Issue Briefs

Numeric Nutrient Critera

Issue Brief: Numeric Nutrient Critera

In November 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), finalized water quality standards for the State of Florida, known as numeric nutrient criteria. Numeric nutrient criteria are quantitative water quality standards that will apply only to the State of Florida.

Issue Briefs

Estate Taxes

Issue Brief: Estate Taxes

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The Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 set the estate tax exemption at $5 million per person and the top rate at 35 percent for 2011 and 2012. Without congressional action, in 2013, the estate tax exemption will shrink to $1 million per person with no spousal transfer and the top rate will increase to 55 percent.

Issue Briefs

Clean Air Act/Green House Gas Regulation

Issue Brief: Clean Air Act/Greenhouse Gas Regulation

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a program to regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs) as “air pollutants” under the Clean Air Act.

Issue Briefs

Agricultural Labor

Issue Brief: Agricultural Labor

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Farmers and ranchers face a shortage of workers who are willing and able to work on farms and in fields. Comprehensive immigration reform must assure that, going forward, American agriculture has a legal, stable supply of workers.

Issue Briefs

Agriculture Chemicals

Issue Brief: Agriculture Chemicals

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The product label and the application of agricultural pesticides have always been regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a statute that is implemented by the EPA. Several ongoing developments within EPA threaten to undermine farmers’ ability to use important crop protection chemicals pursuant to FIFRA restrictions.

Issue Briefs

Comprehensive Energy Policy

Issue Brief: Comprehensive Energy Policy

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Farm Bureau supports a comprehensive energy policy to help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources, decreases volatility in energy prices and encourages energy production within the agricultural sector.

Issue Briefs

GIPSA

Issue Brief: GIPSA

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As part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) issued a proposed rule on June 22, 2010, which addresses competition issues in the livestock and poultry sectors. In sum, there are many provisions in this rule that are supported directly by American Farm Bureau policy and there are other provisions that Farm Bureau will not support.

Issue Briefs

Capital Gains Taxes

Issue Brief: Capital Gains Taxes

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To remain efficient and profitable, farmers and ranchers must constantly change their businesses to produce the goods wanted by American and overseas consumers. Because capital gains taxes are imposed when buildings, breeding livestock and farmland are sold, it is harder for producers to shed unneeded assets to generate revenue to adapt and upgrade their operations.