Legislative, regulatory and legal representation are keys for strengthening agricultural awareness and perspectives on state and national issues. Participating on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Issues Advisory Committee allows Texas farmers and ranchers to do just that.
Members of the Issues Advisory Committee—which consists of 13 subcommittees each focused on a specific, high-profile agricultural topic—identify issues and discussion actions and possible solutions.
The Issues Advisory Committee met Feb. 21-22 in Washington, D.C.
Each committee consists of Farm Bureau members with knowledge and direct involvement on particular issues of importance to U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Those members, who were appointed by AFBF President Zippy Duvall, include nine leaders from Texas.
As a member of the Pest and Invasive Species Committee, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Secretary-Treasurer and District 13 State Director Scott Frazier works on issues related to quarantines, inspections at ports, research needs for invasive species control, pesticide restriction and exemptions and control and remediation.
TFB District 3 State Director Mark Daniel serves on the Animal Care Committee, which focuses on issues of standards in animal care and health, antibiotic use, processing and the commerce clause.
TFB District 6 State Director Val Stephens is a member of the Energy Committee, which concentrates on the Renewable Fuel Standard, fracking, pipelines, carbon regulations, Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and renewable energy sources.
The Organic and Direct Marketing Committee covers organic production systems, organic checkoff programs, farmers markets, community supported agriculture and agritourism. TFB District 7 State Director Jessica Richmond serves on the committee.
Bob Reed, Matagorda County farmer and former TFB state director, is on the Water Committee. He studies the Clean Water Act, along with national and regional water storage programs, flood control and Army Corps of Engineers water-related efforts.
As a member of the Budget and Economy Committee, former TFB state director Neil Walter tackles issues like tax reforms and codes, appropriations, estate taxes, the federal budget process and the Balanced Budget Amendment.
The Environmental Regulations Committee covers issues pertaining to the Endangered Species Act, climate change, the Clean Air Act and wildlife and farming interface. Williamson County farmer Bob Avant represents Texas on this committee.
Dewey Hukill, a Lamb County farmer and former TFB state director, represents Texas on the Technology Committee. This committee focuses on data privacy and control, unmanned aircraft systems, biotechnology, other new breeding techniques and robotics.
As a member of the Food Safety Committee, Lubbock County farmer Bernie Thiel discusses certification standards, labeling, food safety education, the Food Safety Modernization Act and federal food safety programs.
Outcomes of the committees’ deliberations include advice and counsel to the AFBF board of directors on policy-related actions AFBF might be advised to take recommendations for state Farm Bureau policy development and policy recommendations to the AFBF Resolutions Committee.
“Working together with representatives from other states allows our Texas farmers and ranchers to help the national leadership better understand how each issue will affect agriculture in the various states,” Regan Beck, TFB director of Government Affairs, said.
Committee members may also testify at congressional hearings and communicate with the media.
They will also participate in conference calls and webinars throughout the year to help Farm Bureau staff develop testimonies and write comments on proposed federal regulations.