Priority Issue 2008:

Economic Development and Profitability

The viability of the agriculture industry in New York plays an important role in the economic health and vitality of the State.  Local businesses, schools, churches and agribusiness services all depend on a vibrant agriculture and when a farm goes out of business, or suffers from low prices or weather related disasters, it causes an economic ripple effect that is felt throughout the region.  New York Farm Bureau supports continued progress on the 2007 Farm Bill to ensure that programs included in both the House and Senate versions that benefit New York producers remain or are enhanced in the final version. We advocate for additional federal financial support for capital projects at Cornell, and our SUNY agricultural institutions. We support initiatives that encourage the development of new and innovative markets and production opportunities for New York producers.

To address farm profitability issues and further enhance agriculture as an economic development engine for Upstate New York and Long Island.  The following programs should be fully addressed and funded by the federal government.

Recommendations:

·           Continue to monitor the progress of the 2007 Farm Bill through the conference committee process to ensure that provisions beneficial to New York agriculture that were incorporated into the House and Senate versions are included or enhanced in the final version of the legislation.

·           Support enhanced efforts by the USDA and FDA to assure food safety and to promote consumer confidence in the food supply through science based research and the use of modern technology in the production, processing and handling of food.

·           Support funding for capital projects and agriculture research at Cornell, including the Geneva Research facility to address critical ag-biosecurity, and other agriculture related production and environmental issues. Provide adequate funding to expand and continue teaching, research and outreach programs of the land grant university system.

·           Support continued funding for the Grapes Genomic Center at Cornell University.

·           Secure additional dollars for New York’s well-established farmland protection programs and work to secure such funding as federal block –grants so that the funding will be able to fit New York’s unique farmland protection needs.

·           Support legislation and regulations ensuring that agricultural imports are subject to equivalent inspection, sanitary requirements, pesticide use restrictions, and quality standards as domestic produce. 

·           Support trade negotiations that result in net gains for New York agricultural producers.

·           Support funding for producer driven applied agriculture research and development programs.

• Provide a state estate tax payment deferral for landowners that inherit farmland and keep the land in agricultural production.