Hardwood Federation Urges Members to Act on Farm Bill

The Hardwood Federation, the wood products industry's Congressional lobbying group, is urging members to contact their legislators regarding the next Farm Bill.

In an email to members, the Hardwood Federation said H.R. 6083 would maintain funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, two programs important to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). The bill, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012, would authorize MAP funding of $200 million and FDM funding of $34.5 million, the same amounts authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.

"These programs keep the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) operating, and the vital services AHEC provides to the U.S. hardwood industry would be in danger of being terminated if funding is not approved," the Federation wrote. Dropping funding for AHEC, the Federation wrote, would put hardwood workers at a "substantial competitive disadvantage in the international marketplace."

To take action on the bill, visit www.bipac.net.