Agriculture

Congresswoman Ellmers understands how important our farm communities are to North Carolina, our nation, and the world.  As a freshman member, she served her first term in office with a seat on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee. 

Farming is an integral component of life in the 2^nd district of North Carolina.  Crops such as tobacco, soybeans, and sweet potatoes team up with livestock operations such as poultry, turkeys, and hogs to make North Carolina a powerhouse of agriculture. This industry brings millions in revenue to the state and is the primary source of income for many families in the 2^nd district. Farmers are under constant stress due to worries over weather, pests, disease, and prices, so it is essential that we maintain a strong safety net of crop insurance, direct and countercyclical payments, and strong commodity markets.  Congresswoman Ellmers is pleased that she can use her position in Congress to assist farmers in her district in protecting their livelihoods.
 

Congresswoman Ellmers' work on the issue of Agriculture includes the following:

Original Cosponsorship - H.R. 1313-To amend the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act-led by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) - Repeals a provision of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 establishing an inspection and grading program for catfish and other species of farm-raised fish and shellfish effective on the date of enactment of such Act.

H.R. 494-"Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act or the Small BREW Act" -led by Representatives Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Richard Neal (D-MA) Recalibrates the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of the excise tax on beer produced within or imported into the United States for brewers who produce less than 6 million barrels of beer a year.

Letter to US Trade Rep. Kirk and Secretary Vilsack - led by Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Ron Kind (D-WI) thanking them for their efforts towards negotiating a new agreement with Japan.  This agreement would allow the import of beef from cattle less than 30 months of age.  This is a positive step in trade relations with Japan, and we are hopeful that more progress will be made in the future.

Original Cosponsor H.R. 1249 - "The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2013"- led by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA)codifies FDA’s “Option 2” approach to menu labeling by only covering establishments that derive more than half of their total revenue from the sale of food that is prepared on-site. This legislation clarifies FDA’s statutory objectives under menu labeling without unnecessarily burdening most grocery stores and convenience stores.

Letter to the Chair and Ranking member of the Appropriations committee- led by Kristi Noem (R-SD) asking the committee to fund the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), and the emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP), all of which have been reauthorized, but not funded.

Letter to President Obama -led by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) affirming strong support for the continuation in its current form of the "Food for Peace" program and requests this program receive level funding in the Administration's budget proposal.

H.R. 935 - "Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013"led by Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH)amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide (FIFRA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (clean water act) to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from double-regulating certain pesticides.

Letter to Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin - led by Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME) urging support for key timber tax provisions as work on comprehensive tax reform gets underway.

H.R. 1572 - "The STOP Act" led by Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) - Prohibits federal funding for any advertisement, campaign, or publicity against the use of a food or non-alcoholic beverage that is lawfully marketed.

Letter to Ambassador Joao Vale de Almeida of the European Union from Members of the North Carolina Delegationexpressing concerns regarding the European Commission's revisions to the Tobacco Products Directive that is now under consideration. Specifically asking that the regulations are consistent with international law, be grounded by science, and take into account the concerns of farmers, businesses, and governments which may be negatively impacted by such policies.

Letter to FARRM Bill Conferees urging them to reject any requests and efforts to dismantle the current Food for Peace Program during conference discussions regarding Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (FARRM Bill). Led by Rep. Fincher (R-TN).

Letter to Agriculture Committee Chariman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson asking the conferees to keep the House passed language to repeal the duplicative USDA Catfish inspection program that sets up dual inspection regime for U.S. seafood processors, will cost taxpayers $140 million, and has the potential to weaken trade relations in SE Asia where U.S. exports are growing substantially.  Led by Reps. Hartzler (R-MO) and Roybal-Allard (D-CA)

Signed a letter to President Obama,originated from Reps. Todd Young (R-IN) and McIntyre (D-NC). This letter expresses concern with USTR’s proposal to treat tobacco differently from other commodities in the TPP agreement.

Co-Sponsored H.R. 3728, the Wild Game Donation Act.Sponsored by Rep. Young (R-AK). This legislation would make hunters who donate meat to food-based charities eligible for a tax credit for the wild game processing cost, provide a tax deduction for processors who take part in charitable donation programs, and protect against the use of spoiled meat for charitable contributions.

Co-Sponsored H.R. 389, Transparency in Tobacco User Fees Act. Sponsored by Rep. Guthrie (R-KY). This legislation requires HHS to report annually to Congress on user fees assessed on manufacturers and importers of tobacco products.

Signed onto a letter to FDA Commissioner Hamburg, led by Rep. DeFazio (D-OR),asking the FDA to reconsider a proposed rule that would end the practice of small brewers giving or selling their spent grain to farmers for livestock feed.  The rule would require breweries that do this become registered as grain handling facilities, or send the spent grain to a landfill.

Signed onto a letter to the EPA, led by Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) and Rep. Schrader (D-OR),asking them to withdraw their proposed rule expanding the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction to cover all waters, not just “navigable waters.” 

Signed onto a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, led by Rep. Benishek (R-MI),asking the USDA to disclose the details of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)’s new table of penalty guidelines. These guidelines are used when assessing penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. APHIS has refused to release the details because disclosure would allow the regulated entities to calculate the cost of violations.

Co-Sponsored H.R. 4432, Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, sponsored by Rep. Pompeo (R-KS).This bill establishes a legal framework for labeling of genetically engineered foods, as well as “natural” foods.  For new products, companies would submit information on why their product is safe for human consumption, then the FDA would have 180 days to object and if they don’t the producer is allowed to move forward. 

Signed onto a letter to Secretary of Defense Hagel, led by Reps. McIntyre (D-NC) and Hunter (R-CA),expressing concern regarding reports that the Navy is considering the elimination of tobacco sales on bases and ships. 

Co-Sponsored H.R. 3992 - Wildfire Disaster Funding Act– Sponsored by Rep. Michael Simpson (R-ID) - reclassifies wildfires as a natural disaster.  Currently, funding comes from the forest service, taking away from funds used for forest management and preventing wildfires.  This bill has no cost.

Signed a letter to President Obama - led by Chairmen Camp, Lucas, and Nunes urging him to pursue TPP negotiations without any country, including Japan, that is unwilling to open its market.