Presidential priorities: AFBF survey reveals insight into the future of ag
For over 40 years, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has asked the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to respond to a survey identifying their stance on topics affecting farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
On Sept. 12, AFBF released the unedited survey responses of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, provided by their campaign teams.
The 14-question survey covered food system resiliency, regulatory reform, international trade, sustainability, energy and biotechnology.
“The challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers continue to mount, from falling commodity prices to stubbornly high supply costs,” says AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The next president will set the agenda for trade, regulatory reform, labor and sustainability.”
He notes it is important to know where presidential candidates stand on issues affecting the vibrancy of Wyoming communities.
Food systems and farmer resiliency
Each candidate was asked what investments or policies they would support as president to ensure the resiliency of the U.S. food system and American producers.
The Harris campaign notes Harris will promote competition in agriculture markets to ensure farmers and ranchers are treated fairly and crack down on unfair mergers and acquisitions involving big food corporations.
The Trump campaign states, “Trump will protect farmers from unfair foreign competition, bring economic relief to farmers and commit to lowering energy bills by one-half in the first year.”
Farm policy programs and state regulations
The candidates were asked how they plan to enhance farm policy programs through crop insurance, improve risk management programs and support beginning farmers and ranchers while bringing funding to agricultural research.
“Harris will fight to defend programs which allow farmers and ranchers to prosper,” her campaign responds.
Trump’s campaign replies, “He will support access and affordability to the risk management tools outined in the 2018 Farm Bill, which he signed into law. Improvements must be made to reference prices, crop insurance, dairy margin coverage and more specialty crop insurance. American agriculture is built on science, technology and innovation, and we must stay ahead of China with our scientific investments.”
The AFBF survey discusses policies the candidates would support to shore up the free flow of food and farm products between the states.
Harris’ campaign team mentions how she will work to ensure regulations are responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.
In contrast, Trump’s campaign team announces he would use all authority under the Constitution and U.S. law to stop California’s or other states’ efforts to hurt American farmers.
International trade
The survey continues by asking the candidates, if elected, how they would promote expanding trade and pursuing remedies against nations and their leaders who use various barriers to unfairly shield markets from competition.
“She will not tolerate unfair trade practices from China or any competitor undermining American farmers and ranchers,” replies the Harris campaign.
“As part of Trump’s effort to knock down barriers to American farm products, he will work to pass the Trump Reciprocal Trade Act and will prioritize American producers over foreign outsourcers,” the Trump campaign states.
Tax policy
Agriculture operates in a world of uncertainty, and the presidential candidates were asked what provisions they would support to help farmers and ranchers remain on the land and produce food, fuel and fiber.
Under the Harris plan, no American making less than $400,000 a year will pay more in taxes, including most farmers and ranchers.
At the same time, Trump will take immediate steps to defeat inflation and grow the agricultural economy by unleashing American energy, slashing wasteful government spending and cutting burdensome regulations.
Agricultural labor
The AFBF questionnaire continues asking what the presidential candidates would do to reform and resolve the critical labor shortage and address the need for a reformed H-2A program.
The Harris campaign states, “She supports an earned pathway to legalization and eventual citizenship for farm and other agricultural workers, while strengthening the H-2A Visa Program.”
“He will prioritize merit-based immigration, ensuring those admitted to our country contribute to our economy and strengthen our nation,” replies the Trump campaign.
Sustainability,
climate and energy
As president, Harris and Trump were asked how they would ensure climate regulations do not hamper American productivity and competitiveness and if they would support a strategy which encourages domestic production and use of all available forms of energy.
Harris announces she would continue to support the Inflation Reduction Act, while Trump pledges to terminate the Green New Deal, increase ethanol production in the U.S. and make it a mission to export ethanol worldwide.
Regulatory reform
The AFBF survey raises the question of what actions the candidates would take to ensure the federal government’s regulatory burden on businesses is consistent with Congressional intent and whether they support regulatory reform to ensure federal regulations are more transparent.
Harris’ team states, “As president, she will work to ensure regulations are responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.”
The Trump team replies, “In his next term, the Trump Dividend will be even larger. Repealing the Biden-Harris regulatory onslaught can save individuals an estimated $5,000 to $20,000 per year.”
ESA, clean water
and biotechnology
The survey asked questions about how each candidate would fix the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and how they would enforce the decision handed down in Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency.
Harris’ view on conservation hinges on cooperative initiatives considering all Americans, and she notes she will fight for the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water.
The Trump administration would empower locally-led and incentive-based conservation programs, and he would stop any policies strangling American agriculture, including refocusing agencies back to their core missions.
When asked about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s genetically modified organism disclosure rules, Harris’ campaign reiterates she’s already supporting agricultural research and will continue to do so, while the Trump campaign replies he strongly supports the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Rural life and health
Each candidate was asked how they would ensure rural Americans have economic opportunity and greater access to broadband and healthcare.
Harris’ comments include that she will strengthen the Affordable Care Act, help cancel $7 billion of medical debt for three million Americans and dedicate millions to grow the healthcare workforce while addressing the nation’s mental health crisis.
Trump’s campaign says he would commit to investing billions of dollars in expanding rural broadband, improving rural infrastructure and ensuring the U.S. has the lowest energy, electricity and gasoline costs.
He would also repeal net zero policies, including the electric vehicle mandate.
Federal land management
The final question addresses how the next president would support multiple use for federal lands.
“When elected, we will continue to partner with farmers and ranchers to promote the balanced management of America’s public lands,” states the Harris campaign.
“The federal government does not have unlimited power to lock up millions of acres of land and water. I believe states, communities and private landowners know best how to manage their own resources,” the Trump campaign states.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
