FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(May 21, 2015)

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
[email protected]

WASHINGTON (May 21, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership for its work on the swift reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA).

“On behalf of National Farmers Union’s 200,000 members, I applaud your work on the reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA),” said Johnson in a letter to Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. “As you are aware, this issue is of great importance to producers across the country. Your work to swiftly move legislation ahead of the law’s expiration is both appreciated and a credit to your commitment to producers who rely on this standard.”

Johnson noted that the Senate bill took into consideration a number of NFU’s concerns over the House reauthorization of USGSA. “The fashion in which you structured the reporting and notification requirements, streamlined certain provisions of the underlying law, and converged timelines for designated and delegated authorities and the reauthorization will provide additional confidence in a system respected the world over,” he notes.

Johnson noted that NFU continues to prefer a reauthorization bill that last 10 years instead of five. Such a horizon would provide producers and industry the certainty they deserve,” notes the letter. “We would ask that you once again consider this timeframe during your business meeting on USGSA reauthorization.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

-30-

Leave a Reply