National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Lists Farm Bill Priorities

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives is urging Congress to finish the next farm bill on time.  In releasing the organization's farm bill priorities Tuesday, President and CEO Chuck Conner noted the “challenging price environment” farmers are dealing with in explaining the need for a timely farm bill.

The council’s framework outlines eight general principles to be included in the next farm bill, including a focus on promoting farm cooperatives and “their abilities to enhance competition in the agricultural marketplace by acting as bargaining agents” for cooperative members.   The organization also calls for the expansion of all U.S. agriculture exports, support for a strong safety net and an assurance that farmers and ranchers will have access to needed labor.

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives represents more than 2,000 local farmer cooperatives nationwide.

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