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In light of the pivotal role rural voters played in last year’s election, AFBF President Bob Stallman said the organization will continue to reach out to assemble a pro-agricultural agenda in the new Congress.

Stallman put the passage of a comprehensive energy bill at the top of the priority list and noted $6 billion in added expenses for farmers from rising energy costs during the 2003-2004 growing season.

"With the new Congress, we have a real opportunity to pass an energy bill, which includes renewable fuels, that is good for all Americans," he said.

Also high on the list was upgrading locks and dams for more efficient transportation of farm products along river systems. Stallman said that these improvements would have a far-reaching, positive economic impact.

"A better transportation system on our rivers would cause a ripple effect of economic growth and job creation in rural America," he said.

He went on to say that tax reform, specifically a permanent repeal of the death tax, will continue to be a goal for AFBF.

"We must get rid of this onerous tax that continually hurts farmers," Stallman said. "We will also continue the pursuit of policies that lessen the tax load on farmers, create new opportunities to sell agriculture products abroad and recognize the positive roles of farmers and ranchers in conserving our natural resources."

AFBF also plans to seek pro-trade policies focusing on World Trade Organization negotiations and extending Trade Promotion Authority.

"Congress must renew TPA in order to continue our work to win trade reform," Stallman said.

With plans for the next farm bill already in the works, Stallman was optimistic that AFBF will gain much ground in furthering the interests of agriculture in the coming years.

"President Bush and the 109^th Congress offer us an almost unprecedented opportunity to build a strong bipartisan agricultural coalition and a chance to win real reform in a number of areas critical to farm and ranch families," he said.