16.3 Guiding Principles

NASDA’s policy process is guided by six principles designed to be the guidelines for a comprehensive, coordinated, agricultural policy.  We urge federal policy makers to adopt similar guidelines.


  • Profitability and Viability
    Last updated: September 20, 2011

    A financially healthy and profitable agricultural sector is essential to the production of a safe, fresh, and affordable food supply. Moreover, economically viable farming and ranching enterprises will enable producers to increase their efforts to maintain a healthy environment, protect our natural resources, and build stronger rural communities.

     

     

  • Level Playing Field
    Last updated: September 20, 2011

    A financially healthy and competitive agricultural economy can only result from a fair marketplace — domestic and global — where efficient, productive farmers and ranchers have economic marketing and bidding power commensurate to their assets and production capabilities.

  • Non-Trade Distorting
    Last updated: September 20, 2011

     

    American producers are among the most efficient in the world.  Open international — and domestic — markets would not only benefit U.S. producers, but are a foundation upon which U.S. agriculture relies.  Thus, NASDA’s recommended polices are intended to be market-based and non-trade distorting, which means that certain safeguards may be pursued, such as access to information and reasonable but certain anti-trust enforcement.

  • Flexibility in Regulation
    Last updated: September 20, 2011

    One size does not fit all.  Government policies and programs should be flexible, and to the maximum extent possible, based on voluntary participation through incentive-based approaches.  While regulations should be appropriately based on national goals, they should also be controlled and implemented at the state level.

  • Sound Science
    Last updated: September 20, 2011

    The foundation of the agricultural sector has long been the development and adoption of science-based practices derived from reliable data and information.  As business people, agricultural producers have looked to science for the best information possible to make decisions.  Sound, peer-reviewed science policies and methodologies for assessing risk must be the standard for government regulations and international trading rules.

  • Maximum Delivery Through States
    Last updated: September 20, 2011

    New and expanded programs should emphasize the role of states in terms of delivery.  Particular emphasis should be placed on partnerships and pilot projects.