MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU for MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU
What was lobbied
6 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Immigration IMM
Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for a long-term solution to our agricultural workforce needs. We continue to communicate to Congress on the out-of-control growth in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and challenges with the H-2A visa program. We are also concerned with a few recent rules from the Biden Administration and shared those concerns with Congress. Michigan Farm Bureau communicated with Congress in opposition to the Department of Labors rule regarding the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants (Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Docket Number ETA-2021-0006). MFB is supporting a Congressional Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in opposition to the final AEWR rule and is encouraging Members of Congress to support it. The rule neglects to account for the fact that farm job descriptions often include many different responsibilities not just one role as the rule assumes. H.J.Res. 59 and S.J.Res. 25. MFB is also supporting S. 874 and H.R. 3308, the Farm Operations Support Act. The bill would require that the AEWR that was in effect on December 1, 2022, remains the AEWR through December 21, 2023. MFB is also supporting H.R. 3516, a bill which would waive the visa interview requirement for returning H-2A guestworkers. MFB also communicated with Congress on the USCIS proposed rule to increase fees for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. Specifically, USCIS proposes to raise filing fees for H-2A and H-2B petitions by 137% and 135%, respectively. In addition, USCIS proposes an additional $600 asylum fee per petition. Furthermore, by capping each petition at 25 workers, employers with a larger guest worker need, will incur these costs potentially multiple times over. MFB is very concerned with these proposed charges to farmers and has asked Congress to weigh in. MFB opposed H.R. 2 the Secure the Border Act of 2023 due to the bill containing mandatory E-verify. Farm Bureau cannot support mandatory E-verify unless it moves in tandem with legislation to improve the stability of our agricultural workforce. MFB also supported including language in the House Appropriations bill for FY2024 that would include an H-2B returning worker cap exemption. H-2B is an important guestworker program for agricultural processors and others that rely on seasonal workers.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Agriculture AGR
Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for the 2023 Farm Bill to be completed on time. Our priorities for the bill include: Increase baseline funding commitments to farm programs (reference price increase, commodity loan rates) as they have not kept up with inflation Maintain a unified, bipartisan farm bill which includes nutrition programs and farm programs together Prioritize funding for risk management tools which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs (ARC, PLC, DMC) Ensure adequate USDA staffing capacity and technical assistance Maintain funding for voluntary, working lands conservation programs. Support trade promotion programs like Foreign Market Development (FMD) and Market Assistance Program (MAP) Ensuring adequate funding for the specialty crop industry with emphasis on fundamental research, marketing & promotion, and pest management programs Funding for ag research and education MFB Supported H.R. 1480 and S. 759, the Beagle Brigade Act would provide permanent authorization for the National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains detector dogs, mostly beagles, and their U.S. Customs and Border Protection handlers to sniff out prohibited agricultural items that could carry foreign plant pests or animal diseases into America. MFB also supported the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act, a bill to strengthen the Dairy Margin Coverage program in the next Farm Bill. MFB supported the following bills: H.R. 4838, the Specialty Crop Security Act and H.R. 5199, the Specialty Crop Research Act, bills to increase funding of the specialty crop research in the Farm Bill. H.R. 4059 - a bill to include phosphate and potash on the final list of critical minerals of the Department of the Interior. We support this legislation as these minerals are critical for food production. H.R. 4739 and S.26 82 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act. The bill would make improvements to the USDA Tree Assistance Program. S. 322 Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act - the bill would direct USDA APHIS to establish a fund for research and activities related to mitigating the effects of spotted wing drosophila, an insect hurting the specialty crop industry.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD
Michigan Farm Bureau continues to advocate for new trade opportunities that would allow for U.S. farmers to find and grow markets across the globe, including a FTA with the United Kingdom. In addition, we seek a fair and level playing field for farmers that face pressure from unfair, foreign competition - especially our specialty crop sector. We continue to advocate for options for farmers to tools in place for these industries to take cases against foreign countries when we believe they are not playing by the rules. Our trade negotiation objectives include: All agricultural products and policies in the negotiations Eliminate non-tariff trade barriers Ensure market access for biotechnology products Address issues concerning import-sensitive products Oppose the Precautionary Principle Oppose the use of geographic indicators MFB urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to end the current U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement. Michigan Farm Bureau has strong policy on this topic and has growers negatively impacted by unfair trade.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Chemicals/Chemical Industry CHM
Michigan Farm Bureau advocated to Congress for reforms to the regulatory system, specifically updates to how agricultural chemistries are reviewed and approved. Farmers need a regulatory system that is fair, transparent, adheres to the will of Congress, takes economic impact into account, and respects our freedoms Crop protection tools go through a rigorous process to get to market and are regularly reviewed by the manufacturers and government agencies Farmers now face additional uncertainty due to EPA's new requirements to do more to prevent endangered species impacts from pesticides Farm Bureau policy supports: Use of sound science in rulemaking Coordination between USDA and EPA on regulations affecting agriculture Estimating the cost and benefits of regulations Ensuring transparency in the rulemaking process Vigorous congressional oversight Litigation reform Funding for IR4 bio-pesticide research program for minor crops MFB supported the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, H.R. 4288. The bill would reaffirm FIFRAs standard that the EPA is the single authority on pesticide labeling and packaging requirements. The bill ensures the EPA doesnt take any action, including approving label requirements, contradictory to the agencys science-based views. The Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act will provide certainty to producers and consumers, ensuring the tools supporting the agriculture industry and food supply chain remain safe and available. The bill would preempt states from imposing their own labeling requirements.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
MFB weighed in with the House on H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024, specifically the following amendments: We support: Amendment #66 (#7)/ Dairy - AFBF supports Rep. Tiffanys (R-WI) amendment, which would prohibit funding for the finalization, implementation, administration or enforcement of section three of the rule titled Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to ensure all types of milk are available to school children. Amendment #72 (#68)/ Farm Service Agency - AFBF supports Rep. Crawfords (R-AR) amendment, which seeks to prevent the closing of Farm Service Agency offices. We oppose: Amendment #15 (#65)/ Office of Chief Economist - AFBF opposes Rep. Biggs (R-AZ) amendment, which seeks to reduce funding for the Office of the Chief Economist. Amendment #29 (#67) / National Agricultural Statistics Service - AFBF opposes Rep. Biggs (R-AZ) amendment, which would reduce funding for the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Amendment #32 (#176)/ Agricultural Research Service - AFBF opposes Rep. Bishops (R-NC) amendment, which would reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service. Amendment #33 (#70) / National Institute of Food and Agriculture - AFBF opposes Rep. Biggs (R-AZ) amendment, which would reduce funding for the National Institute of Amendment #36 (#177)/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - AFBF opposes Rep. Bishops (R-NC) amendment, which would decrease funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Amendment #41 (#136)/ Natural Resources Conversation Service - AFBF opposes Rep. Brecheens (R-OK) amendment, which would significantly reduce funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Amendment #45 (#161)/ Rural Business-Cooperative Service - AFBF opposes Rep. Perrys (R-PA) amendment, which would significantly reduce funding for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Amendment #51 (#123)/ Foreign Agricultural Service - AFBF opposes Rep. Donalds (R-FL) amendment, which seeks to further reduce funding for the Foreign Agricultural Service. Amendments to International Food Aid Programs: AFBF opposes the following amendments that would eliminate or undermine funding for the Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole programs. Amendments #54 (#5) and #57 (#6) - Rep. Biggs (R-AZ) Amendments #53 (#101) and #55 (#82) - Rep. Good (R-VA) Amendment #52 (#89) and #56 (#91) - Rep. Ogles (R-TN) Amendment #76 (#113)/ Checkoff Programs - AFBF opposes Rep. Spartzs (R-IN) amendment, which seeks to defund the operation of any program established under section 501 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Amendment #83 (#78)/ Livestock - AFBF opposes Rep. Hagemans (R-WY) amendment, which seeks to prevent funds from being used to finalize, implement, administer or enforce the proposed rule titled Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison. Amendment #87 (#178)/ Custom Slaughter - AFBF opposes Rep. Massies (R-KY) amendment, which would prohibit funding from being used to issue any new rule: (1) regarding the number of owners of an animal for purposes of the custom slaughter exemption of the Food Safety and Inspection Service; (2) limiting the persons that may own an animal; or (3) requiring custom operators to keep records. Amendment #96 (#173)/ Sugar - AFBF opposes Rep. Perrys (R-PA) amendment, which would undermine the economic safety net for sugar farmers. Amendment #102 (#202)/ Comprehensive FY24 Agriculture Appropriations - AFBF opposes Rep. Rosendales (R-MT) amendment, which would further reduce overall funding for the legislation. Michigan Farm Bureau communicated with Congress on several appropriations related topics, including: Senator Gary Peters SWAT Act requesting funding for APHIS, including specialty crop pest program. In order to sustain specialty crop production and provide continued domestic food security, robust investment must be maintained in order to mitigate the harmful effects caused by these invasive pests, such as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). SWD is an invasive pest from East Asia that lays eggs in soft-skinned specialty fruit crops, including cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. MFB also communicated with House offices specially requesting ways that the H-2A visa program could be address through the Appropriations process
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW
MFB Supported H.J. Res. 27 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'"
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.