Wharton for Farmers

Press Release

Agriculture and related food businesses are Ohio's largest industry. Eleven of the twelve counties in the 15th District have substantial family farming and agribusiness interests.

I will seek as my number one committee assignment the House Agriculture Committee.

Issues that need to be addressed in the next Congress include:

Getting to work on the next four-year Farm Bill. While we have gotten away from a "direct payment' system, the current safety net for family farmers in the two main programs are based on crop prices that are roughly twice what farmers have been paid for the last three years and need to be adjusted or reformed.

Making sure that the USDA reviews and cuts the red tape out of the farm programs. Many family-sized farms don't participate because of the paperwork and time demands of keeping up with USDA reporting requirements. This is the 21st century -- these things could be simplified.

The six largest agribusinesses doing business with U.S. farmers in terms of seed and chemicals are attempting through a combination of mergers to become three companies. Corporate concentration in large ag companies has gone far enough and I will seek hearings in Congress on their effects on the marketplace as well as their anti-trust implications.

There is a relatively small, but growing diversity in agricultural markets through so-called specialty crops like organic fruits and vegetables, hops for the craft beer industry and the next generation of crops other than corn that may be used to create alternative fuels. These markets should be encouraged to enhance food security in the U.S. and greater economic opportunity for small farmers.

Americans should know where their food comes from. I will seek a compromise in Congress on so-called, Country of Origin Labeling for beef, pork and poultry. My opponent voted to end Country of Origin Labeling which only benefits the largest of America's meat processors -- including companies owned by the Chinese and Brazilians.

Source