EXTON (Chester Co.) — Nine members of the Chester/Delaware Farmers’ Association took the annual legislative tour sponsored by the Pennsylvania Farmers’ Association (PFA) to Washington to visit their local congressman recently. Senator Arlen Spector spoke to the group at the breakfast meeting with the attendees. Congressman Richard Schulze addressed the group at their evening banquet Making the trip were directors Richard Breckbill, Oxford; Robert Lange, Malvern; and David Herr, Parkesburg; and members Charles Wollaston, Toughkenamon; Har old Martin, Oxford; Elmer Mast Parkesburg; Harold Kulp, Potts town; Albert Bartels, West Grove and Marshall Haws, Information Director. They visited the offices of Richard Schulze, Curt Weldon, and Robert Walker. The Farmers’ Association spokesmen covered priority issues that affect Chester County far mers. These issues included the proposed 1990 Farm Bill, includ ing acreage flexibility, freedom for farmers to respond to market conditions, competitiveness in the market place, and returning the dairy industry to a supply-demand balance. Congressmen were asked to shift emphasis from milk fat to VAL WATERING SYSTEMS m *%? • 360* Stainless Steel Trigger Pm •'Valve Body with Lett or Right J Type Connection Pat«m«4 □VALs i mu* «|| wT a milk solids basis if support prices are continued. Congressmen were also asked to oppose tax increases and sup port a spending freeze and capital gains protection for land, lives tock, and timber. They were also asked to restructure the Legal Ser vices Corporation so that the objective of the legislation is achieved without harrassing far mers and businessmen. Fanners pointed out that they and other self-supporting taxpay ers should be permitted to deduct 100 percent of their health insur ance costs to counter increasing health premiums. Fanners were told that bills have been introduced to make it a federal crime to disrupt, vandal ize, and destroy property and/or steal animals in the name of ani mal welfare. Additional legisla tion would extend these protec tions to farm or agricultural research facilities. The American Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farmers’ Associa tion, and local members have a vital interest in supporting a new farm bill that continues to promote competitiveness of our products, provides market orientation in the use of resources, and allows pro ducers to make marketing and production decisions, the Chester/ • Hemovabk holds as: togat • ORi • Statnlt! Ball St • Stamiej Triple Orlnkai Asaambl Cro«a-S«cl M SYCAMORE IND. PARK 255 PLANE TREE HEY EQUIPMENT Lancaster!pa i?6o3 COMPANY, INC. (717)393-5807 1 DitigMn Qiillty SyttiMi for Pwitry, Swim «nd 6nbi HinAing Farm Issues Addressed On Tour Delaware group explained to the Congressmen. The group supports the general direction of the 1985 farm bill. “I am concerned about agricul tural trade with non-market oriented economies,” Schulze told the group. It is difficult to trade with countries who follow a non market approach of subsidies for their farmers and other businesses. “At the general agreement on tar iff trade (GATT), the United States must negotiate from a posi tion of strength. “Sue years ago, the Soviets had little or no comprehension of pro fit as used in the United States. Currently, they seem to grasp the function and need for profit to organize their economic system.” In answer to a question about American loans to Russia, Schulze stated, “When the Rus sians trade with us, they have resources - oil and minerals as examples - to trade for our pro ducts. We do not need to make them loans of taxpayer’s funds. “Increases in the prices of resi dences, land, timber and livestock are due to inflation,” Schulze explained. People are being penal ized with a capital gains tax. If parents are forced to sell their home to pay hospital bills or other emergencies, they are burdened Wf * I FOR ALL YOUR WATERING NEEDS: * Broilers, Ducks L Pulletr Route 30 West at the Centerville Exit. with capital gains taxes. I would go further in reducing the tax on capital gains than the President is willing to accept. Punitive tax rates are a threat to all property owners - not just farmers. “Seventeen out of 23 Congress men from the Pennsylvania dele gation are co-sponsors of the Far mily Farm Preservation bill (HR 2336). We need the support of the press and state farm organiza tions,” Schulze said. Americans must be alerted to the inequities of taxing farm land and same as development land. The legislation initially defers estate taxes. As long as the land stays in agriculture, the estate tax will be phased out over a 30-year period. The legislation only applies to areas around urban cen ters. Robert Lange, Malvern, con tacted several members of the Ways and Means Committee. He was promised serious considera tion for his proposal. Spokespersons from around the state indicated that a majority of their congressmen either endorsed SAVKS MONIY Heats your homo and domestic hot water (save to 25% of electric bill) No need for building or chimney SAfl Furnace sits outside eliminates fire danger and flue fire forever CHAW No smoke, wood, ashes, dust in the home COMVIWHWT Load furnace every 10-12 hours burns logs up to 16" in diameter, 30" in length A'VttQUIMCHf **M* te IiM.M «* 11 ewHw> *et« > wm etiwm r AKMDtS > .. St««iN>y W*n»»l« Jr. . o<WHM^Con#r#t*er Memw*e«Ce*le«t; tmtu.tmtm.rA )Mit or were not opposed to the posi tions presented by members of the PFA. Congressmen agreed that the excesses of the Legal Services Corporation must be curbed. They agreed to address the inequities that presently exist in the federal wetlands regulations and application. The spirit of spending cuts and tax cuts permiated the discussions. While the 1990 Farm Bill is still in the discussion stage, they appre ciated the comments and sugges tions of the fanners association members. While it is recognized that not all objectives of the association policy may be adopted because of the political process, Chester/ Delaware farmers appreciated the time and consideration given them by the congressmen and their office assistants. The members felt that they had been provided a hearing for their concerns and that the congressmen would apply their concerns in the deliberations on the upcoming legislation. f X Ea,l| y TliiliiHlV i Connects 1 1 | ' Forced Air/ WCMMooI HofWot „ Systems Perfect For • NiwNmin • Existing Hemes • Swimming Peels • Greenheuse • Sern • Mltkheuse • Office • ivslness Pieces All Stainless Steel Thermostat Controlled
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