Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

Values

Agriculture is an integral part of Southwest Virginia's economy and heritage. Virginia's agriculture industry is by far the largest industry in the Commonwealth, generating $55 billion annually and providing more than 357,000 jobs. It is also the largest industry in the Ninth Congressional District.

We must preserve and protect the health and vitality of this industry and avoid unnecessary and burdensome regulations that are not based on sound science or have failed to undergo comprehensive economic impact studies.
Believes in the importance of thorough and accurate information relating to food and reasonable food safety regulations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six Americans gets sick from food-borne illnesses each year. Eating contaminated food causes 5,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

Believes the tradition of hunting and fishing is a part of Virginia's rich heritage and the Virginia Constitution. I recognize the need to preserve hunting and fishing as one of the great traditions of this nation. It should be done in a manner that meets the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship.

Actions

Member of the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus. The Ninth Congressional District boasts 311 dairy farms and maintains dairy sales with a value of $54 million. The caucus is active in pursuing policies that provide relief to farmers domestically and encourages trade policies that allow American dairy products to compete in foreign markets. The dairy industry has encountered financial stress over the past few years and as Congress debates the upcoming Farm Bill, proposals to reform existing dairy policies will play a prominent role.

Sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, expressing disapproval over the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule on the marketing of livestock and poultry. When making rules and regulations, agencies must ensure that public feedback is taken into account and a proper economic impact analysis is completed. Furthermore, agencies must not use their regulatory reach to take actions that have been explicitly rejected by Congress, as exemplified by this case.

Hosted a Ninth District roundtable on sheep and goat production. At the end of the day, the solutions to some of the complex issues we face can be found locally. In an effort to seek out ways to expand local agriculture sectors, I will continue to engage with folks in the District on the challenges we face in maximizing the value of our resources in an economically efficient and responsible manner.

Supports the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011 (H.R. 1581), which would release Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) lands recommended by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as not suitable for wilderness designation. This would allow for commercial use, motorized access, and the construction of roads and structures on these lands.

Supports the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act of 2011 (H.R. 2541), which would prevent EPA from overreaching and placing an undue burden on the timber harvesting industry. The current regulatory scheme governing the harvest of timber, including runoff from forest roads, has been very successful, and this is a matter that should be left to the states.
Voted for the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 1633), which prohibits the EPA from proposing, finalizing, implementing or enforcing any regulations on dust from farms, dirt roads, and other activities typically occurring in rural areas.

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