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Congress is expected to work on a variety of important issues that affect agriculture this year, but the 2007 Farm Bill tops the list of legislation.

"Our voting delegates said they like the concepts of the 2002 Farm Bill, and they want to continue with that basic framework," said AFBF Public Policy Director Mark Maslyn.

Because the new farm bill is important to Ohio growers and producers, it will get plenty of attention.

OFBF Senior Vice President of Public Policy Keith Stimpert said, "Ohio Farm Bureau will continue our active role in informing our members of new information and issues related to farm policy."

Stimpert added that renewable energy will likely be a major part of any new farm policy; many proposals on energy are expected this year. OFBF will promote expanding domestic energy supplies and support development and use of ethanol, soy biodiesel and other biofuels.

"There are also a number of livestock issues we're watching," said Adam Sharp, OFBF senior director of national and regulatory affairs. "They include animal identification, food labeling, food safety and horse slaughter legislation."

OFBF is also monitoring the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) work in finishing and implementing the Food Quality Protection Act, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) rule modifications and the EPA's approval of livestock permitting authority for the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

According to Sharp, immigration reform, air quality standard issues and CERCLA requirements on livestock operations – which could label manure animal feeding, farming and ranch operations as toxic waste under the Superfund law – are also key issues to watch on the national agenda.