The U.S. Senate Ag Committee on Tuesday examined ways to increase domestic consumption of U.S.-grown agricultural products.
During testimony, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said many farmers are currently facing a dire situation.
“USDA projects that farm income this year will be down nearly $50 billion below the levels of just a few years ago,” Duvall said.
Duvall says the ag industry is in desperate need of strengthened domestic demand.
“We must support increased production of critical ag supplies and restore domestic processing,” Duvall said.
Matt Perdue, a member of the National Farmers Union Board of Directors, says the country can grow domestic opportunities by bolstering renewable fuels markets, and by expanding local and regional supply chains.
“Local and regional supply chains help farmers and ranchers expand and build markets and strengthen profit margins,” Perdue said. “Programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools Program supported that development.”
Nathan Reed, Chairman of the National Cotton Council, says the U.S. cotton industry cannot survive without stronger demand.
“Over the last 20 years, cotton has seen no consistent demand growth,” Reed said. “To make matters worse, during the same period, man-made fiber consumption has more than doubled with much of that being Chinese polyester priced at 42 cents per pound.”
Jed Bower, President of the National Corn Growers Association, says the country needs to expand markets for ethanol and scale the utilization of bio-based products.
“Year-round access to E15 is critical,” Bower said. “Farmers have waited far too long for this simple deregulatory bill to be passed.”
Scott Metzger, President of the American Soybean Association, says soybeans need to have a larger role in U.S. food systems.
“In addition to food products, soy oil serves as an affordable heart-healthy ingredient for home cooking and packaged foods,” Metzger said. “The federal government must ensure that the regulations and policies continue to follow sound science.”
Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association, says 90% of Americans currently fall short of recommended produce intake levels.
“Increasing consumption is not just a nutrition issue, it is an economic issue and an economic opportunity,” Burns said. “When we strengthen produce consumption, we strengthen domestic markets for American farmers.”
Committee Chairman John Boozman says Congress must find ways to increase domestic consumption of U.S. ag products or farm bankruptcies will continue to rise.
