16.7 Roles of the States

NASDA’s members, perhaps not surprisingly, view the role of the states as a critical element of any federal agricultural policy.  Enough so, that the role of the states is worthy of special comment in this introduction.

Competing priorities and increasing demand for resources, combined with consumers’ demands and the need for a level playing field for producers, mean that the old way of doing things has to be re-examined.  Nowhere is this more true than in the area of regulatory implementation and program and service delivery.   States can play a key role in making the delivery of services to producers and the protection of consumers more efficient and effective.  

States already play an indispensable role in the regulation of pesticides, for example.  It is largely up to the states to regulate pesticide licenses and certifications, to protect groundwater resources, endangered species and agricultural workers.  States are relied upon to conduct inspections, and provide technical assistance.   This system provides a valuable model for other policy areas – from new priorities such as food safety, to more traditional areas such as the delivery of program services.  Indeed, state departments of agriculture are close to the producers and can provide a much needed front-line common sense practicality to implementing federal programs and applying federal regulations.

To be successful, however, such a program must be based on certain principles of partnership.  First, it must be clear that federal-state partnerships do not become new unfunded federal mandates on the states.  Because states can enhance the efficiency of certain federal programs, it does not follow that states can — nor should they — shoulder the fiscal responsibility of federal initiatives.  Second, the partnership must be based on recognition that each party has certain capabilities, authorities, and responsibilities that are mutually beneficial.  Third, partnerships must be built to accomplish certain goals and priorities.  Using these principles as guideposts, NASDA members believe there is an expanded role for effective federal-state partnerships in agricultural policy.

Using these guiding principles, NASDA members have developed the following policy statements.  These are NASDA’s operational, working policies that guide our efforts to influence  the development and implementation of sound policy and programs at all levels and branches of the federal government.