers and create markets and jobs through government-to-government negotiations.

• Export Enhancement Program

Export Enhancement Program (EEP) was initially designed to combat unfair trading practices of U.S. competitors and is also used for market development. When it comes to programs to develop and expand agricultural markets, the United States' competitors outspend us 4-1. The program is authorized at $478 million in both fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Only $3.7 million in EEP bonuses have been awarded through the current fiscal year. Farm Bureau members asked Congress to tell Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to use all of the export tools at her disposal to benefit the sagging U.S. agricultural economy.

• Renewable Fuels

The Renewable Fuels for Energy Security Act (S 1006 and HR 2423) would mandate that 5 percent of the nation's fuel contain renewable energy, such as ethanol and biodiesel, by 2016.

"Ohio Farm Bureau members should be proud of how they responded. I get the sense from AFBF that Ohio gave one of the better responses to this request for action," Stimpert said.