Grainnet

Washington, DC—Directors for CHS Inc., a leading producer-owned energy, grains and foods company, are urging Congress to be aware of potential negative ramifications for agriculture and rural America as it considers climate change bills and other pending legislation.

“The ‘cap and trade’ model of climate change passed by the U.S. House of Representatives has serious consequences for farmers, ranchers and other rural residents,” said Michael Toelle, CHS Board chairman and a Browns Valley, MN, farmer.

“As structured, we believe it could jeopardize the viability of small refiners, including those owned by cooperatives like CHS, and could raise farmers’ production costs by $7 an acre each year.”

This marked the 20th consecutive year directors of the farmer-owned cooperative have spent a March week on Capitol Hill discussing issues affecting agriculture, co-ops and rural America.

From March 8-10, CHS directors called on 90 congressional offices.

CHS directors urged senators and representatives to end federal legislative and regulatory efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions.

If efforts proceed, they said Congress should ensure that refiners are not accountable for emissions from the fuel they produce, find an alternative to the costly and complex cap and trade credit auction system, and provide financial assistance to help agribusiness and small refiners comply.

The board members – who represent 1,000 member-owned cooperatives and 350,000 farmers and ranchers nationwide – also urged extensions for tax credits for renewable fuels and farmer-owned cooperative refineries.

In addition, they called for continued protection and support of the Capper-Volstead Act, a 1922 law which allows farmers and ranchers to join together in cooperative efforts.

During their week in Washington, CHS Board members met with U.S. Department of Agriculture staff and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on a wide range of agriculture and energy issues.

They also met with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to relay the CHS position on climate change regulations and other issues, as well as with U.S. Department of Justice staff to emphasize the value of the Capper-Volstead Act provides to the nation’s farmers and ranchers.

During the annual CHS dinner for agriculture and energy organization leaders, U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) discussed the prospects for climate change, health care and other issues on the congressional docket.

For more information, call 651-355-4946.

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• CHS Inc.

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