MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU for MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU
What was lobbied
5 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD
MFB has been supportive of eliminating duties imposed on urea ammonium nitrate and phosphate fertilizers from Morocco, Trinidad and Tobago and other countries. Farmers have seen some of these products increase over 100% in price over the last year and are necessary inputs for crop production. Farm Bureau continues to advocate for the improvement of existing trade agreements and new opportunities for export. We also support working to make sure other countries are playing fairly and our import sensitive commodities can compete on a level playing field. MFB signed on a letter to USTR Amb. Tai asking for Michigan agriculture to be included in any advisory panel that may be created in response to the Florida trade petition to USTR from earlier in the year. MFB supported the petition by the Florida Congressional Delegation to Ambassador Tai for a Section 301 investigation into Mexico for seasonal and perishable commodities.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Immigration IMM
Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) advocated for legislation that addresses agriculture's long and short-term labor needs. Immigration reform would include an adjustment of status for those currently undocumented that are working in agriculture, allowing them to work in agriculture, and secondly creases a usable guest worker program run by the USDA that allows for at-will or contract workers for agriculture. MFB opposes E-Verify legislation unless it moves in tandem with legislation addressing agriculture's labor needs. MFB also advocated for changes in the H-2A guest worker visa program that would make the system more efficient and streamlined and guaranteed workers arrived on time to perform job duties like planting or harvesting crops. Farm Bureau also advocated for a freeze on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for H-2A works to stay at the current levels. The wage rate required for H-2A users has increased substantially over the past several years and Farm Bureau members do not believe it accurately reflects the job market. The Michigan AEWR went up 12.8% from 2022-2023 to $17.34 per hour. MFB advocated for the Senate to move on legislation since the House started the process and passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in 2021 and Michigan Farm Bureau advocated for Congress to pass S. 5282, the Affordable and Secure Food Act (Bennet, D-CO) as part of the year-end Omnibus. Farm Bureau supported the Keep Food Local and Affordable Act of 2021, H.R. 5887 and S. 3134, a bill that would freeze the AEWR at 2021 levels for most states.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Agriculture AGR
Michigan Farm Bureau supports S.1251, the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021, and advocated for passage in the Senate. MFB also supports the House companion, H.R. 2820. The Growing Climate Solutions Act would create a certification program at USDA to help solve technical entry barriers for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who wish to participate in voluntary carbon credit markets. We are currently asking Congress to work together on a bipartisan Farm Bill thats completed on time, when the 2023 bill expires. We support protecting the farm safety net, including crop insurance. We also support maintaining much of the 2018 Farm Bill, including research, trade assistance, energy policy, conservation policy, rural development, keeping nutrition connected to the Farm Bill, and other components of the bill. Farm Bureau also offered support for H.R. 7663, the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Act. This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention. Nonpoint source pollution comes from diffuse sources and is caused by precipitation moving over or through the ground and carrying pollution.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Chemicals/Chemical Industry CHM
Farm Bureau remains concerned about the number of critical crop protection tools potentially being challenged or eliminated. In many cases there are not alternatives in the marketplace. Losing these tools could make it very difficult to grow some of these crops in Michigan. We continue to share this message with Congress. MFB communicated specifically with Congress and urged signing a Congressional letter to EPA on the Proposed Revisions to the Atrazine Interim Registration Review Decision.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN KRAN | — |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Farm Bureau has been supportive of legislation and Congressional letters to the Biden Administration on the importance of biofuels. In particular, the year-round availability of E15. Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act of 2021 and Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led reintroduction of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. Both bills would ensure that EPA can grant Reid Vapor Pressure volatility waivers to allow E15 and higher blend fuels to be sold at fuel retailers all year-round. Farm Bureau is also supportive of H.R. 5089, the Next Generations Fuels Act, a bill that would transition gasoline and vehicles to low-carbon, higher-octane fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emission and meet future needs of more advanced vehicles by taking advantage of the benefits of higher ethanol blends.
| 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.