Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation News Release--November 21, 2005

CONTACT: Kerin Clark, WyFB Media and Member Relations Director, 307.532.2002 orkclark@wyfb.org; Perry Livingston, WyFB President, 307.283.2858; Ken Hamilton, WyFB Executive Vice President, 307.721.7712 or khamilton@wyfb.org

             Wyoming Farm Bureau sets policy for coming year

             Laramie--COOL, eminent domain, instream flow and capital tax gains were among the issues discussed at the 86^th annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB).  Held in mid-November, the meeting is an important step in the grassroots policy development process of Farm Bureau.  Voting delegates gathered in Casper to discuss resolutions that had surfaced at the county level. 

            �Those resolutions that passed have become part of our policy book and, along with previous policy, will guide the work of our organization for the next year,� Ken Hamilton, WyFB executive vice president, said. 

            �There was a lively discussion on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL),� Hamilton continued.  �While our members did not change our fundamental philosophy on mandatory labeling, they felt the rules should consider all red meats so we don�t create a competitive disadvantage.�

            The adopted policy calls for all supporters of U.S. born, raised and processed beef to work to establish guidelines; requirements and production; feeding, processing; and marketing channels to place such labeled beef in the marketplace.  Voting delegates also amended existing policy on COOL to say that labeling should include blended and whole muscle cuts and all meats sold at retail and food service levels.

            Regarding eminent domain, Farm Bureau members are requesting that the Wyoming Legislature define the terms �Public Use� and �Public Benefit� in the eminent domain statutes.

            �In the wake of the Kelo case, we need to ensure that land cannot be taken for private economic development in Wyoming,� Perry Livingston, WyFB President, said. 

            Farm Bureau members are also asking that penalties be established by the Wyoming Legislature for those who neglect to act in good faith regarding condemnation in eminent domain negotiations.

            In water issues, Farm Bureau opposes the delegation of authority for pursuing instream flow applications from the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

            �Our members feel that the Game and Fish Commission should have the authority on instream applications,� Livingston said.  �The consensus is that this would allow the public more opportunity for input.�

            Voting delegates expressed concern over cloud seeding, but felt that the research project should continue.

            �Tax issues are always a priority discussion for Farm Bureau members,� Livingston continued.

            Delegates reaffirmed policy supporting the National Retail Tax Act (known as the Fair Tax).  This Act would eliminate all taxes and implement a national sales tax.

            Delegates also passed a resolution urging the Wyoming Department of Revenue and Wyoming Board of Equalization to work to enhance the uniformity of taxation of agricultural property.

            Farm Bureau estate tax policy was amended to address the basis for capital gains taxes.  Farm Bureau policy opposes the �Estate tax� (also known as the �death tax�).  Delegates amended the policy to support stepped-up basis at time of death to address capital gains tax issues.

            �The discussion focused on the impact the capital gains tax could have on a family operation that has been passed on for generations,� Hamilton explained.  �The capital gains taxes could be as significant to the operation, or more so, than estate tax implications.�

            �The members have given us the direction for the coming year,� Hamilton concluded.  �We will begin working immediately to implement these policies.�

            The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state�s largest general agriculture organization.  On the web, www.wyfb.org.

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