We write to you as development, faith-based and sustainable agriculture organizations concerned about the potential impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on food security and sustainable development in the member countries and around the world. Many of us work closely with partners in developing countries and have witnessed the devastating impacts of previous free trade agreements on small-scale farmers and their communities. We urge you to reject the TPP.
NFFC Fights for 2501 Program in Letter to President Obama
NFFC joined over 110 organizations in a letter to President Obama to restore funding for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in FY 2017.
NFFC President Urges House to Oppose HR 1599, DARK Act
For non-GMO farmers, H.R. 1599 would be disastrous as it would preempt laws designed to protect them from GMO contamination of their fields. Without strong regulations and oversight, farmers’ crops and livelihoods are at risk in ways that they, their families and their communities cannot afford.
NFFC and Affiliate Organizations Oppose the DARK Act
NFFC and 327 groups from around the nation wrote a letter to both the House and the Senate opposing the Deny Americans the Right-to-Know (DARK) Act. This legislation would deny states the right to require labeling of genetically modified food, would prevent the FDA from mandating GMO labeling in the future and would allow foods containing genetically engineered ingredients to be labeled “natural.” The Senate letter is listed below and you can find the House letter here.
NFFC Among Orgs Asking President Obama to Protect Pollinators
Groups raise concerns about neonicotinoids and their effects on bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Group Coalition Letter Opposing Changes to COOL
The undersigned 207 farm, ranch, rural, faith, labor, environmental, farmworker, manufacturing and consumer organizations urge the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee to reject any effort to weaken, suspend or rescind mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in the upcoming legislation to provide funding for the federal government for the remainder or part of Fiscal Year 2015.
Opposition to anti-GIPSA rider letter to House Appropriations
One hundred sixty eight organizations across the country signed onto a letter asking the House Appropriations Committee to oppose policy riders that inhibit GIPSA’s regulation and implementation authority.
Letter to House Appropriations regarding COOL funding levels
One hundred seventy-nine organizations signed onto a letter asking the House Appropriations committee to reject attempts to defund COOL through policy riders.
Letter to Senators Pryor and Blunt on Veteran Farmers
Forty-five organizations signed on to a letter urging Senators Pryor and Blunt to fully fund programs for veterans who are now in agriculture and the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison office during the current appropriations process.
Letter to Farm Bill Conferees advocating for COOL
Ninety six organizations signed on to this letter advocating that no changes be made to country of origin labeling (COOL) rules during the 2014 Farm Bill Conference. Please read it here 2014 Farm Bill Conferee COOL Letter
Trade
The faith, labor, family farm, consumer, environmental, human rights and social justice organizations within Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC) wrote Obama urging him to enact meaningful trade reform as his administration enters into negotiations for a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement (TPP). To learn more about the TPP, visit www.citizenstrade.org/tpp.php.