In general, the League believes government should provide financial support for agriculture that includes disaster assistance, crop insurance (with limits on premium subsidies to larger farms), need-based loans and incentives to adopt the best management practices. Support should be extended to specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts; to new production methods, such as organic, hydroponic and urban practices; and to farms that supply local and regional markets.

Highlights of the remaining provisions include:

Increased competition in agricultural markets, enforcement of antitrust laws and alternative marketing systems such as regional hub markets, farmers markets and farmer cooperatives;

Application of clean air and water regulations to all animal and aquaculture production and processing facilities; small operations should not be granted automatic exemption;

Adequate authority and funding of relevant regulatory agencies;

Government funding of transparent, basic agricultural research including the impact of new technologies, such as genetic engineering, prior to widespread adoption;

Funding of research to support diversified and sustainable systems, such as seed banking and genetic diversity.

Regarding safety of our food supply, government should:

Limit use of antibiotics in animal production to treatment of disease;

Promote crop management practices that decrease dependency on added chemicals;

Clarify and enforce premarket testing requirements for food and food additives developed using any new chemical technology, such as genetic engineering or other nanotechnologies;

Require follow-up monitoring and fund third-party risk assessment.

The League supports the government developing and requiring more informative and standardized definitions on product labeling. Food labeling and advertising should display only approved health and safety claims and an accurate representation of the required ingredient and nutrition lists. The League supports consumer education about labeling of foods developed using any new technology.

Marilyn T. Brown, League of Women Voters of La Plata County

Durango