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Posted on  

March 21, 2003

Time to get serious about renewable fuels

By Gene Johnston
Managing Editor
Successful Farming

Illinois Farm Bureau President Ron Warfield, a Gibson City, Illinois, farmer, says there may be one positive thing to come out of the war with Iraq. It may be the event that "wakes us up to the potential of renewable fuels" like ethanol and biodiesel. "We have become very dependent on foreign oil from some very unstable parts of the world," he says.

"The war illustrates what an impact that can have. When farmers go to the field this spring, they can know that we are utlizing our 'fields of energy' when we plant corn and soybeans. Maybe positive policy on renewable fuels can come form this. While that will be good for the nation, it will also help farmers get more of their income from the marketplace."

First and foremost, Warfield emphasizes, as we go to war America's farmers are concerned about our country and national security. "We're all praying that the war will be quick, and peace will come soon." Other war issues impacting agriculture, such as proposed federal spending cuts and world trade implications, come secondary to the concerns for our troops and our country.

Earlier this month, the House proposed a 2004 federal budget that included spending cuts on farm programs of about 14% from what was committed in last year's farm bill. The American Farm Bureau immediately went on record opposing those cuts; Warfield says the fact that we are now at war does not change that stance.

"For one, the reductions in farm spending are relatively small, compared to the entire federal budget. We won't fight this war with what we can save on the farm program. But more important, we spent 3 years putting this farm bill together, now we can't just go back and change it in a knee-jerk reaction. That would be bad policy."

Besides, farmers are already feeling the effects of war due to increased energy costs. "We were lucky on my farm that we got our anhydrous paid for in the fall," Warfield says. "Now, it's 50-75% higher [due to the world energy situation]. Those inc reased costs are another reason not to reduce the farm safety net."

Warfield, who also is a member of the executive committee of the American Farm Bureau, says the strained relations that war has put between the US and some European countries could impact our farm trade with those nations. "It would be a mistake if we let this alter our course on trade negotiations with our natural allies," he says. "We need to stay the course on the issues that are intended to level the playing field in world trade.

"And I think this war should teach us a lesson about trade sanctions. For 12 years, we've had trade sanctions against Iraq, and if you look at where we are now, what did it accomplish? I hope we remember this in the future in regards to trade sanctions." 03/20/2003 12:05 p.m.CDT
 

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