Soy growers were alarmed yesterday by an unexpected anti-checkoff amendment introduced by Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN). The Spartz amendment to the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration Appropriations Bill, includes language intended to eliminate funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to administer national agriculture promotion programs, or “checkoffs.” This legislation is in direct contrast to the ASA-endorsed resolution introduced by Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL) June 14 in support of commodity checkoffs; currently, the resolution has two dozen bipartisan co-sponsors. Read the news release from Rep. Moore’s office here.
While asking farmer-members to urge Congress to reject the Spartz amendment, ASA continues seeking support for Rep. Moore’s resolution (H.Res.588), which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that research and promotion boards support efforts to develop new markets and strengthen existing markets for specific commodities while conducting important research and promotional activities via pooled resources and stakeholder investments. Soybean checkoff programs allow soybean farmers to invest in programs that enhance markets and the overall value of soybeans. For every dollar farmers invest in the soy checkoff, they receive a $12.34 return on investment through the results of the United Soybean Board’s promotion, research and education. ASA and its farmer leaders continue to work with congressional leaders to garner support for this legislation and commodity checkoff programs if they are challenged or attacked in the 2023 Farm Bill process.
Soy growers are unequivocally supportive of the soy checkoff. The Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a request for referendum every five years after the initial referendum to determine if there is sufficient interest among soybean producers to vote on whether to continue the order. The last request for referendum was held in May 2019: Only 708 farmers requested a referendum, representing less than percent (officially 0.13%) of all eligible soybean farmers. This fell far short of the 10% needed to prompt a referendum, showing resounding support for the soy checkoff.
Stewardship of checkoff funds collected from farmers is a top priority for USB’s 77-member farmer board (appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture), staff and affiliated entities. The soy checkoff’s compliance officers work closely with USDA-AMS and independent auditors to ensure that all checkoff-funded activities follow all applicable laws and regulations, including those that restrict funding of anti-competitive, disparaging or advocacy activities.
