AFBF President: Agriculture’s Issues are not Partisan

The "important issues facing American agriculture are not red or blue, but they are critical to the prosperity of rural America and our ability to protect our nation's food supply," American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a statement congratulating President-elect Trump and the other candidates elected to serve during the 115th Congress.

Duvall said farmers and ranchers, who have too much at stake to take a back seat on Election Day, have high expectations of the incoming administration and Congress.

"Now it's time for our newly elected leaders to turn up for rural America and keep their campaign promises by addressing the issues that matter to the people who sent them to Washington. Farm Bureau looks forward to working with the new administration and Congress on issues such as the farm bill, tax reform and a trade agenda focused on reducing barriers and expanding exports," he said.

Just as farmers and ranchers work day in and day out to ensure a safe and sustainable food supply, elected officials should be as persistent in protecting U.S. agriculture by promoting innovation, ensuring an adequate workforce and prioritizing regulatory reform that boosts farm businesses rather than shutting them down, Duvall continued.

"Elected officials come to Washington with different perspectives and ideas, but they share a common goal of wanting to make our nation better for all Americans," Duvall said in closing. "At Farm Bureau, we will continue to do our part to help identify opportunities for cooperation to improve the lives of rural communities, and all American farmers and ranchers."