Fairness in Farming: Increased Transparency for Agricultural Promotion Programs
This act aims to enhance fairness and transparency in agricultural commodity promotion programs, known as "checkoff" programs. It prohibits the use of funds for lobbying and conflicts of interest, ensuring that farmers' money is spent as intended and not on activities that harm other producers. Citizens can expect more effective and equitable support for agriculture as a result.
Key points
Prohibits the use of "checkoff" program funds for lobbying and influencing government policy, protecting the interests of all farmers.
Establishes strict rules on conflicts of interest to prevent funds from being used to benefit select groups at the expense of others.
Requires full transparency of expenditures: all budgets and disbursements must be publicly available, allowing citizens to track how funds are spent.
Mandates regular audits of "checkoff" programs by independent bodies, such as the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture, to detect and prevent abuses.
Introduced
Citizen Poll