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Illinois Farm Bureau members gear up for policy debate

Illinois Farm Bureau members are preparing for policy debate.

President Rich Guebert says regardless of the policy issue, there’s one topic that remains top of mind for members.  “Property rights have been the holy grail of everything,” he says.  “Going back to the first years of Farm Bureau.  It’s really important we protect private property rights going forward.”  

AUDIO: Rich Guebert, IL Farm Bureau president

Delegates will also consider an update to the policy on Utilities and Pipelines.

Kevin Semlow, executive director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities says one change includes a temporary moratorium on the construction and operation of CO2 pipelines until the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) new federal safety standards are complete.  “In Illinois, we have some unique geology that allows us to store CO2 underground,” he says.  “That’s beneficial to some of those landowners because maybe they’ll make some money off of it.  But there is a lot of controversy around it because this is something that many consider a new science, but in reality, it isn’t that new.”

AUDIO: Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau

In total delegates will consider 23 policy submittals that touch on energy, forestry, farmland ownership, health care, food waste, USDA reporting and operations, and Farm Credit.  The policies that are adopted will help shape the organization’s lobbying efforts moving forward.