Opportunity Keeps Growing for Nebraska Agriculture

During National Agriculture Week, we recognize the crucial roles of farmers, ranchers and producers across America. In Nebraska, agriculture supports one in four jobs and contributes more than $23 billion to our state's economy. I am very proud to represent Nebraska's Third District, named by the Census of Agriculture as the number one agriculture district in the nation.

Our global economy presents great opportunity. Ninety-five percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States, and they all need to eat. As a result, we are seeing growing demand for Nebraska agriculture products. Our state's beef exports reached a record high $1 billion in sales in the first 11 months of 2014.

This demand will only continue to grow. Seven billion people inhabit the Earth today, but that number is projected to reach at least nine billion by 2050. Additionally, the United Nations estimates 66 percent of people will reside in cities or urban areas by 2050, compared to 54 percent currently. Not only will we need to continue increasing crop yields to feed the world, but we must pursue policies which encourage a new generation of producers.

As founder and co-chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, I am committed to promoting scientifically-based policies to move agriculture forward and involving my urban colleagues in the discussion. Educating lawmakers about the issues our farmers face helps us advance sensible policies. We must not allow misperceptions and unproven theories to undermine sound science and advances in agriculture.

Feeding a growing population with fewer inputs and less waste is only possible through the efficiency and forward-thinking of our producers. To encourage further advances, we must get the government out of the way of innovation. I am continuing my Regulation Rewind initiative to identify and address government-imposed barriers to farming success.

While rolling back burdensome regulations, we are also working to open new export opportunities for American agriculture products. In fact, the ability to advance Nebraska agriculture through trade is a primary reason I sought a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee. As we pursue Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which empowers Congress to direct and provide oversight on trade negotiations, we must work with our trade partners to lower tariffs and reduce non-tariff barriers such as unscientific restrictions on biotechnology crops. Establishing internationally-recognized standards for the safety and nutrition of agriculture products will help level the playing field for America's producers.

Nebraska agriculture has many challenges and opportunities ahead. Our producers, who have a work ethic second to none, deserve nothing less than a government which stays out of the way of their innovative success and pursues policies to provide them with more opportunity worldwide. As National Agriculture Week draws to a close, please join me in thanking our farmers for their contributions to our well-being and our rural economy.

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